The XR Weekly Review (January 15, 2025): CES Showcases Numerous XR Devices, Quest 3S Tops 2024 Console Sales, and More!

I’ve just returned from an exhilarating time at CES in Las Vegas, and wow, what a journey it was! Despite the post-event fatigue, the excitement I experienced more than made up for it. As someone who wears multiple hats as a blogger, tech enthusiast, and budding entrepreneur, each aspect of my persona found something to relish in. This week’s rundown will majorly focus on the CES highlights, but don’t worry, I’ve got a few interesting tidbits from outside the event as well. I appreciate your patience with this slightly delayed newsletter—my schedule has been packed since hopping off the plane from Vegas!

This Week’s Top Highlights

XR Innovations Shone Bright at CES

CES remains a colossal stage for tech, and this year was no different with XR making notable impressions. The XR section was vibrant, reflecting the sector’s growth, albeit still considered niche. A variety of smartglasses dominated the scene, most notably, the AI-enhanced Ray-Ban Meta and the Halliday glasses featuring their tiny display. Key player Goertek unveiled reference designs hinting at a wave of smart and AR glasses soon hitting the shelves. In terms of groundbreaking news, the headline-grabbers were NVIDIA and Sony with their respective XR updates. NVIDIA announced its new RTX 50 series, pushing PCVR capabilities even further without a significant price jump—except the 5090 at a heftier $2000. Additionally, their cloud service, Geforce Now, is extending to platforms like Quest and Pico, promising an expansive virtual gaming screen for MR users.

Sony’s foray into XR didn’t disappoint with their cryptic unveil of XYN—a suite of XR offerings aimed at creators. They hinted at a refreshed headset and tools like Mocopi trackers for body control, although practical demonstrations were limited. Regardless, Sony’s dedication to venturing into XR and digital innovations is commendable.

HDMI’s announcement of version 2.2 with a whopping 96Gb/s bandwidth raises speculation about headsets possibly reverting to this port. My CES adventures presented some gems, most notably the Play For Dream headset—details and a detailed review are in the works. It was a privilege to connect with XR critic Amanda Watson; her praise for the device confirms my impressions. If you missed out on CES, fear not—I’ve captured the entire XR experience on video, linked below for your delight. All things considered, CES was a solid event for XR, if not revolutionary.

Additional Highlights This Week

Meta Quest 3S’s Unprecedented Success

Inspiring news hit when Meta Quest 3S topped Amazon US’s console sales for 2024—a feat extending beyond VR categories and happening remarkably within a few months of its release. Its popularity spiked around the festive season, correlating with App Store trends and gameplay data from Batman Arkham Shadow. Although VR hasn’t yet mainstreamed, such growth highlights the incremental expansion in user base—positive signs for the future.

Farewell to the Quest Pro

Meta has officially phased out the Quest Pro, surprising few. The device, launched amidst competition fears over Vision Pro, was overpriced and lacked impact, dropping from $1500 to $1000 rapidly. Though it found brief life in promotions, its discontinuation marks the end of a misstep rather than a tragedy. Notably, it was Meta’s sole entry with eye and face tracking, features that may soon see revival as rumors stir about upcoming ASUS headsets encompassing similar advancements.

News Worth Noting

ASUS ROG VR Set to Feature Face Tracking

Leak alert courtesy of Luna—a sneak peek into ASUS’s ROG VR headset, codenamed Tarius, suggests it boasts eye and face tracking via HorizonOS. Set to employ advanced display tech like QD-LCD or micro OLED, these insights are promising signals that third-party Horizon projects are progressing.

Infinite Reality Lands a Mammoth $3B Funding

Infinite Reality wowed the XR world with a staggering $3 billion investment aimed at realising its immersive WebXR visions. Such massive backing raises eyebrows as it’s sourced from a singular investor, hinting at fascinating undercurrents within the XR financial landscape. It certainly puts my own fundraising efforts to shame!

ASTOUNDING VR: Walking Supine

This week’s quirky tech comes from a VR setup letting you walk while supine, achieved through pedaling motions. It’s a strenuous, yet unexpectedly engaging twist—had me pondering: "But why?"

DotLumen’s Ventures for the Visually Impaired

DotLumen has crafted a revolutionary aid for the blind: a wearable scanning device that guides users safely around obstacles. This empowerment could mark monumental change for the visually impaired community.

New Meta Quest 3S Offer

Looking to grab a Meta Quest 3S? Now’s your chance with a $50 discount on the 256GB version, still bundled with Batman Arkham Shadow. This deal follows slower sales of the larger capacity units, making it an attractive offer to jump on.

Sanzaru’s Next Big Leap

Post-finalizing Asgard’s Wrath 2, Sanzaru Games is shifting focus to its next big project. Speculation is buzzing with hopes for their mixed reality ambitions under Meta’s wing—can’t wait to see what they’ll serve up next!

Game Content News

• Boneworks lands on Quest 3.
• Synth Riders drops an ‘80s mix with an amusing twist.
• New storytelling game "Human Within" debuts on Quest at €18.
• Start your fitness journey with Shardfall: FitQuest VR on Quest.
• Detective VR, a mixed reality narrative game hits Quest 3 on February 27.
• Chrono Weaver launches, blending time puzzles with VR on Quest and Steam at €23.
• "I Am Security" secures top-selling ranks post-update on Quest.
• Rush to the skies with "Dawn of Jets," now in early access.
• Virtual Hunter’s open-world experience is set for full release on PC VR by January 15.

Game Reviews

• Epyka shines as a short yet delightful puzzle-adventure.
• Pirates VR: Jolly Roger delivers fun with some room for improvement.
• Shardfall: FitQuest VR offers a fitting fitness routine akin to Ring Fit Adventure.
• "Gears & Goo" on Apple Vision Pro keeps players hooked in a defense frenzy.

Additional News

• DIY VR controller upgrades hint at improved gaming performance.
• An Exit 8 game-inspired movie enters production.
• Road To VR shares first impressions on Surreal Touch controllers.
• Dive into Minecraft VR, enriched with full body tracking and over 100 mods.
• A Unity developer guide into Lens Studio opens up creative possibilities—don’t miss it!

Partners & Friends

Make sure to catch Tyriel Wood’s incredible XR insights—his upcoming CES coverage is not to be missed!

A Dash of XR Humor

Check out this truck maneuver in mixed reality—it’s hilarious! Just as whimsical are tales of XR paranoia, childhood VR dreams, and the ever-hilarious Steam Sales moments.

Giving Back

I end on a heartfelt note, encouraging donations to support Ukraine through the Red Cross. Warm thanks go out to my Patreon backers for their unwavering support.

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Your clicks and contributions truly fortify our shared XR journey—thank you!