Apple may finally debut its mixed reality headset this spring

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Apple’s getting ready to launch its long-rumored mixed reality headset this spring, according to a report from Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman. The company’s reportedly planning to reveal the device ahead of the Worldwide ... more - theverge

Where was 5G at CES?

From the front row to a no-show. | Image: The Verge When it wasn’t being overshadowed by covid resurgences, CES, for the past few years, has partially functioned as a big 5G pep rally. But as cars, smart home standards, and so many screens took center ... more - theverge

HTC’s new VR / AR headset is the $1,099 Vive XR Elite

The HTC Vive XR Elite. | Image: HTC HTC is opening preorders for a new virtual and augmented reality headset, the Vive XR Elite. The XR Elite is a $1,099 standalone headset that’s designed to compete with Meta’s Quest headsets and the rumored Apple AR ... more - theverge

The BMW i Vision Dee is a future EV sport sedan that can talk back to you

The BMW i Vision Dee is basically KITT with a kidney grille. | Image: BMW KITT with a kidney grille? With a minimalist design, a HUD across the whole windshield, and a digital assistant that talks back, this could be the most polarizing BMW concept yet. ... more - theverge

Gran Turismo 7 is getting a free VR upgrade for PSVR2’s launch

Jim Ryan reveals Gran Turismo 7’s VR update at CES 2023. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge Gran Turismo 7 will be getting a free upgrade to let you play the game on PlayStation VR2, PlayStation head Jim Ryan announced during Sony’s CES 2023 press conference ... more - theverge

L’Oréal’s new makeup applicator uses AR to give you the perfect brow

The Brow Magic is a type of “brow printer” with an AR component. | Image: L’Oreal L’Oréal is no slouch when it comes to gadgets. Like Dyson, L’Oréal has been pushing the game in beauty tech for the past few years, announcing neat gizmos like wearable ... more - theverge

Sony breaks from tradition and won’t announce new TVs at CES 2023

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge If there’s one brand that’s inherently linked to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, it’s Sony. Every year, the company unveils its latest and greatest 4K TVs and shows off other home theater hardware ... more - theverge

Apple’s mixed reality headset might let you switch out of VR with a digital crown

Good use of a digital crown, IMO. | Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset might let users switch between viewing the real world and virtual reality with a physical dial, according to an extensive new report ... more - theverge

Samsung makes Mini LED even bigger with the Odyssey Neo G9

I feel threatened by the breadth of this monitor. | Image: Samsung Remember the Samsung Odyssey Ark? Of course you do — it was released last year, had a monstrous 55-inch display that towers over you in portrait mode, and used Mini LED tech. In his review, ... more - theverge

Meta acquires smart lensmaker Luxexcel as it works toward AR glasses goal

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Meta’s throwing more money into the metaverse with its acquisition of Luxexcel, a Netherlands-based company that specializes in 3D-printing prescription lenses for smart glasses. The news was first reported by ... more - theverge

9 great games for your VR headset from 2022

Micha Huigen / The Verge Although the tech surrounding VR headsets has stagnated somewhat, there are still plenty of fantastic titles that make great use of the technology available, and we’ve chosen some of our favorites for you to try now and over ... more - theverge

Meta delays Within acquisition amid VR antitrust claims

Within makes popular fitness app Supernatural. | Image: Supernatural / Within Meta has delayed its acquisition of virtual reality studio Within by a month, agreeing not to close the deal until January 31st. The agreement was noted in a court filing reported ... more - theverge

Meta says ‘about half’ of its Reality Labs operating expenses go toward AR

The Ray-Ban Stories don’t have AR, but someday we might be wearing sunglasses with advanced AR tech. | Photo by Amanda Lopez for The Verge Meta’s Reality Labs division might be burning billions, but it’s not all going toward not-great VR headsets. The ... more - theverge

John Carmack is leaving Meta

John Carmack onstage. | GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP via Getty Images John Carmack, a titan of the technology industry known for his work on virtual reality as well as classic games like Doom and Quake , is stepping down from his role as a consulting CTO at Meta, ... more - theverge

HTC will announce a lightweight Meta Quest competitor at CES

The yet unnamed HTC headset. | Image: HTC HTC plans to introduce a new flagship AR / VR headset next month that will reestablish its presence in the consumer virtual reality space. The company isn’t planning to release full details until CES on January ... more - theverge

Resident Evil Village’s VR mode will launch alongside Sony’s PSVR2 as a free update

I think Lady Dimitrescu will be very scary in VR. | Image: Capcom Resident Evil Village’s VR mode will be available on the PlayStation VR 2 the same date Sony’s new VR hardware launches in February, Capcom announced on Wednesday. And even better, it’s ... more - theverge

Meta’s VR battle royale adds Fortnite-like level building tools

Population: One’s new Sandbox mode will be available on Wednesday. | Image: Meta Population: One , Meta’s VR battle royale title, is opening up its new Sandbox mode in early access to all players on Wednesday, allowing them to make their own levels with ... more - theverge

The first US Super Nintendo World opens its doors on February 17th

Super Nintendo World Hollywood. | Image: Universal Studios Nearly two years after Universal Studios opened its first Super Nintendo World park in Japan, the second one will debut in the US as promised at Universal Studios Hollywood next February. When ... more - theverge

PlayStation VR2 preorders are now available without an invitation

The PSVR2 headset. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge PlayStation VR2 preorders currently appear to be open to everyone with a PlayStation account, no special invitation required. When preorders first opened last month, you had to register ahead of ... more - theverge

Fortnite VR isn’t happening, says Epic CEO Tim Sweeney

Not pictured: someone playing Fortnite. | Owen Grove / The Verge If you’re waiting for Fortnite in VR, don’t hold your breath: Epic Games “has no plans” to build it, CEO Tim Sweeney tells The Verge in our new interview. The reason? Sweeney just doesn’t ... more - theverge

Snapchat’s big new augmented reality feature is letting creators make money

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Augmented reality isn’t really a thing yet. But you know what is? Face lenses. Millions of users across Snapchat, Instagram, Zoom, TikTok, and countless other apps are already used to tapping a button and having ... more - theverge

Beat Saber’s downloadable songs are half price until next week

It applies to individual tracks only. Rhythm game Beat Saber is one of the best things to do in virtual reality. But — no offense to its default music packs — buying extra songs from major artists like Lizzo, BTS, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Linkin Park ... more - theverge

Epic’s free app that turns real-life items into 3D models is available now on iOS

Image: Epic Games Epic Games’ RealityScan app, which lets you scan real-life objects and turn them into 3D models for video games or other projects, is now officially available on iOS as a free download after an initial limited beta launch in April. ... more - theverge

Sony is getting into the metaverse with a new motion-tracking system

Mocopi, a riff on motion capture and “copy”, uses small sensors to control an avatar in virtual reality in real time. | Image: Sony Sony has announced Mocopi, a portable and lightweight motion capture system that can be used to control a digital avatar ... more - theverge

Everybody promised to disrupt the smartphone — and the smartphone outlasted them all

The latest iPhones may not blow minds, but they’re still taking down all comers. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Everywhere you turned over the last few years, someone was promising The Next Big Thing After Smartphones. Yes, they’d say, ... more - theverge

Wednesday’s top tech news: Hurray for foldable competition

The newly announced Honor Magic VS. | Image: Honor Honor’s second foldable will eventually release outside of China, and people are getting confused about a new car logo. Continue reading… ... more - theverge

Google Maps will help you explore neighborhoods with your phone’s camera

There are some nice new features coming to Google Maps. | Illustration: The Verge Google is adding another big new augmented reality feature to Google Maps that lets you learn more about what’s around you just by looking through your phone’s camera. ... more - theverge

Google search now displays 360-degree views of sneakers from brands like Vans and Puma

Old skewl meets new skewl with Google 3D and AR shopping. | Image: Google It’s now possible to use Google search for more than just Taylor Swift ticket queries: starting today in the US, the search engine will use augmented reality to help you find the ... more - theverge

See how far Pokémon Go creator Niantic’s AR gaming ambitions have come

Pokémon Go developer Niantic has unveiled its latest tech demo showing off what it thinks could be the future of augmented reality gaming. The trailer, which apparently depicts “actual headset gameplay” shows a handful of players wearing AR glasses as ... more - theverge

Google Fi’s throwing in a free year of YouTube Premium for Unlimited Plus subscribers

Illustration: The Verge If you’re subscribed to Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan, you can now enjoy an extra perk in addition to unlimited data: one year free of YouTube Premium. Starting today, new and existing members enrolled in Google Fi’s premium ... more - theverge