This week, PICO continued its hot streak of innovation by announcing new support for upcoming XR developers who want to self-publish and distribute free and paid applications via its popular Developer Console.
PICO notes how the move looks to embolden its content ecosystem with services from seasoned to emerging developers through a framework of transparent review standards and efficient processes, enabling timely application delivery.
The enhanced support system includes the PICO Developer Centre, Emulator, and a series of compatible SDKS from third-party service providers such as Unity and Unreal; Yao Shuai, Head of Ecosystem at PICO XR, explained:
At PICO, we are opening our platform for self-publishing and providing comprehensive support. We’re not just launching a new feature; we’re fostering a vibrant community where every developer, regardless of size, can bring their unique vision to life and connect with a global audience.
PICO compiled some thoughts from its ecosystem of developers, including the developers behind First Person Tennis, who said, “Thanks to PICO, I had the opportunity to bring my game to an even wider audience, reaching players in China as well. Launching on PICO also allowed me to collaborate with major Chinese companies and organise public events at tennis tournaments in China, putting my game directly into the hands of enthusiasts.”
Moreover, the Developers of Visit Madeira and Visit Faroe Islands said:
When I decided to go to the PICO store, I was not looking forward to it. How wrong I was! My first surprise was that after porting my app to the Pico 4 Ultra headset, my app was vastly faster. Transitions between the scenes are non-existent, the app just feels right.
“As an indie developer, I must highlight PICO’s exceptional support: their platform features an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface, rapid and efficient service support, streamlined app distribution, and most importantly, a genuinely fair recommendation system,” noted the developer of SwordTrip.
Finally, the developer of GoGoFight said:
From the PICO 3 to today’s PICO Ultra, indie developers can develop, test, and even monetize content directly on PICO devices with PDC tools, forming a self-sustaining ecosystem—no longer just “powered by passion” but truly “powered by possibility.
PICO Announces New Hardware
PICO has announced two significant MR/VR headset lineup updates: the Motion Tracker Waist Version and the PICO 4 Ultra OS 5.13.0 update. These releases come as PICO celebrates its 10th anniversary, coinciding with the expansion of XR offerings from companies like Meta, Apple, Samsung, and Varjo as we move into the second half of 2025.
The Motion Tracker Waist Version was launched during a VRChat-exclusive virtual event and is primarily aimed at the large-scale social gaming market. This new device enhances the existing full-body tracking framework by incorporating waist data, resulting in smoother VR user interactions, especially in sitting or lying positions.
The Motion Tracker Waist Version is compatible with the PICO 4 Ultra and PICO 4 headsets and offers additional support for PCVR applications through the Connect service. PICO is making it available via Amazon, starting at €49.99 / £39.99.
PICO 4 Ultra OS 5.13.0 Update
PICO also recently debuted OS version 5.13.0 for the PICO 4 Ultra headset. The move enhances the headset’s usability, performance, and immersion, the firm states.
The improvements come via new tools, including panoramic screen workspace optimisation, which could greatly assist productivity use cases for the PICO headset.
The update gives panoramic screen workspaces greater flexibility over the distance and position of a virtual window application; this boosts multitasking efficiency for work, entertainment, or creative projects, PICO says.
Another new feature of OS 5.13.0 is a 2D-to-spatial photo conversion that, like Apple’s spatial photo tools, allows users to turn 2D images into 3D ones that they can explore via an immersive device. This feature also includes iPhone 16 spatial photo compatibility.
New Enterprise Leadership
As new updates, developer considerations, and hardware come, PICO looks to cement its enterprise leadership as it celebrates its tenth year. To do so, PICO announced Enterprise OS 5.13, which optimises Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) features and large-scale business XR deployments.
LeLand Hedges, the Head of Enterprise Business at PICO XR US & EMEA of PICO XR, noted:
During the entire 10 years we have had the same business model and approach to market: a purchase of a PICO XR Enterprise HMD includes a commercial license and complete control over what additional services you choose to install to manage your devices.
Pico Enterprise OS 5.13 introduces a range of updates specifically designed for VR and MR users, including:
- Enhanced support for manually switching to the V2 tracking algorithm improves mapping and positioning for LBE.
- New tools for drawing and exporting obstacles, allowing users to set up play boundaries effectively.
- A quick reset feature has been added to streamline application testing and quality assurance.
- A tracking node now enables the simultaneous tracking of controllers and gestures in third-party applications.
- The VST algorithm has been optimised, resulting in better video quality in low-light conditions and more natural lighting distribution.
- Hand-tracking features have been improved, with reduced latency, fewer false touches, enhanced gesture accuracy, support for prolonged sitting or lying down, and smoother full-body animation.
- Additionally, this update follows the recent enhancements made to Business Device Manager 1.6.0 by PICO XR. The manager now supports the deployment of OBB and ROM file types and offers improved tools for managing a fleet of VR/MR devices.
Hedges also noted:
As of last year we also released the PICO Business Device Manager as an optional value added service. Partners have aways been able to operate a fleet of PICO Enterprise devices without requiring specific unique/verified identification which ensures the maximum user privacy.
PICO is going full steam ahead with its hardware and software ecosystem. With its most recent further assistance given to its developer community, the leading firm is building a solid foundation for XR’s future.
