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Back on home soil in Italy after my CES adventure, and what an experience it was! I can hardly wrap my head around attending such a colossal event. I arrived home with every muscle in my body aching, but it was all worth it. From a blogger’s, enthusiast’s, and entrepreneur’s perspective, every part of me is buzzing with excitement. Naturally, the highlight of this weekly roundup is going to be CES, but there’s plenty of other intriguing news outside the event that caught my attention. Let’s dive into it! (Apologies for the delay in releasing this newsletter—I was swamped with tasks post-Vegas.)
Top News of the Week
A Spotlight on XR at CES
Standing as possibly the largest tech spectacle of the year, CES did not disappoint, especially with a section dedicated entirely to XR technologies and companies. It was a real treat to see familiar faces from the XR community mingling amidst the vast crowd, affirming that while XR might still occupy a niche, it’s a thriving one. Smartglasses took center stage, seamlessly blending with AI innovations like the pictured Ray-Ban Meta and the compact display of Halliday’s glasses. Goertek, a leader in XR manufacturing, astounded us with new reference designs for AR and smart glasses, projecting even more such launches in the future. There might not have been any jaw-dropping announcements per se, but companies like NVIDIA and Sony offered exciting XR-related insights during their CES keynotes.
NVIDIA’s unveiling of the RTX 50 graphics cards promises a leap in PCVR performance, although the price of the 5090 at $2000 might make some balk. They also announced the arrival of their cloud gaming service Geforce Now on Quest, Pico, and Apple Vision Pro, allowing for flatscreen gaming on massive virtual setups. Meanwhile, Sony introduced XYN, new software and hardware for creatives, although specifics remain sparse. Their latest headset iteration, showcased as an improvement on Sony’s pro-level headset, still can’t be tried by the public, keeping us guessing about how all the pieces fit together. It’s uplifting, however, to see Sony’s firm commitment to XR and digital innovations.
Alongside HDMI’s impressive 2.2 standard announcement with its vast 96Gb/s bandwidth, one can’t help but wonder if headsets might revert to utilizing this type of connection. Over at CES, I had the chance to explore and test some standout devices including the Shiftall MeganeX SuperLight 8K, Ray-Ban Meta, and Pimax Crystal Super. Among all, the Play For Dream headset truly impressed, with a detailed review in the pipeline. Amanda Watson shared my enthusiasm, naming it her standout at the event—which was my first time meeting her, and she’s incredible. For those who missed CES, fear not! I recorded a full tour video of the XR area, linked below for your viewing pleasure. In summary, while it wasn’t a spectacular CES for XR, it certainly held its own.
- More info on Sony enterprise headset pricing
- Learn more about Sony’s XYN announcement
- Details on NVIDIA and AMD’s offerings
- Geforce Now’s expansion to XR headsets via Road To VR | via Upload VR
- Applause for the Play For Dream headset at CES
- Hands-on with Pimax Crystal Super
- Inside the Ray-Ban Meta, and AI integration
- Exploring Attention Labs and 2Pi Optics
- Shiftall MeganeX Superlight 8K and FlipVR controllers tested
- Shiftall’s Quest Touch controller module
- Insights on Halliday smartglasses
- Goertek’s new smartglasses designs
- HDMI 2.2 Update
- CES XR tour video
- Discussion on CES in XR with Tyriel Wood
Other Relevant News
Meta Quest 3S Tops Amazon’s Charts in 2024
Here’s a piece of news that warmed my heart: Meta Quest 3S claimed the spot as the best-selling console on Amazon US for all of 2024. And this isn’t just a VR-specific accolade—we’re talking about every gaming console out there. Achieving this feat despite launching in October is impressive! Data indicates a stellar holiday season for the Quest 3S. From topping Apple App Store charts with the Meta Horizon companion app to doubling in-game activity for Batman Arkham Shadow, it’s clear the Quest 3S saw significant holiday demand.
While it’s a stretch to claim VR hit mainstream status over the holidays, the uptick indicates VR continues making strides during gift-giving seasons, netting numerous new users, which can only be positive.
- Quest 3S’s success story on Amazon US
- Holiday spike in Batman players
- VR user stats over the holiday season
Meta Phases Out Quest Pro
In a move few might mourn, Meta has discontinued its Quest Pro, the company’s prosumer headset. Head to Meta’s site, and you’ll find a prompt nudging you towards the Quest 3 instead. However, their Touch Pro controllers remain available as they’re compatible with other Quest headsets. Frankly, the Quest Pro’s initial launch felt rushed, fueled by competitive tension with the Vision Pro, leaving behind an overpriced and unfinished product. Initially launched at $1500, poor sales soon led to a price drop to $1000, even leading Meta to offer the headset en masse at a Roblox event in lieu of traditional keyring giveaways.
While the end seemed inevitable, the Quest Pro’s unique eye and face tracking stood out, particularly for research purposes. Interestingly, just days post-discontinuation, a leak regarding ASUS’s upcoming headset featuring similar tracking capabilities emerged. This appears to strategically hint at continuity in Meta’s ecosystem for those features.
- Meta Quest Pro’s farewell via Road To VR | Upload VR
News Worth a Mention
ASUS’s VR Headset: A New Contender
Fresh off the rumor mill courtesy of the leaker Luna, ASUS’s upcoming VR headset under the code name Tarius is set to feature both eye and face tracking. Expected to utilize either QD-LCD with local dimming or micro OLED displays, this information is scant but promising, signaling progress in third-party HorizonOS headsets.
Infinite Reality’s $3 Billion Milestone
Infinite Reality is making waves with a whopping $3 billion investment to enhance its WebXR-supportive immersive web content engine. This eye-popping figure has taken the XR community by storm, particularly given it mirrors nearly half of OpenAI’s recent funding round. What’s jaw-dropping is that this monumental sum comes from a single private investor, presumably from the Middle East. It begs the question: Where do I find such generous benefactors? Meanwhile, I can’t even snag a free lunch…
VR Walking from a Supine Position?
This week’s proverbial “What The F” video comes from a research project that allows participants to walk in VR while laying supine, using cycling motions to propel themselves forward. It’s an ab-intensive exercise, leaving one pondering simply, “But why?”
Empowering the Visually Impaired: DotLumen’s Revolutionary Project
DotLumen’s innovative efforts to assist blind individuals have caught my attention. Their headset, designed specifically for the visually impaired, scans the surrounding environment and directs the user on a safe path, helping them steer clear of obstacles. This development could revolutionize mobility for those with visual challenges.
Quest 3S Gets a Discount
Meta isn’t slowing down, rolling out a special discount on the 256GB Quest 3S—knocking $50 off its price, while still bundling it with Batman Arkham Shadow. Though initially unique to Meta’s site, many retailers have followed suit. It seems the larger storage version may not have sold as well as its more economic counterpart during the festive season, prompting Meta to boost its sales appeal.
Sanzaru’s Next Big Venture
Sanzaru Games, creators of the Asgard’s Wrath series, have dropped their final content update for Asgard’s Wrath 2. Now, the team is shifting gears, teasing fresh projects brimming with “AWESOME stuff.” Is mixed reality, perhaps closer to Meta’s vision, part of their plans? Color me intrigued.
Content News
- Boneworks is making its way to Quest 3, courtesy of Stress Level Zero.
- Synth Riders entertains with its ’80s Mixtape Side B, pulling a few nostalgic heartstrings.
- Human Within, a narrative-driven exploration of AI’s societal impact, is now on Quest for €18.
- Shardfall: FitQuest VR, perfect for fitness enthusiasts, has launched on Quest.
- Detective VR, a mixed reality story-driven investigation game by a renowned development team, hits Quest 3 platforms in late February.
- Chrono Weaver offers time-traveling puzzle challenges in VR, available on Quest and Steam at €23.
- I Am Security rises to fame as a top-selling Quest app after its recent update.
- Dawn of Jets, a VR aerial combat game with a tactile cockpit, entered early access on Quest.
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Virtual Hunter, an immersive PC VR hunting experience, unfolds its full release on January 15.
- More on Boneworks | Synth Riders Details | Deep Dive: Human Within | Fitness with Shardfall: FitQuest VR | Detective VR’s Launch | Explore Chrono Weaver | Top Spot: I Am Security | Flight Experience: Dawn Of Jets | Virtual Hunter’s Full Launch
Content Reviews
- Epyka, a puzzle-filled adventure in stunning settings, is perhaps a touch brief.
- Pirates VR: Jolly Roger delivers vivid adventures marred by design hiccups and limited combat depth.
- Shardfall: FitQuest VR, echoes the fitness fun of Ring Fit Adventure.
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Gears & Goo brings tower defense delights to Apple Vision Pro, leveraging intuitive hand and eye controls.
- Epyka Review | Pirates VR Insights | Shardfall: FitQuest VR Analysis | Gears & Goo’s Offering
Additional News
- New add-ons for Oculus Touch controllers to enhance VR combat.
- A movie adaptation of Exit 8 is underway—here’s hoping it captivates.
- Surreal Touch controllers featured in Road To VR’s first impressions.
- Experience Minecraft with VR-integrated full body tracking and over 100 mods.
-
Comprehensive Lens Studio guide for Unity developers.
- Oculus Add-ons | Exit 8 Film News | Surreal Touch Controllers | Minecraft VR with Mods and Tracking | Lens Studio Guide
Partner Highlights
Discover Ty’s Channel: Tyriel Wood has been a fantastic partner at CES 2025. I can’t sing his praises enough as he’s gearing up to release engaging content from our CES adventures. His in-depth XR videos are a must-see, so don’t miss out on his YouTube channel! Visit Ty’s Channel
Fun in XR
This week’s XR fun includes:
- Driving a truck in mixed reality. Funny link
- Gemini’s hilarious paranoia moments. Funny link
- Capturing a kid’s awe-inspiring VR experience. Funny link
- The classic Steam Sales’ irresistible allure. Funny link
- AI realism taken to humorous extremes. Funny link
- Neo’s antics—who can resist?! Funny link
Donate for Good
In closing, rather than personal blog support through donations, I urge contributions to aid those affected by war. Please consider donating to the Red Cross to improve humanitarian support in Ukraine. I extend heartfelt thanks to my Patreon supporters whose generosity fuels these endeavors, and a special shoutout to:
- Alex Gonzalez VR
- DeoVR
- GenVR
- …and many others.
For those ready to make a difference, here’s the link to contribute:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
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