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Oculus Quest hand tracking is available as an experimental feature
You don't have to wait until 2020 to try Oculus Quest hand tracking, at least so long as you're willing to accept some limits. Oculus is trotting out the controller-free input method as an option in the "Experimental Features" menu this week. You can only use it in the main interface as well as first-party apps like the web browser and Oculus TV, but that still allows you to ditch the grips for common tasks. You can switch back to controllers through a quick toggle in the home screen.
Oculus Go is on sale for $120 at Amazon for Cyber Monday
Did you pass on the Oculus Go's discounted Black Friday price because it was still a little too dear? Your patience is being rewarded. Amazon is selling the stand-alone VR headset for $120 on Cyber Monday, or another $30 off the already fairly low price of $150. That's the lowest price we've seen, and it makes the Go that much more viable if you want to try VR or just enjoy a private Netflix viewer.
More signs point to Apple's AR headset arriving in 2020
The drum beat for an Apple augmented reality headset is growing louder. Bloomberg claims Apple has "targeted" a 2020 release for its AR eyewear, echoing analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's expectations based on his own sources. The publication also shares a belief that the headset will sync with your iPhone to deliver messages, maps and games to your eyes. Apple has also "considered" implementing an App Store, according to the report.
Sennheiser’s $200 gaming headset promises 100 hours of battery life
Today, Sennheiser released its latest wireless gaming headset, the GSP 370. The headset's boldest claim is that it offers 100 hours of battery life, thanks to low power consumption and a long-lasting battery. For gamers who play six hours per week, Sennheiser says the GSP 370 can last four months on a single charge, and it can be used while recharging, so there's no need to interrupt gameplay.
Razer brings its vibrating Nari Ultimate headset to Xbox One
Last September, Razer unveiled a wireless headset called the Nari Ultimate that doubled as a rumble pack. That's right -- in addition to conventional drivers (which by their very nature vibrate), the headphones had haptic actuators in each cup. The only problem? They were designed specifically for PC players. The headphones technically worked with Xbox One but you had to rely on a traditional 3.5mm jack. Well, today that all changes with the Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One. As its name implies, this version brings the full head-rumbling experience to Microsoft's family of consoles. Like the original, these headphones offer HyperSense-branded haptics by Lofelt, a German company that also worked on the Basslet wearable and a rumble module for Teenage Engineering's OP-Z sequencer and synthesizer. The vibrations work with "any Xbox One game," Razer claims, to create "an immersive in-game experience." That means they'll emphasize subtle footsteps, heart-stopping explosions and other dramatic audio cues. Some will scoff at the idea -- we don't blame you, it's an understandable reaction -- but reviews for the original Nari Ultimate were positive. If you want to give the Xbox version a shot, it's launching today for $199.99/€219.99. The headphones will be competing with the impressive but haptic-free SteelSeries Arctis 9X, Razer's older Thresher headsets, and the plethora of wireless Turtle Beach headsets that dominate bricks-and-mortar stores.
Corsair's Virtuoso RGB SE headset is for classy gamers
One thing I've noticed these past few years is that gaming headsets are getting more attractive. You'll still see plenty of black and red with the occasional green, and unnecessary grills or fins on the cups, but overall headsets are sleeker and more stylish. That's probably because a lot more people with widely differing tastes are getting into gaming gear. Now Corsair is introducing a pair of wireless headsets, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless and Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE that look great, feel super comfortable and oh yeah, offer solid audio too.
Oculus' latest concept headset has electronic varifocal lenses
Facebook might have had plenty to share about its immediate VR future at Oculus Connect 6, but it's looking even further ahead. Michael Abrash, Facebook's Reality Lab chief scientist, discussed two newer versions of the Half Dome prototype Facebook revealed last year, which uses moving lenses to sharpen focus.
The best headsets for the Switch Lite
The new Switch Lite is finally here. It's smaller than the original, so it'll be easier to take on the go, whether it's your daily commute, a long flight or a week-long road trip. However, such close quarters mean you're going to want to invest in a pair of headphones for your new handheld, something that can do justice to the audio on games like Breath of the Wild, Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Splatoon 2. The bad news is, any wireless headsets you might already be using with your Switch won't work with the Lite. The good news is, you don't need anything fancy and won't have to spend a lot to find a new pair of cans. Just something with excellent audio and a 3.5mm jack will do.
How do kids (and adults) like Nintendo’s Labo VR kit?
Nintendo's Labo VR kit is certainly a step up from the historic gaming company's earlier Labo kits. With five cardboard projects for kids to construct (including the headset itself), senior editor Kris Naudus found it to be a unique, endearing and playful experience, mostly because of its clear building instructions and fun mini games. However, while the VR headset displays decent 720p, it still lacks a killer app and the VR updates to existing games leave a lot to be desired.
How to buy a gaming headset
Today's games boast stirring orchestral scores, realistic-sounding weaponry and high-caliber voice acting. But none of it means anything if your headset is crap. Same goes for well-laid plans in co-op games: You draw up the best tactics with your teammates, but if they can't hear you because of a bad mic, it all goes to waste. So the headset you buy is key to getting the most out of your game. But with so many companies getting into the market, how do you find the one that best suits your cranium?
Another AR headset startup closes its doors
Augmented reality filters are popping up everywhere -- from the NFL's partnership with Snapchat to YouTube's beauty filters for creators. But AR headsets seem to be struggling. Today, TechCrunch reports that another well-funded AR headset startup is shutting down. Daqri, the company behind the Android-powered smart hard hat, has closed its headquarters, laid off employees and plans to sell its assets.
Hulu drops support for Google’s Daydream VR platform
If you were a fan of watching Hulu videos on Google's Daydream View VR headset, we have some bad news. Hulu has dropped support for Google Daydream. According to the company, the latest versions of its Android app (versions 3.55 or newer) no longer support the VR platform.
Everything Lenovo announced at IFA 2019 in less than 10 minutes
In case you missed Lenovo's IFA 2019 press event, or you want to watch the highlights again, we've condensed the whole thing down to just under 10 minutes. Lenovo's Yoga laptops will now have Intel's 10th-generation CPUs, and the Yoga C940 got a few additional AI-based updates. Lenovo revealed its Smart Display 7, its latest take on the Nest Hub. That seven-inch display comes with a built-in camera, which could be handy if you like to make video calls. And the company announced an Avengers game, called Dimension of Heroes, for its Mirage AR headset. That's good news considering at launch the headset only came with one game: Star Wars: Jedi Challenges.
HyperX's new 7.1 headset gets even more immersive with head tracking
Games these days are getting serious about their audio. It's not just tinny MIDI tunes and beeps anymore; we're talking realistic gunfire, explosions and stirring orchestral scores worthy of grand concert halls. So it's only natural that gaming headsets have to step up a bit — we've seen companies like SteelSeries deliver sound worthy of the most high-end audio equipment, with design to match. Now HyperX is teaming up with Audeze to raise the bar even more, delivering crystal clear, immersive audio that's responsive; turn your head and it gets louder. It's like you're not even wearing a headset.
iOS 13 code hints Apple may be testing an AR headset
Apple's long-rumored plans for an augmented reality headset appear to be taking shape. MacRumors claims to have seen documentation for an internal iOS 13 build that points to work on AR headset support. They reference a "STARTester" app that can switch to a head-mounted mode, a "StarBoard" shell (a possible parallel to iOS' Springboard) for stereo AR apps and code references to special modes, views and scenes. It even references a codename for one device, Garta, that might be linked to the previously rumored T288 project.
HTC's unlimited VR service comes to Valve Index headsets
You'd think that Valve's Index headset would have supported Viveport Infinity from the outset given the premium price and backwards compatibility with HTC gear, but not so -- it's only just arriving now. As of August 29th, the Index has access to the unlimited VR service and its library of games, apps and videos. It costs the same $13 per month ($9 if you commit to a year), but there is a perk for splurging on the headset. Anyone with an Index can claim two months of free Infinity access during a promo lasting through all of September, whether or not you're already an Infinity member.
HP's latest gaming headset delivers active cooling, noise cancellation
HP has unveiled a host of new gaming products for Gamescom 2019, starting with the Omen Mindframe Prime, a high-end gaming headset with features that should make competitive play more comfortable. Your ears will heat up less thanks to HP's "Frostcap" active cooling that features a new graphite heat spreader tucked into the larger earpads. It's also got built-in 7.1 surround sound that enhances spatial awareness so you can pick out where sounds are coming from.
Brain-controlled VR lightshows could lull you to sleep
By most accounts, technology wreaks havoc on our sleep. Even tools meant to help us sleep better can make insomnia worse. But sleep and tech don't have to be mutually exclusive. Artists and researchers from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University have created a virtual reality tool to induce sleep. The device, Inter-Dream, combines ambient music controlled by artists with kaleidoscopic visuals controlled by the user's brainwaves, via EEG.
Magic Leap’s Independent Creator Program delivers its first app
Last fall, Magic Leap launched its Independent Creator Program (ICP), which was meant to give developers the funding and support they need to launch apps and games on the company's augmented reality headset. Today, the first app to come out of the program is available. Portugal-based ONTOP Studios has created PuzzlAR: World Tour, an AR version of its popular mobile game, for Magic Leap One.
Facebook snags exclusive VR games for Oculus headsets
Facebook wants to give Oculus a boost by acquiring game studios and signing exclusive deals for VR versions of well-known games. According to The Information, Facebook plans to bring Assassin's Creed and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell to Oculus Quest and Rift S. Facebook will reportedly invest less than $1 billion in this approach, but The Information claims Mark Zuckerberg is personally involved.
