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Big Tech makes White House pledge to stump up for the increased energy costs of AI and prevent household bills from…
Several major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon, along with AI firms like OpenAI and xAI, have signed a White House pledge to cover the increased energy costs associated with their data centers. This initiative aims to prevent the proliferation of AI-driven data centers from raising electricity bills for consumers and businesses.
Morning Legal Briefs
Elon Musk testified that a tweet leading to a $44 billion lawsuit was "may not have been my wisest," but likely not perjury. Separately, Meta's smart glasses are facing a privacy probe in the UK.
New VR publisher launched to help devs innovate and survive until VR's "true breakout moment" arrives
Kevin Joyce has launched Evolution Publishing to support indie VR studios navigating the current market and aiming for virtual reality's eventual mainstream adoption. Despite recent challenges like Meta's strategic shifts and studio closures, Joyce believes the long-term outlook for VR is positive, emphasizing the need for innovative developers and improved comfort and usability in VR hardware.
nDreams announces restructuring with "significant" staff reduction, two studios closed
VR developer nDreams has announced a significant restructuring, including the closure of its Brighton-based Near Light studio and the Compass team, resulting in 78 jobs being at risk. The company's CEO, Tom Gillo, cited challenging market conditions for the painful decision, aiming to focus on the Elevation studio and XR R&D. This news follows similar reductions in VR investment from companies like Meta.
Big tech companies agree to not ruin your electric bill with AI data centers
Major tech companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, and xAI have signed the White House's Ratepayer Protection Pledge. This initiative aims to prevent electricity costs from increasing due to the power demands of AI data centers by having companies cover the full cost of their energy consumption and infrastructure upgrades.
Mark Zuckerberg downplays Meta's own research in New Mexico child safety trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg downplayed the significance of internal research findings during his testimony in a New Mexico child safety trial. He was questioned about studies on social media addiction and the effects of platforms like Facebook and Instagram on teen users, often stating he was unfamiliar with the methodologies or research conclusions.
Meta's new FrameSync feature aims to make VR a little less nauseating
Meta is introducing FrameSync, a new frame timing technique for Horizon OS designed to reduce motion sickness in virtual reality. This feature aims to improve visual smoothness, decrease stale frames, and lower motion-to-photon latency by stabilizing frame pacing, potentially leading to a more comfortable VR experience.
Meta signs a multimillion dollar AI licensing deal with News Corp
Meta has entered into a multi-year AI licensing agreement with News Corp, reportedly worth up to $50 million annually. This deal allows Meta AI to utilize content from The Wall Street Journal and other News Corp brands for training its AI models and powering chatbot responses. News Corp has also previously secured a similar deal with OpenAI.
Meta's AI display glasses reportedly share intimate videos with human moderators
Meta's AI-powered smart glasses in Europe are reportedly sharing intimate videos and sensitive financial data with human moderators in Kenya. Users must agree to terms of service that allow data review for AI training, raising concerns about compliance with GDPR regulations.
Should You Buy A Meta Quest 3S? - The Game Fanatics
Meta announced the new Meta Quest 3S headset, which reportedly offers the same power as the Meta Quest 3 with some modifications. The company also held its Meta Connect conference, discussing advancements in VR and AR technology. The Meta Quest 2 is no longer being sold.
You need a VPN now to stop the new Facebook Black Mirror horror
Meta's Project Lazarus, which proposes creating AI duplicates of individuals after their death, is discussed as a concerning concept. The article also highlights the potential need for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in light of such technological advancements.
Meta "shifts focus" of Horizon Worlds platform from Quest VR to mobile
Meta is shifting the focus of its Horizon Worlds metaverse platform from its Quest VR headsets to mobile devices to reach a larger market. The company is separating its VR and Worlds platforms, doubling down on the VR developer ecosystem while making Worlds almost exclusively mobile. This strategic shift follows significant financial losses for Reality Labs and recent layoffs and studio closures.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma pledges "no bad AI" at Xbox
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has stated she has "no tolerance for bad AI" at Xbox, emphasizing that while AI is part of gaming, "great stories are created by humans." Sharma, who joined Microsoft in 2024, aims to build trust with players and developers, assuring that Xbox will not prioritize short-term efficiency or flood its ecosystem with AI-generated content. This comes as Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are stepping down from their leadership roles at Xbox.
Why Do Game Console Prices Keep Going Up?
The ongoing global chip shortage, exacerbated by the massive demand for AI data centers, is driving up prices for gaming consoles and PC components. This situation is leading to longer console generations, potential consolidation in the PC building market, and a shift towards cloud gaming as a more accessible option for consumers. While the shortage presents challenges, it could also lead to developers focusing more on optimizing games for existing hardware, potentially resulting in better-designed and more accessible gaming experiences in the long run.
Unity says its AI tech will soon be able to 'prompt full casual games into existence'
Unity CEO Matthew Bromberg announced that a new beta of Unity AI, launching in March, will allow developers to create full casual games using only natural language prompts. This AI-driven authoring tool aims to democratize game development for non-coders and increase productivity for all users by leveraging frontier models and Unity's platform context.
Best VR headset 2026
This guide reviews the best virtual reality headsets available, with the Meta Quest 3 being the top overall choice for its balance of features and price. Other recommended headsets include the Pico 4 as a non-Meta alternative, the Meta Quest 3S for budget-conscious buyers, and the Pimax Crystal for superior image quality. The article also covers factors like resolution, refresh rate, and ease of setup to help users choose the right VR headset for their needs.
Mark Rolston Confirms New Batman Game: Arkham Shadow Sequel in Development - New Game Network
Actor Mark Rolston has confirmed that a sequel to the virtual reality game Batman: Arkham Shadow is in development at Camouflaj. Rolston, who reprises his role as Commissioner Gordon, indicated that his work on the new title is about to begin. Batman: Arkham Shadow, released in late 2024, was critically acclaimed and has surpassed one million players, suggesting Meta may continue to invest in the VR series.
PlayStation hardware gets big price drop from Sony
Sony has permanently reduced the price of its PlayStation VR2 headset to $399.99, a significant drop from its original $549.99 retail price. This price adjustment, effective immediately and also applied to the Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle, aims to increase accessibility and adoption of Sony's virtual reality platform on the PlayStation 5. While the move is seen as a competitive measure against other VR platforms like Meta's Quest, its ultimate success hinges on stronger software support.
Sony unveils Xyn VR headset
Sony has unveiled its new extended reality (XR) headset, Xyn, designed for 3D object creation in film, animation, and games. The headset features 4K OLED displays, video passthrough, and a unique flip-up screen for seamless switching between VR and reality. While release date and pricing are unannounced, the Xyn aims to be a significant tool for creative professionals in the evolving XR market.
Meta discontinues Quest Pro headset
Meta has officially discontinued its Quest Pro virtual reality headset, which was launched in October 2022 for professionals and initially retailed for $1,500. The company is now directing consumers to the newer Meta Quest 3 for a premium mixed reality experience. This move comes as Meta's Reality Labs division faces significant financial losses, though the company remains committed to the AR/VR space with devices like the Quest 3 and Quest 3S.
