Digital Trends Live: Xbox Series X, Oculus Quest VR headset, and more

By Todd Werkhoven Published April 25, 2023

On this episode of Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler talks the top tech of the day, including using tech to detect and combat coronavirus, Airbus’ “smell sensors,” the Xbox Series X boot screen, the Oculus Quest VR headset, and more.

David “iPodKingCarter” Carter

Nibler then speaks with David “iPodKingCarter” Carter, who has been uploading NBA2K content to YouTube for the last decade.

Pia Toscano

Next up. recording artist Pia Toscano talks about her journey from American Idol to sharing the stage with the likes of Andrea Bocelli and David Foster.

It’s then time for Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet, where we take a look at the best upcoming Kickstarter projects, including the Ovo Nova portable fitness gym and the HydraCell Power Cube.

Finally, we discuss some home technology that’s been on Americans’ minds lately: Bidets. Are they really that much better than using traditional toilet paper?

Topics

Todd Werkhoven's work can be read at numerous publications and he co-authored a personal finance book called "Zombie…

Gaming

Razer’s first VR accessories aim to make the Meta Quest 2 more comfortable

A Meta Quest 2 floats in the air with Razer accessories attached to it.

Razer is breaking into the VR space with its firs Meta Quest 2 accessories. Its Adjustable Head Strap System and Facial Interface aim to make the headset more comfortable, allowing for longer play sessions.

The product line was announced at Razer's CES 2023 presentation, which highlighted the Razer Edge, Razer Blade 16, and more. These peripherals are particularly notable as they mark Razer's first experiments with VR, which involve tinkering with preexisting headsets. The project is a collaboration between Razer and ResMed, a company that specializes in human factors.

Gaming

You can now customize your Xbox Elite Series 2 controller with Design Lab

A customized Xbox Elite Series 2 controller made in Design Lab.

Microsoft added the ability for people to design their own Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 in the Xbox Design Lab. Starting today, you can customize and order this kind of controller on Xbox Design Lab's website.
Customize Elite with Xbox Design Lab
Colloquially referred to as the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller, this enhanced gamepad first released in 2019. Unlike the standard Xbox One or Xbox Series X controllers, the Elite Series 2 features adjustable-tension thumbsticks and shorter hair-trigger locks on the trigger buttons in addition to interchangeable thumbstick toppers, paddles, and d-pads. Meanwhile, the Xbox Design Lab first launched in 2016 and gives people a way to design and order Xbox controllers with customized colors and engravings.
While there was already a bit of customization with the Elite Series 2's buttons, players can now go to Xbox Design Lab and personalize the colors of the body, back case, d-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks, thumbstick base and ring, and buttons. You can even adjust the hue of the Xbox button on your controller with the Xbox Accessories App once it's in your hands. You can get the controller itself for just $150, but if you want all of the interchangeable accessories, the price jumps up to $210.
This announcement comes on the same day as the release date reveal for Sony's DualSense Edge, a customizable PS5 controller. It will cost $200 when it launches on January 26, 2023, though people will have to pay an extra $20 if they want to get replaceable stick modules. Whether you play on Xbox or PlayStation, you certainly don't have a lack of options when it comes to customizable controllers.

Gaming

Xbox Game Pass’ cloud service is coming to the Meta Quest 2 and Pro

Meta Quest Xbox Cloud Gaming

During the Meta Connect presentation, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to the Meta Quest store. That means VR users will be able to play Game Pass titles on both the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro.

"In fact, many people are already playing our most popular games like Flight Simulator and Minecraft in VR today," says Nadella during the stream. "With xCloud gaming, you can stream hundreds of games to any device allowing you to connect with gamers in all new ways, whether they're right next to you or sitting on the other side of the world."