I’ve just returned from an incredible journey to CES in Las Vegas, and I must say, what an experience it was! The excitement is still buzzing in me as I think back on everything I got to see and do there. Sure, the trip took a toll on me physically, but the thrill of attending such a monumental event overshadowed any fatigue. Whether I was there as a blogger, an enthusiast, or an entrepreneur, every side of me was thrilled. Naturally, much of this week’s roundup revolves around CES, though there are other notable updates too. So, let’s dive into all the exciting news! (Apologies for the newsletter’s late arrival—catching up on tasks post-CES was quite the endeavor!)
This Week’s Top Highlights
CES: A Showcase of XR Innovation
Known as the pinnacle tech fest of the year, CES didn’t disappoint with a dedicated segment for XR companies and enthusiasts. It’s a testament to the vibrant, albeit niche, nature of XR. The spotlight was on smart glasses, with impressive debuts like the AI-integrated Ray-Ban Meta and Halliday glasses with their compact displays. Industry leader Goertek unveiled new designs, hinting at more such innovations from other companies soon. While there weren’t any groundbreaking announcements specifically for XR, giants like NVIDIA and Sony teased interesting XR developments in their keynotes. NVIDIA’s new RTX 50 graphics cards promise to boost PCVR capacities, maintaining a price bracket similar to the series 40, except for the $2000 model 5090. Excitingly, GeForce Now is set to stream on Quest, Pico, and Apple Vision Pro, letting users enjoy flat-screen games on expansive virtual displays.
Sony’s announcement introduced the XYN series, a mix of software and hardware XR products aimed at creators. Details were sparse, particularly about a new headset and tracking tech, but Sony’s dedication to XR was clear. Meanwhile, HDMI’s fresh 2.2 standard specification, with a whopping 96Gb/s bandwidth, could attract headsets back to this port. I’ve penned down some posts about my hands-on experiences with standout devices from the event, which you’ll find linked below. The Play For Dream headset was a crowd favorite, and I’ll share a detailed review soon. It was wonderful meeting Amanda Watson there; we both agreed on its star quality. For those unable to attend, I’ve captured a video tour of the XR area, available for your viewing pleasure. While CES wasn’t revolutionary for XR, it sure was commendable.
For more details, you can check out links related to the Play For Dream headset, NVIDIA Geforce Now updates, Sony announcements, new graphics cards, and more below.
Other Noteworthy News
Meta Quest 3S Leads Amazon’s Console Sales in 2024
In delightful news, the Meta Quest 3S soared as Amazon’s top-selling console for 2024 in the US. Not just in the VR section or for a brief period—the whole year against all consoles. It even ranked as the third most popular item in the entire Video Games category since its October release. This is quite the achievement! A spike in sales during the holidays seems evident, with its companion app topping Apple’s App Store and user stats for games like Batman Arkham Shadow doubling, all hint at a successful season. While this doesn’t mean VR has gone mainstream, it definitely signals significant progress with an influx of new users, and that’s promising.
Meta Discontinues Quest Pro
Meta has ceased selling the Quest Pro, its once-promising prosumer headset. Visit their site, and you’ll be nudged towards the Quest 3 instead. Though its controllers, the Touch Pro, remain available for other Quest models. The Quest Pro was hastily launched in fear of competition from Vision Pro, leading to a pricey flop, prompting significant price cuts and dwindling sales. Yet, it held a place as Meta’s only headset with eye and face tracking, beneficial for certain research applications. Coincidentally, ASUS’s upcoming headset leak suggests it will adopt these sought-after features, seeming almost like a timely counter to Quest Pro’s exit.
For more about Quest Pro’s discontinuation and related insights, see the linked resources.
News Briefs
ASUS ROG VR Headset Leak
Popular leaker Luna spilled some beans about the ASUS ROG VR headset, codenamed Tarius. Expected to run HorizonOS, the headset reportedly includes eye and face tracking, coupled with advanced display technology like QD-LCD or micro OLED screens. While details remain scant, such leaks are thrilling—they indicate tangible progress for third-party Horizon headsets.
Infinite Reality’s Funding Surprise
In a shocking turn, Infinite Reality snagged a whopping $3 billion funding round, gearing to advance its WebXR-based immersive web content engine. This gargantuan sum mirrors half of what OpenAI recently raised, leaving many in XR circles baffled about the mystery lone investor behind this substantial contribution.
Unorthodox VR Movement Research
The week’s intriguing video features a unique approach to VR locomotion, allowing users to "walk" while lying supine by mimicking cycling motions with their legs. As one might guess, it’s quite the workout for the abs. I watched it and couldn’t help but think, “But why?”
DotLumen’s Visionary Assist for the Blind
DotLumen’s innovative headset, aiding navigation for the visually impaired by scanning surroundings and suggesting clear paths, stands to transform mobility for those with vision challenges.
Meta’s Quest 3S Price Drop
A $50 discount is now applied to the 256GB Quest 3S model via Meta’s website, still bundled with Batman Arkham Shadow. The price cut suggests the larger storage option may not have matched its more affordable counterpart’s success over the holidays.
Sanzaru’s Next Game Tease
Game developer Sanzaru is stepping back from its magnum opus, Asgard’s Wrath 2, to focus on an enticing "next big thing." Optimistically, it could involve mixed reality elements, given Meta’s overarching influence.
Game Updates Worth Noting
Numerous fascinating game releases and updates have made their mark:
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- Boneworks*: Soon to debut on Quest 3.
- Synth Riders: Launches a new ’80s Mixtape Side B pack.
- Human Within: A new game exploring AI’s societal impact, now on Quest.
- Detective VR: A forthcoming MR narrative game by ValemVR, slated for February.
And there’s more to pique gamers’ interest—find further details and links for these newly released titles below.
Game Reviews Roundup
- Epyka: A short yet impressive puzzle-adventure on par with classics like Myst.
- Pirates VR: Jolly Roger: Offers a vibrant voyage hampered by lackluster combat.
- Shardfall: FitQuest VR: Reminiscent of Ring Fit Adventure, this fitness game proves entertaining.
- Gears & Goo: Delivers a well-executed tower defense experience on Apple Vision Pro, leveraging eye and hand tracking effectively.
Additional Tidbits
- Creativity abounds with a Redditor inventing a cool addon for Oculus Touch controllers enhancing VR combat gameplay.
- The production of a film inspired by the game Exit 8 is underway, raising curiosity about its narrative success.
- Road To VR shared its first impressions on the Surreal Touch controllers.
- Discover the joy of Minecraft VR enriched with full-body tracking—expand your gaming experience with over 100 mods.
Partner and Friends Update
Tyriel Wood deserves a shoutout for being an incredible partner at CES 2025. His XR tech content is a must-watch, offering insights into the innovations we explored together. Follow him on YouTube for a firsthand glimpse!
XR Fun Corner
In this week’s lighter side of XR, check out:
- The amusing scene of someone driving a truck in mixed reality—quite the spectacle!
- A hilariously paranoid AI moment and a kid’s genuine VR joy.
- The usual chaos of Steam’s special sales and an eerily human-like AI display. Join in the fun and discover the humor links!
Helping Hand
In closing, I urge genuine support for those impacted by conflict in Ukraine. Consider donating to the Red Cross to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. I deeply appreciate my Patreon supporters for their invaluable contributions, making this platform possible:
[A grateful nod to the kind patrons of this endeavor.]
For those able, here’s how to donate:
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