Hey everyone! Guess who’s back in Italy after an incredible time at CES? I still can’t wrap my head around having attended such a massive event. Sure, I’m feeling the physical toll now, but it was all worth it. As a blogger, tech enthusiast, and entrepreneur, every part of me is thrilled. Naturally, CES will be the main highlight of this week’s roundup, but we’ve got some other intriguing tidbits from the wider tech world too. Let’s dive in! Oh, and apologies for running a bit late with this newsletter—coming back from Las Vegas left me with a heap of tasks to tackle.
Top Stories of the Week
XR Products Make a Splash at CES
CES, arguably the biggest tech gathering of the year, had a whole section dedicated to XR companies. The presence of so many XR professionals was a clear indicator that this niche technology is very much alive and kicking. The star of the show was undeniably smartglasses, many integrated with AI, like the Ray-Ban Meta featured in the photo above. The Halliday glasses also impressed with their compact display. Goertek unveiled fresh designs for smart and AR glasses, setting the stage for even more companies to jump on this bandwagon.
While we didn’t receive monumental news from the XR sector, NVIDIA and Sony didn’t disappoint. NVIDIA revealed its RTX 50 graphics cards, promising enhanced PCVR performance. The price points are similar to the 40 series, with the 5090 sitting at a hefty $2000. They also announced the expansion of their cloud streaming service, Geforce Now, to platforms like Quest, Pico, and Apple Vision Pro, allowing users to enjoy flatscreen games on massive virtual screens.
Sony introduced XYN, a new XR line tailored for creatives. Details were sparse, with mentions of a new headset connected to their enterprise unit and intriguing tools for precise body tracking and digital object scanning.
On another note, HDMI introduced a new 2.2 standard with impressive bandwidth, which might bring back interest in using this connection for headsets.
Throughout CES, I took the opportunity to get my hands on several devices, such as the Shiftall MeganeX SuperLight 8K and Pimax Crystal Super. But a real standout was the Play For Dream headset—stay tuned for a full review! Fellow attendee, Amanda Watson, also raved about it. And for those who couldn’t make it to CES, I’ve documented the entire XR area on video for your viewing pleasure.
In summary, while CES didn’t serve as a groundbreaking moment for XR, it was still a rewarding experience.
Other Notable News
Meta Quest 3S Tops Amazon’s 2024 Console Sales
It brings a smile to my face to report that Meta Quest 3S was Amazon US’s best-selling console in 2024. This isn’t just within the VR segment or a specific timeframe—it outpaced every console throughout the year, securing the third spot in the overall Video Games category. Achieving this after an October release is no small feat.
Evidence suggests a stellar holiday season for the Quest 3S. The Meta Horizon companion app topped the Apple App Store, and player metrics show a holiday spike in gameplay for titles like Batman Arkham Shadow. However, don’t get your hopes up for VR becoming mainstream just yet. While VR made strides over the holidays, it’s more about the tradition of gifting headsets during this season. Still, the influx of new users is undoubtedly a positive step.
Meta Ends the Quest Pro
Meta has decided to retire the Quest Pro, marking the end of their first prosumer headset. You won’t find it on Meta’s official store; instead, visitors are redirected to consider a Quest 3. The Touch Pro controllers remain available, as they are compatible with other Quest models. Frankly, I don’t see many lamenting this decision. Rushed in response to Vision Pro, the Quest Pro launched overpriced and underwhelmed, leading to swift price cuts. At one point, it was so devalued that it became a giveaway at a Roblox event. Its fate was sealed early on.
The Quest Pro’s removal does leave a gap in Meta’s lineup for devices with eye and face tracking. Interestingly, shortly after this news, ASUS hinted at such features coming in its upcoming headset. Looks like Horizon’s ecosystem capabilities aren’t going anywhere.
News Worth Mentioning
ASUS ROG to Feature Face Tracking
A well-known leaker, Luna, shared fresh insights into ASUS’s upcoming ROG VR headset, codenamed Tarius. This third-party device under HorizonOS will boast eye and face tracking, with QD-LCD screens featuring local dimming or micro OLED options. While the leak is light on details, it’s a promising sign these projects are moving forward.
Infinite Reality Secures $3 Billion
Infinite Reality caught everyone off guard by securing a staggering $3 billion in funding. Focused on developing WebXR content, this investment rivals the backing for major players like OpenAI. However, it’s intriguing that the entire sum comes from just one investor, adding a mysterious layer to this XR community development.
VR Walking While Lying Down: A Wacky Idea
In this week’s "What The F" segment, we look at a bizarre VR project. It allows users to walk in VR through a cycling motion, all while laying supine. It’s a great abs workout, but I’m left scratching my head: why, though?
DotLumen’s Revolutionary Aid for the Blind
DotLumen is working on a groundbreaking project for the visually impaired—it’s a headset that scans environments and helps users navigate by indicating safe paths. This innovation could transform lives for those with visual disabilities.
Meta’s $50 Discount on Quest 3S
Meta is running a promotion cutting $50 off the Quest 3S 256GB model, still bundled with Batman Arkham Shadow. This discount isn’t exclusive to Meta’s website; many retailers are following suit. It seems the larger storage model didn’t sell as well as anticipated during the holidays.
Sanzaru’s Next Big Hit in Development
Asgard’s Wrath fans, take note: Sanzaru Games, after releasing the final content update for Asgard’s Wrath 2, is shifting focus to their new project. Speculation is rife about what’s next, perhaps something blending mixed reality to align with parent company Meta’s vision? Stay tuned!
Content Corner
- Boneworks is coming to Quest 3! And the studio’s got another tantalizing project underway.
- Synth Riders’ ‘80s Mixtape Side B Pack and its unexpected twist is here.
- Human Within explores the influence of AI on humanity and is now on Quest for €18.
- Shardfall: FitQuest VR brings fitness and fun to Quest.
- Detective VR, crafted with input from ValemVR, launches February 27 on Quest 3 and 3S.
- Chrono Weaver invites you to time-travel puzzles on Quest and Steam for €23.
- With its latest update, I Am Security claims a top-selling spot, rivaling I Am Cat on Quest.
- Dawn of Jets introduces early access for VR aerial dogfighting on Quest.
- Virtual Hunter, a PC VR open-world hunting title, officially releases January 15.
Content Reviews
- Epyka offers a polished puzzle-adventure, reminiscent of Myst, though a bit short.
- Pirates VR: Jolly Roger charms with visuals but falls short in combat depth.
- Shardfall: FitQuest VR is a fitness treat akin to Ring Fit Adventure.
- Gears & Goo delivers engaging tower defense thrills on Apple Vision Pro, leveraging advanced control schemes.
Additional Tidbits
- A creative Redditor has enhanced Oculus Touch controllers for VR combat prowess. Check it out!
- A movie adaptation of Exit 8 is underway—eager to see how they capture its intrigue.
- First impressions of Surreal Touch controllers have hit the scene, courtesy of Road To VR.
- Experience Minecraft like never before with 100 mods in VR, complete with full body tracking!
- A comprehensive guide to Lens Studio for Unity developers is available now.
Partner Highlights
Support Ty’s Channel
I’ve been singing Tyriel Wood’s praises since CES 2025, and this week is no exception. His XR tech insights are gold. Subscribe to his channel to catch all the cool stuff we explored together at CES. You won’t be disappointed!
Some XR Fun
- Witness the spectacle of someone driving a truck in mixed reality! It’s both bizarre and fascinating.
- Ever get the sense AI is getting too clever? I’ve got the link that’ll have you nodding in agreement.
- The pure joy of VR through a child’s eyes: you have to see this!
- The annual Steam Sale ritual: it’s the same story every year but still a delight.
- AI these days is eerily human-like. Prepare to be amazed.
- Just when you thought VR couldn’t surprise you anymore, it does! Check it out.
Giving Back
This week, instead of prompting you to support my blog, I’m urging donations to assist those affected by the ongoing conflict. Please consider contributing to the Red Cross in Ukraine. Here’s the link to do so:
[Support The Red Cross in Ukraine]
A huge thank you to all my Patreon supporters for their unwavering support:
List of Supporters
Use this link to contribute: [Red Cross Donation]
Happy gaming and stay curious until next time!
