Welcome back to our weekly roundup of happenings from XR and AI realms. Let’s dive in…
The Lede
Augmented World Expo 2026 reflected an industry that has largely moved beyond VR headsets to AI-powered smart glasses and spatial AI. Snap unveiled its consumer Specs glasses, while XREAL introduced Aura, an Android XR device powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Reality Elite chip. Qualcomm, Google, NVIDIA and dozens of ecosystem partners focused on wearable AI, on device processing, robotics and world models. More than 5,000 attendees, 250 exhibitors and 400 speakers gathered in Long Beach, where hardware, AI and spatial computing dominated the conversation.
Feeling Spatial
Snap introduced the consumer version of Specs, its standalone augmented reality glasses, at AWE. Scheduled to ship this fall for $2,195, the glasses feature dual Snapdragon processors, a 51 degree field of view, hand tracking, AI assistance, removable prescription inserts and up to four hours of mixed use battery life. CEO Evan Spiegel described Specs as a computer designed to understand the world around the wearer rather than pull users away from it. Preorders opened during the conference.
XREAL unveiled Aura, lightweight Android XR glasses developed with Google and Qualcomm. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite processor, Aura weighs under 100 grams and features a 70 degree optical see through display. The device is designed to run Google’s Android XR operating system and supports AI powered spatial applications. Reservations opened during AWE, with commercial availability planned for later this year.
Follow the Money
Sony Invests $100 Million in Cosm. Sony Pictures Entertainment has invested $100 million in immersive venue operator Cosm. The investment gives Sony Pictures CEO Ravi Ahuja a seat on Cosm’s board and supports the expansion of the company’s “Shared Reality” venues, which combine massive wraparound LED domes with live sports, concerts and immersive entertainment. Cosm currently operates venues in Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta, with Detroit and Cleveland planned next. Sony said the partnership will help extend its film and television franchises into location based immersive experiences.
Adobe Acquires Topaz Labs. Adobe has agreed to acquire Topaz Labs, whose AI-powered software is widely used for image upscaling, video enhancement, and photo restoration. Adobe said Topaz technology will be integrated into Firefly, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro while Topaz products will continue to be offered as standalone applications. The acquisition is expected to close during the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Google Invests in A24. Google DeepMind has made a $75 million investment in independent studio A24 as part of a multi year research partnership focused on AI filmmaking tools. The agreement is Google’s first equity investment in a film studio. According to both companies, the collaboration will develop AI assisted production and distribution tools while leaving creative control with filmmakers. The deal does not include access to A24’s film library.
The AI Desk
Midjourney Enters Healthcare, Faces Early Questions. Midjourney has launched a new medical imaging division, extending its AI technology beyond creative image generation into healthcare and biomedical imaging. The company says the effort will support medical visualization through an AI powered ultrasound scanner that captures thousands of conventional ultrasound images and reconstructs them into an interactive 3D model of the body. The goal is to provide a faster, lower cost, radiation free alternative for some types of anatomical imaging and wellness screening. The announcement marks Midjourney’s first major move into healthcare, but public details remain limited and no commercial products or deployment timeline have been announced. Medical experts interviewed by The Verge questioned the company’s claims, citing the lack of published evidence, clinical validation, and the physical limitations of ultrasound imaging. Midjourney says its initial product is intended for wellness rather than diagnosis.
Spatial Audio
This column has a companion, the AI/XR Podcast, hosted by its author, Charlie Fink; Ted Schilowitz, former studio executive and futurist for Paramount and Fox; and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap and Synthbee AI.
Last week’s episode was held live on the AWE main stage, which you can see below. This week, our guest this week is Eline van der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle 6, an AI production company that introduced an AI actress, Tilly Norwood.
Episodes drop on Tuesdays, and you can find them on podcasting platforms Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
Charlie Fink is the producer and co-host of the AI/XR Podcast and teaches at Chapman University and ASU. Fink is the producer of the vertical gen AI social media series, “Linda’s Last Podcast” (2026) and serves as CEO of Cinemation.AI, an AI animation studio he co-founded with film director Rob Minkoff, whose vertical anime series, Speed Queen, is in pre-production. He is the author of the critically acclaimed AR-enabled books Charlie Fink’s Metaverse (2017), Convergence, Or How the World Will Be Painted With Data (2019), and the upcoming AI, The End of Hollywood, and What Comes Next.