10 infamous tech flops that were way ahead of their time

Sometimes a new product doesn't catch on. Whether too niche, too buggy, or too cumbersome, here are 10 examples of innovative tech that time has forgotten.

Michael Bizzaco     April 25, 2023

VR wearable can simulate temperature changes using odorless chemicals

Researchers from the University of Chicago have come up with a, frankly, mind-boggling way of delivering the sensation of temperature in virtual reality.

Luke Dormehl     June 30, 2020

Oculus is discontinuing its Go VR headset

Oculus is discontinuing Oculus Go but will maintain its system software with bug fixes and security patches through 2022 for those who still own the VR headset.

Allison Matyus     June 23, 2020

Apple reportedly targeting 2021 unveiling, 2022 launch for AR/VR headset

Apple is reportedly aiming to unveil its long-rumored AR/VR headset in 2021 and release the device in 2022, followed by AR glasses by 2023 at the earliest.

Aaron Mamiit     April 25, 2023

The best VR-ready laptops you can buy right now

High-definition virtual reality experiences don't require a tethered desktop. Our guide to the top VR-ready laptops will help your VR experience stay flexible.

Kevin Parrish     April 26, 2022

HP teams with Valve on Reverb G2, ‘world’s highest-resolution VR headset’

HP teamed up with Valve to introduce the new Reverb G2 Windows Mixed Reality headset. The follow up to the Reverb G1, the new headset is designed for gamers

Arif Bacchus     April 25, 2023

Ex-HTC boss Peter Chou is building the most ambitious virtual world yet

Peter Chou may be best known for co-founding HTC, but since moving on, he has become more deeply immersed in VR, culminating in a new project called XRSpace.

Andy Boxall     April 25, 2023

Apple dives deeper into virtual reality with purchase of broadcaster NextVR

Apple confirmed its acquisition of NextVR, a startup that broadcasts events to virtual reality headsets, and also holds more than 40 patents for VR technology.

Aaron Mamiit     April 25, 2023

Why virtual reality will be a must-have for our socially distanced future

Videoconferencing platforms have exploded since coronavirus. But those looking for more dimensions are turning to virtual reality, and selling out headsets.

Meira Gebel     April 25, 2023

Virtual learning: How to keep your kids engaged while they’re off from school

A lot of kids are home from school these next few weeks due to the coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean they have to pause educational and interactive learning. 

Allison Matyus     April 25, 2023

Adobe Aero let me walk through my own photos in augmented reality

Meet Adobe Aero, a free iOS app that brings Photoshop art -- or even your own photographs -- into the real world using augmented reality.

Hillary K. Grigonis     April 25, 2023

Valve Index VR goes on sale again Monday in time for Half-Life: Alyx

The Valve Index VR headset will be back in stock for on Monday, March 9, after the coronavirus impacted production. It goes on sale in time for Half-Life: Alyx.

Cody Perez     March 9, 2020

HTC offers cheaper Vive Pro Eye bundles, expands eye-tracking in VR

HTC is deepening its push into the world of enterprise virtual reality by introducing new bundles alongside a lower price for its Vive Pro Eye headset. Now you can add more base stations or tack on an extended warranty.

Chuong Nguyen     April 25, 2023

Qualcomm’s new headset design shows off the XR2 VR platform

Qualcomm launched the XR2 platform in December, but now it's unveiling a reference design based on the platform. The design features 5G and two 2K displays.

Christian de Looper     April 25, 2023

Valve will sell ‘far fewer’ Index VR headsets due to coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus is impacting hardware production, with Valve announcing that it will have 'far fewer' units of its Index VR headset available to purchase.

Georgina Torbet     April 25, 2023

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite hands-on review: External tracking returns

HTC has launched a series of new "faceplates" for the Vive Cosmos. A new high-end bundle, the Cosmos Elite, adds support for external tracking.

Luke Larsen     April 25, 2023

With new swappable faceplates, the Vive Cosmos is now a modular VR platform

HTC's new Vive Cosmos Elite VR headset is designed to be flexible with a modular design. Like the original Cosmos, the Elite can accommodate new faceplates to bring additional features in the future.

Chuong Nguyen     April 25, 2023

PlayStation VR on the PS5 could ditch Move controllers for finger-tracking

PlayStation VR on PS5 could be more immersive than the PS4's if a patent application is any indication. Technology in the application is similar to Valve Index.

Gabe Gurwin     April 25, 2023

Why confidence in VR is rising — and Oculus Quest is to thank

Game developers surveyed ahead of GDC 2020 appear to have more faith in VR, and the Oculus Quest is a big reason after its successful launch last year. The support for the Oculus Quest is supported by the headset's sales figures, which helped boost total VR hardware spending by about $500 million in 2019.

Gabe Gurwin     February 17, 2020

A mystery AMD graphics card just beat an Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti by almost 30%

The OpenVR benchmark has recorded an anomaly result which seems likely to be a pairing of an AMD CPU and GPU that has output a score higher than that of a 2080 Ti. Almost 30% faster, in fact, with even the most overclocked 2080 Ti setup falling short by almost 20% itself.

Jon Martindale     January 10, 2020

CES 2020 schedule: The best events, talks, panels, and keynotes

CES 2020 is happening right now, but taking a look at the official event schedule can be overwhelming. With multiple events at nearly every hour that will number into the hundreds, here are the most important events, talks, panels, and keynotes at Consumer Electronics Show 2020.

Mathew Katz     January 8, 2020

I fell out of love with VR, but the Vive Wireless rekindled the flame

The HTC Vive wasn't my first VR love, but it was the most impactful. So why did I abandon it? I can't say for sure, but maybe I can rekindle that interest with some new accessories and upgrades for my aging headset. It's certainly cheaper than buying any of the new generation outright.

Jon Martindale     December 28, 2019

Would you trust a Facebook OS? Reports say Zuck’s building an operating system

Facebook is still trying to earn back user trust -- while simultaneously exploring creating its own operating system to power hardware like Occulus and Portal. The new OS could prevent upcoming hardware form being limited by restrictions inside Android.

Hillary K. Grigonis     December 21, 2019

The visually impaired can now watch Comcast TV channels on VR goggles

For years, if you were legally blind and wanted to watch TV, your choices were slim. Most people resorted to described video soundtracks as a way to "hear" what was going on. Comcast has joined up with NuEyes to offer a second option: Watching live and on-demand TV on VR goggles for those with visual impairments.

Simon Cohen     December 11, 2019

The Qualcomm XR2 augmented reality chipset will power next-gen headsets with 5G

Qualcomm has launched a new augmented reality chipset that is set to power the next generation of AR headsets. The new Snapdragon XR2 supports up to a hefty 3K per eye, along with two times the CPU and GPU performance of the company's previous-generation AR chipset, the Snapdragon XR1.

Christian de Looper     December 13, 2019

Oppo steps into augmented reality with its HoloLens-like AR Glass headset

Oppo doesn't only want to be known as a smartphone maker, and is branching out into new product categories, with the new AR Glass headset being one of the more exciting examples of the shift. It appears to take on Microsoft's HoloLens headset, and will provide augmented reality fun and games after launch next year.

Andy Boxall     December 10, 2019

Magic Leap in trouble? Report says only 6,000 AR headsets sold in first 6 months

Magic Leap is reportedly in trouble. After raising $2.6 billion, its $2,295 Magic Leap One Creator Edition AR headset sold only 6,000 units in its first six months, according to The Information. A spokesperson for the startup disputed the report, but did not provide a clearer picture on the company's status.

Aaron Mamiit     December 7, 2019

Digital Trends Live: Uber’s assault problems, iPhone location-data leaks, more

On this episode of Digital Trends Live, hosts Caleb Denison and Nicole Raney break down the biggest trending tech stories of the day, including the iPhone 11 sneaking data location, Qualcomm teams with Pokemon Go creators, Uber’s sexual assault problems, more Teslas on the way, and more.

T. Werkhoven     April 25, 2023

Save hundreds with these PlayStation VR and PS4 console Black Friday deals

You can currently buy a PlayStation VR Mega Pack bundle for just $200, giving you the headset, camera, and five of the best games available on the headset. Paired with a $200 PS4 that also includes three of the best standard PlayStation 4 games of the generation, it's an absolute steal.

Gabe Gurwin     November 30, 2019

Virtual reality goggles for dairy cows? Pull the udder one

Russian farmers are putting VR headsets on their cows to help improve milk production. It may sound like a load of bull, but apparently it really is part of an ongoing experiment. The modified headsets play visuals that simulate a “unique summer field,” helping to relax the cows so that they produce more milk.

Trevor Mogg     April 25, 2023

Beat Saber studio joins Facebook, but will not give in to the dark side

Beat Games, the studio behind Beat Saber, has joined the Facebook-owned Oculus Studios. The studio's game is one of the most popular games available on VR platforms, including Oculus Rift and Quest. Facebook said it is going to continue making major VR-related announcements over the next year.

Gabe Gurwin     November 26, 2019

Sticking to 2D: Don’t expect Xbox Scarlett to support VR

Microsoft's Phil Spencer has revealed that he has no plans to support virtual reality on the upcoming Xbox system Project Scarlett. The PS4 and PS5 both support PlayStation VR headsets, and the Oculus Quest allows players to experience VR without needing an external PC, phone, or console at all.

Gabe Gurwin     November 26, 2019

Hand Tracking on Oculus Quest hands-on review: My immersion!

At Oculus Connect 6, Facebook unveiled a powerful new addition to the Oculus Quest: Hand-tracking. Using the cameras already built into the Quest, the software is able to sense and recreate your hands and individual finger movement in VR. Is it too good to be true?

Chuong Nguyen     November 27, 2019

Apple plans to release AR headset in 2022, AR glasses in 2023

According to a new report, Apple's augmented reality headset may not be released until 2022, despite rumors that the company was planning on releasing it in 2020. The report notes that Apple will release an Oculus Quest-type headset in 2022, followed by a glasses-type device in 2023.

Christian de Looper     November 11, 2019