Global Scans · Augmented Reality · Weekly Summary

• [New] By shifting focus to lightweight AI glasses - targeting a 2026 launch - Apple is acknowledging what many of us in the trenches already knew: the future of augmented reality lies in everyday wearability, not immersive isolation. Medium
• [New] Hardware Evolution: Lightweight AR glasses priced under $300 are slated for 2027, making everyday overlay of digital information as normal as checking a smartwatch. DexViews
• [New] By 2025 and beyond, augmented reality navigation will move from nice-to-have to standard expectation in airports, malls, hospitals, and smart cities. The Intellify -
• [New] Integration with AR Glasses: Devices like Apple Vision Pro or Meta's AR glasses could make AR navigation hands-free and more natural. The Intellify -
• [New] Asia-Pacific will post the fastest growth during 2025-2034, with a CAGR of 34.8% billion by the end of the forecast period, fueled by leadership in AI + IoT and AI + AR integration. Yahoo Finance
• [New] In the retail industry, brands like IKEA use AR to help customers visualize how furniture will look in their homes before purchasing. Journal
• By the 2030s, AR could exceed $300 billion, fueling a surge in demand for AR-driven applications across sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and entertainment. Imagine.io
• AR and VR technologies could contribute $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with marketing and customer engagement being among the largest areas of application. Yahoo Finance
• 80% of retailers will incorporate AR into their customer engagement strategy by 2025, with more than half of retailers planning new investments in AR/VR within two years. Emerline
• XR industry trends 2025 will see the expansion of XR technology beyond the typical large VR headsets and AR glasses. Roundtable Learning
• By 2025, AR and VR headsets will become lighter, more comfortable, and offer higher-resolution displays. Euphoria XR
• By 2025, the high-speed, low-latency capabilities of 5G will allow for more complex AR and VR applications, enabling seamless multiplayer gaming, remote collaboration, and large-scale AR events. Euphoria XR
• By 2025, AR avatars will become integral to digital interactions, allowing users to create lifelike, real-time representations of themselves for business meetings, social interactions, and customer service. Euphoria XR
• Car manufacturers like Tesla, Audi, and BMW are already exploring AR head-up displays, which will make driving safer and more intuitive. Euphoria XR
• Data from Statista shows that AR and VR user penetration will surpass 1.2 billion globally by 2026, indicating substantial appetite beyond niche markets. Vasile Crudu
• Amazon is reportedly developing consumer AR glasses, codenamed Jayhawk, for release in 2026-2027. MarketingProfs
• Gamified learning in 2026 will include AI, VR and AR in the learning environments, setting new benchmarks in immersive learning experiences. Tekstac
• Thanks to generative AI capabilities, users will soon be able to generate their own content to navigate in VR and AR environments. Communications of the ACM

Last updated: 12 October 2025