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2023 Could Be the Metaverse’s Make-or-Break Year

A wave of new VR/AR headsets is coming, but Apple’s plan is the biggest mystery of all.

I could tell you about all the VR headsets and AR glasses and theoretical apps I tried this year that were supposed to define 2022’s vision of the metaverse. Instead I’ll just tell you about the best thing I did this year, and the thing I miss the most: Doing improv acting workshops with a little group of other performers in VR.

We gathered every week in an app called Altspace VR, invited by a brilliant interactive acting teacher named Jeff Wirth. We met every Monday, exploring ideas in performance with avatars. I put on my Quest 2 headset in my dusty little home office and met with friends I’d never seen in person.

The class ended too soon, and when I look back, I remember these sessions like we were really together. That’s what the metaverse is to me. It’s a real thing. We’re just not all there yet.

2022: A brief look forward, but only brief

More recently, standing in a kitchen, changing countertops and looking at cabinet finishes, I walk over to the window. I see a blank white room outside, along with a mirror. I see myself, with a VR headset on. I’m standing in a virtual room, suspended in a real room with mixed reality, wearing a Varjo XR-3 headset. This jarring moment represents the future — yet still the unrealized potential — of what could be coming next.

I thought 2022 would be a big year for VR and AR, and even the metaverse, a buzzword concept that’s a stand-in for how the world’s internet and virtual communities, including social media, could evolve. It wasn’t. An economic downturn, crypto’s collapse, waves of tech layoffs, and the delay of many of the most-expected VR/AR devices turned this year around fast.

Now 2023 is looking to be the big year for immersive «extended reality» (aka XR). Apple’s long-expected headset should arrive, with expectations that it’ll rattle the landscape. Meta’s Quest 3 is confirmed. The PlayStation VR 2, a headset I’ve already tried, is coming in February. And who knows what other surprises the new year will bring?

As far as the metaverse goes, it’ll only move as far as mass social adoption takes it. I’m more interested in the hardware that’ll power such tech, because until VR and AR headsets take their next leap, it’s still going to be a challenge to expect people to spend more time in them than they already are. But this is what 2022 showed me, and where it points to 2023.

Magic Leap 2, Meta Quest Pro: A mixed-reality future coming

The two headsets that made the biggest impact on me this year bookended 2022: Magic Leap 2 and Meta Quest Pro. They are, in many ways, mirror products. One is trying to approach the future of mixed reality from the AR side; the other is coming to mixed reality from the VR side. Both are trying to become more comfortable, and more reliable. Both show that there still is no ideal form for The Next Headset yet, but we’re slowly getting closer to a consensus on how the devices might do it.

The Magic Leap 2, a follow-up to the original Magic Leap headset that debuted back in 2018, has pivoted from a device targeted at the masses to a headset for business. The hardware is considerably better, and it maps overlaid, glowing virtual objects onto the real world with a greater field of view. It also, amazingly, dims out the world – a bit like a pair of sunglasses. But it’s not the ideal set of AR glasses: it runs on a more powerful dedicated processor connected to a belt-mounted mini-computer that it’s tethered to, and its single controller is fine for basic controls but not necessarily for full immersive interaction.

The Meta Quest Pro really isn’t that big a change from the two-year-old Quest 2, and certainly isn’t worth the extra $1,100 for anyone who isn’t a developer. But its improved features eye- and face-tracking, and better mixed reality with color passthrough cameras — are indicators of what will show up on many VR headsets (and AR ones) in 2023 and beyond.

The Quest Pro’s mixed reality is what really surprised me. It’s not great, but it’s similar in spirit to what the Varjo XR-3 headset can do. And the Pro, when it’s on my head running a mixed-reality app, reminds me more of AR headsets like the Microsoft HoloLens 2 than a VR headset. The way I can see the world and also see around the display through my peripheral vision feels like some sort of glasses-like AR experience, for a moment, even if it’s not.

No one is able to make good AR glasses yet. Instead, everyone’s trying to get a bit closer as best they can.

Expect more competition for Meta

The Pico 4 VR headset, made by TikTok parent company ByteDance, feels like a clone of the Meta Quest 2 but with some improvements. What’s really surprising is its price undercuts Meta’s. ByteDance did this intentionally, and likely at a loss, but it shows that somewhat affordable standalone VR headsets could be a much more common thing going forward. Pico already has them. Some of Qualcomm’s device partners using the company’s ubiquitous VR/AR chips will have them, including, likely, HTC Vive, which is already teasing a mixed-reality headset for CES. Valve is rumored to have a standalone VR headset of its own, codenamed Project Deckard, that could make a big gaming splash. Pimax, a manufacturer of VR headsets, has a combination gaming handheld/VR headset called the Pimax Portal expected for early 2023, too.

What about phone-connected headsets?

Qualcomm has been promising a wave of phone-tethered AR and VR devices for years, and they’ve been starting to emerge. HTC’s Vive Flow, released in 2021, was an attempt at a smaller pair of phone/VR glasses. Qualcomm’s latest initiatives for smaller AR glasses arriving between 2023 and 2025 can work wirelessly with phones. It’s probably pretty likely that the powerful phones we carry with us will help do some of the heavy lifting for smaller headsets in the next few years. Apple could be planning that approach with its expected headset in 2023.

Here comes Apple

Apple’s long-expected headset, likely to be VR with mixed-reality capabilities similar to what the Quest Pro provides, could shake up the landscape like nothing else since the Oculus Rift. Apple’s products tend to disrupt and take over categories: the iPhone, the iPad, the Apple Watch, AirPods. Can Apple do the same with VR and AR? It’s a far greater challenge, especially with the technical questions and the expected price (well over $1,000, possibly several thousand), as well as the recession climate we’re in globally.

Even more interesting to me is who else comes out of the woodwork alongside Apple. Google has been laying low with AR and VR for years since its discontinued Google Daydream platform, but recent efforts like Project Starline and assistive smart glasses show there’s exploration going on. Samsung hasn’t had a new AR or VR device in years, either, even though the company was a VR pioneer with Gear VR and tends to jump into markets early with bold experimental products. Will 2023 be a year for showing surprise products?

Will people care enough to wear them?

As I ask myself whether VR headsets really have a future in people’s homes, I’m distracted by my 14-year-old son, who’s literally playing a VR game on the Quest 2 right next to me. VR’s already here for many people. It’s hard to appreciate that. It’s not «what if,» it’s «what else can I do?». VR headsets are mostly clever, limited-use game consoles for most people. Meta’s tried to flex the Quest to be more. Not everyone’s been interested, and the Quest’s not fully up to the challenge.

The next wave of VR and AR headsets need to be better at what they do: to be better game consoles; have more comfortable displays, more useful controllers and ways to interact; be more interconnected with the apps and devices we already have; be more portable and more accessible.

They need to work better with prescription glasses (I find many headsets don’t fit with my glasses, or can’t accommodate my prescription). New apps need to emerge that can show what a seamless 3D virtual world can do for us. Sony, Meta, possibly Apple and whoever else shows up next year need to do this, because VR/AR headsets aren’t necessary tools for everyone yet. They have proved some successes: for design, for simulations, for gaming, even for fitness. In 2023, I’m interested in seeing if they can be more.

One thing that does seem certain, though: There are a lot of new VR headsets coming in 2023, and they’re coming soon.

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Celebrate Google’s Birthday With $200 Off the Google Pixel 9

Looking to upgrade your phone? This offer treats you to a $200 discount on this excellent last-gen model.

In honor of Google’s birthday, the company is offering up a number of deals, and Amazon has decided to match an excellent one for those looking to upgrade to a new phone. Normally $899, you can grab a Pixel 9 phone at Amazon for $699. That’s a nice $200 savings. The Pixel 9 isn’t the latest Pixel phone but it’s still a fantastic option. So much so that we even consider it one of the best Android phones out there. Act fast, this birthday deal isn’t going to last long.

The Google Pixel 9 is the sweet spot if you are looking for a compact phone that doesn’t compromise on camera, performance or display specs. It has a 6.3-inch display, a long-lasting battery and is, of course, 5G-ready. And this previous-gen flagship has a camera system without any differentiation from the bigger model of that series. It also comes equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The phone is available in multiple colors but the special price isn’t offered across all of them. For that reason, we suggest making sure to check the price of your preferred color before placing your order. Don’t worry if the Pixel 9 isn’t for you, though. We’re rounding up all the best phone deals so you don’t wind up paying more than you need to.

MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

This Pixel 9 isn’t the latest that Google has to offer, but it’s still a great option. The Pixel 9 will continue to receive Android feature and security updates for a long time to come. That means you won’t need to replace your Pixel for years, making this deal an even better value. If you’re an Android fan who likes their phones to be as straightforward as possible, Google’s Pixel phones are a great place to start your search.

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New iPhone 17 or Air on Your Radar? Get Ready for These Prices Today

The newest iPhone lineup drops today, but tariffs aren’t to blame for the premium price; that’s just Apple’s MO.

As the newest iPhones hit the shelves today, the Apple faithful can count their blessings that they aren’t paying more for the new phones. iPhones have never been cheap, but it was pretty clear when the prices for the new iPhone 17 lineup were revealed at Apple’s fall iPhone event earlier this month that they could have gotten worse, considering the year of tariffs and other economic turmoil.

CNET senior editor James Bricknell wasn’t surprised by the iPhone prices.

«Given the tariffs and all the other stuff that’s happened in the past year, the prices are good,» he said. «They match what you would expect in terms of inflation rather than the leap I was expecting.»

Apple unveiled three models during the event: the iPhone 17, the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 Pro. That’s right — the skinny new iPhone Air doesn’t have «17» in its name. The full lineup also includes the low-end iPhone 16E, released earlier this year.

iPhone 16E, from $599

CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland reviewed the iPhone 16E, which is Apple’s most affordable iPhone, and noted that some compromises had to be made to get the price down. There’s no Dynamic Island cutout for one thing, and it only comes in black and white.

iPhone 17, from $799

The standard iPhone 17 has some small upgrades over past models, namely a new chip, a brighter and sharper screen, better cameras and an improved selfie camera. With the introduction of the super-thin iPhone Air, this phone is now Apple’s entry-level flagship.

iPhone Air, from $999

The new iPhone Air made headlines for its slim shape, weighing in at just 165 grams. Apple called the Air the «most power-efficient iPhone we have ever made» and says it has all-day battery life. It clocks in at just under $1,000 as its starting price.

iPhone 17 Pro, from $1,099

The priciest iPhones are the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which pack a range of camera upgrades plus a new orange color. While the iPhone 16 Pro was slightly cheaper at a $999 starting price last year, CNET Editor-at-Large Andrew Lanxon notes, «It’s now got double the storage and actually costs the same as the equivalent 256GB iPhone 16 Pro.»

If you’re rolling in cash, the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB of storage will happily take more of your money. It’s priced at $1,999. 

How to order the new iPhone

Sold on the new iPhone lineup? Preorders begin on Friday, and launch day is Sept. 19.

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Skip Your Weekend Plans and Play Hades, Now Back on Xbox Game Pass

Game Pass subscribers can also play the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 early access open beta starting Oct. 2.

The god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler game Hades is one of the most popular games in recent memory — and one of my personal all-time favorite games. The gameplay feels smooth, it’s easily replayable and the game’s writing is full of heart and emotion. Game developer Supergiant Games is gearing up to release Hades 2 soon but if you missed playing the original — or want to replay it — you can on Xbox Game Pass now.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, smart TV and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to an extensive library of games, with new ones, like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, added monthly, plus other benefits such as online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles.

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Here are the games Game Pass subscribers can play soon. You can also check out the games Microsoft added to the service in early September, including Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 17.

This rebooted first-person shooter comes to Game Pass Standard subscribers more than a  year after Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could play it. You can continue the story of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as you and a team of special forces members try to track down an ultranationalist terrorist. You can also take on hordes of the undead in the zombies gameplay mode or challenge your friends in multiplayer mode. With the Carry Forward feature, you can transfer much of your content and weapons progressions from Modern Warfare 2 to this game. 

For the King 2

Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 17.

Get ready for this turn-based roguelite tabletop RPG — try to say that five times fast. You and up to three others will work to overthrow the tyrannical Queen Rosomon and bring an end to her oppressive reign. You’ll encounter enemies and friends in lush forests, lava-filled wastelands and Merling-filled tropical seas. 

Overthrown (Game preview)

Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 17.

Build and manage your kingdom as a monarch with a magical crown in this city-builder game. Be prepared to defend your home at a moment’s notice. Farm the land, build structures needed to survive and protect your citizens from mutants and bandits to keep your people happy. 

Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could play this game in January and Game Pass Standard subscribers can get in on the fun, too.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play starting Sept. 17.

If you played Vampire Survivors, you should give this game a try. It’s another auto-shooter game where your character automatically shoots at enemies, and you have to avoid attacks while also mining minerals from the alien world Planet Hoxxes. And really, you play a dwarf miner in space, need I say more? 

Frostpunk 2

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play starting Sept. 18.

Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could play this game on PC in 2024, and now Microsoft is bringing this game to console and Xbox Cloud Gaming (beta).

This city-building survival game asks you to make the tough decisions needed to ensure your community survives in an arctic apocalypse. Set 30 years after the events of the award-winning Frostpunk, you play as the Steward, who takes control of the city after the Captain — the original game’s player character — dies. The city is struggling with overpopulation plus food and coal shortages, among other issues. It’s up to you to build shelter and provide enough food for everyone while dealing with the factions vying for power. 

Wobbly Life

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 18.

Get ready to explore this silly, vibrant, open-world physics sandbox game with your friends or on your own. The world is filled with minigames, missions, secrets, collectibles and tons of clothing options to find and unlock. Plus, there are almost 100 vehicles you can use as part of jobs or that you can just crash for the fun of it. It’s up to you.

Hades

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 19.

If I were stuck on an island and could only play five games, Hades would be one of them. It’s an engaging roguelike game with tons of ways to overcome your enemies, but the real star of the game is the touching story about relationships and forgiveness. There’s a reason it made history as the first (and so far only) game to win a Hugo Award — an accolade usually given to science fiction and fantasy literary works, but that created a special category for video games in 2021.

Endless Legend 2 (Game preview)

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play starting on Sept. 22.

Lead your faction to build a great empire that can crush your enemies in this fantasy strategy game. You can play as warriors descended from the stars, cursed knights or hive-minded beasts, but know that each faction has its strengths, weaknesses and unique philosophies that can influence the rest of the game. And fending off enemies is just one challenge in this game. You’ll have to adapt to the changing environment as well. Will you expand as the tides reveal new treasures, or focus on improving your defenses?

Sworn

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play starting Sept. 23.

Arthur and his Knights of the Roundtable have been corrupted in this roguelike game and it’s up to you to bring them down. This game supports up to four-player co-op action and players’ strengths can be combined in surprising ways to become worthy knights.

Peppa Pig: World Adventures

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 25.

Make a pizza in Italy, climb the Eiffel Tower and explore more places with your friends and family in this Peppa Pig game. You can meet characters, build your perfect house and go on adventures across the world with Peppa and others.

Visions of Mana

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 25.

Square Enix’s latest game in the Mana series follows Val and his childhood friend Hinna as they go on a journey to the legendary Mana Tree. You’ll encounter adorable yet ferocious creatures, use the powers of Elementals in battles and explore a vast semi-open world on your adventure. 

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play starting Sept. 30.

Lara Croft is back in this action-adventure game as she attempts to find the Mirror of Smoke. Along the way, she encounters a Mayan tribesman named Totec who has unique weapons and skills to help Lara on her quest. This game has the classic Tomb Raider gameplay elements like exploration, platforming and puzzle solving.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Early Access Open Beta

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play between Oct. 2 and 7.

Fight it out in new 6v6 multiplayer maps, master an arsenal of new weapons and experience the next Call of Duty game before everyone else in the open beta of Black Ops 7. Early access to the beta launches at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT Oct. 2 and will last 72 hours. Then, the open beta launches at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT  Oct. 5 before concluding Oct. 8. 

Sopa — Tale of the Stolen Potato

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play starting Oct. 7.

Miho goes to the pantry to grab a potato for his grandmother’s soup when he lands in a fantastical land. Now he has to find his way back home by following in the footsteps of a mysterious traveler from long ago. You’ll meet quirky characters, gather exotic ingredients and take in vibrant environments in this world of magical realism inspired by Latin America.

More games on Game Pass Core

Xbox Game Pass Core is the cheapest subscription tier ($10 a month) and gives people access to a handful of games. Microsoft occasionally adds games to this tier and on Oct. 1, the company is bringing these games to the service.

Games leaving Game Pass on Sept. 30

While Microsoft is adding those games to Xbox Game Pass, the company is also removing a few games from the service on Sept. 30. You’ll have to buy these games separately after that date.

For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you. You can also check out what to know about upcoming Xbox game price hikes.

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