Meta Closes 3 Acquired Studios & Cancels Arkham Shadow Sequel

Quality Note: We were unable to record this episode in our typical VR studio and quickly set up in Horizon Workrooms. As a result, there are some audio quality issues.- Gorilla Tag & VRChat Set Usage Records- Apple's Open-Source On-Device AI Volumetric Scenes- Apple Immersive Lakers Schedule- Meta Glasses Get 'Conversation Focus'- Meta Rolls Out Neural Band Handwriting Recognition- Meta & EssilorLuxottica Discuss Increasing Production- Meta Closes Twisted Pixel, Armature & Sanzaru- Batman: Arkham Shadow Sequel Canceled- Supernatural No Longer Getting New Content- Discussion: Meta's Shift Away From VR GamingRecorded January 15, 2026. 

We discuss reports that third-party Horizon OS headsets, including the one from Asus, have seemingly been canceled. We also cover Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth's response to the speculation, the new Disney+ app on Quest, and the Hand Tracking 2.4 update.Here's the full topic list, in order:1. Best Buy's $250 Quest 3S Deal Is Back2. visionOS Update Improves Tracking In Cars & Buses3. Quest Gets Disney+ App With Downloads & Dolby AtmosQuest Hand Tracking4. Hand Tracking 2.4 Improves Fast Motion Mode5. Interaction SDK Gets Hand Tracking Climbing & LocomotionMeta CTO Statement & Third-Party Horizon OS Headsets Cancelation6. Meta CTO Responds To Speculation: "VR Is Not Dead"7. Third-Party Horizon OS Headsets Seemingly Canceled

We discuss Meta confirming a funding shift from the Metaverse toward AI glasses, reports of a delay for its ultralight headset, and work starting on a gaming-focused Quest 4. We also cover Samsung Galaxy XR getting realistic avatars, the first clip of Xreal's Project Aura device, and Valve's comments on the blurring lines between VR and non-VR content.Here's the full topic list, in order:1. Valve On The Blurring Lines Between VR & Non-VR Content2. Share Quest Activity As Discord StatusMeta Statement & Leaked Memos3. Meta Confirms Shifting Some Funding From Metaverse Toward AI Glasses4. Meta Delays Ultralight Headset, Starts Work On Gaming-Focused Quest 4Android XR Features & Xreal Project Aura Tease5. Samsung Galaxy XR Gets 'Likeness' Avatars & Travel Mode6. First Clip Of Xreal's Project Aura Android XR Device7. Android XR AI Feature Turns Any 2D Window 3D

We discuss FluxPose potentially becoming the spiritual successor to Lighthouse body tracking, GravityXR building a chip to enable ultralight headsets, reports that Meta Reality Labs is facing a budget cut, and Apple's Head of UI leaving to lead design at Meta.Here's the full topic list, in order:1. Quest Gets Second Exclusive 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' Clip2. Visiting Meta's Los Angeles Store3. FluxPose Could Be The Spiritual Successor To Lighthouse Body Tracking4. GravityXR Builds Chip To Enable Ultralight Headsets5. Meta's Smart Glasses SDK Now Available To Build With6. Meta Reality Labs Reportedly Facing Up To 30% Budget Cut7. Apple's Head Of UI Leaves To Lead Design At Meta Reality Labs

We discuss the best Black Friday XR deals including steep Quest 3S discounts with Horizon+ perks and PS VR2’s limited-time price cut, as well as Meta’s new smart glasses trade-in program that even gives credit for AirPods. We also cover Godot’s upgraded XR support with a universal OpenXR APK, the latest Horizon OS v83 features like system-level positional TimeWarp and temporal dimming, and the reportedly upcoming 2026 Pico headset with 4K micro-OLED displays and an R1-style chip. Finally, we dive into the latest AI tools for 3D layout and reconstruction including Meta’s WorldGen, systems that bring real-world objects and images into VR in seconds, and the new Horizon Hyperscape update that lets you invite friends as Meta avatars, along with our hands-on impressions of visiting Hyperscape worlds.

We discuss the best Black Friday VR deals including Quest 3S bundles at Costco and Best Buy, and PS VR2 dropping to $300, as well as Lynx’s next headset reportedly skipping Android XR while aiming for the widest standalone field of view. We also dive into TCL’s high-density OLED displays and how they could enable the midrange headsets VR needs, then share our thoughts on Steam Frame one week after its reveal, including why it isn’t Valve Index 2 – and why that’s a good thing – plus what its reportedly unprecedented modular design could mean for PC VR.

We discuss our full review of Meta Ray-Ban with the new heads-up display, exploring how this first-generation take on mobile computing holds up in everyday use, followed by an extended Q&A. We also talk about Apple now selling PS VR2 Sense controllers for Vision Pro, the latest Apple Immersive Video experience that puts you aboard the USS Nimitz as Super Hornets launch, and Meta’s new LA retail store focused on smart glasses and Quest headsets.

We discuss Valve’s official announcement of Steam Frame, a streaming-first standalone VR headset, and our hands-on impressions after trying it. We also dig into Valve’s goal of increasing the value of your Steam library with this device and what it means that Valve isn’t currently working on a new VR game.

We discuss our impressions of Logitech’s MX Ink for Quest and Muse for Apple Vision Pro, which currently paint an unfinished picture for creative input. We also cover Quest 3S hitting its lowest-ever price in certified refurbished stock, Sharp crowdfunding a strange lightweight tethered PC VR headset, new findings from Cambridge and Meta that “retinal” resolution is far higher than 60 PPD, and Meta’s $1.5 million competition for new Quest apps and significant updates.

We discuss our weekend with Samsung Galaxy XR, including on-device sideloading with an open bootloader, its hidden USB-C port for accessories and hubs, why Google Maps stands out among the included software, and how Android XR’s APK ecosystem works without a phone or PC. We also cover Vimeo adding Apple Immersive Video support, VRChat arriving on iPhone, iPad, and flatscreen Android, and Magic Leap and Google extending their partnership with a HUD glasses prototype. Plus, we dig into Meta Reality Labs’ rising revenue as retailers stock Quest 3S for the holidays, the v83 PTC’s evolved Horizon OS UI teased at Connect, and the restructure separating Horizon OS from the “metaverse.”