Technologies
Tighten Up Your VR Game With the Best Head Straps for Quest 2
Spending hours in the virtual world? Make your VR headset more comfortable with one of these head straps.
Virtual reality is fast becoming the next big space in video games. The Meta Quest 2 is the current leader among the best VR headsets that don’t require a PC to run — though the PSVR2 has just released as competition— but it does have issues (not least a price hike). My biggest gripe is the Quest 2’s head strap. It’s aggressively average, which means it can and should be replaced with something more pleasant to use for long periods of time.
The best head straps have plenty of support around the back of your head, as well as firm fittings to the front. In order to test out these Quest 2 head straps, I spent a lot of time playing in VR. It’s not easy playing games for a living, but I endured it for you. Here’s a list of my favorites.
James Bricknell/CNET
A new version of this headset was recently released with a new ratchet on the back and a more comfortable front shape. The extra comfort now makes this my go-to head strap.
One of the most important parts of a head strap is the padding, as it keeps your head secure while maintaining a good comfort level. This head strap from Yoges took that importance onboard and went all-in on making sure your head is padded everywhere. The strap even has extra pads that offer a counter to the pull from the back as the ratchet is tightened.
For long-term use, the Yoges offers one of the most comfortable experiences I’ve had so far. My only gripe is the center strap. It’s a little too short for my head, so it doesn’t feel as secure across the top.
Kiwi
The Kiwi head strap is a great budget alternative to the Elite strap, with a few nice editions that make it stand out from the competition. My son loves using this for long Beat Saber sessions, so it’s a firm favorite in our house.
Often when you’re wearing glasses with VR, the headset can often be uncomfortable to remove. I’ve banged my glasses and knocked them off a few times. The Kiwi head strap can tilt at an extreme angle, allowing you to put the headset on without knocking it into your face. It’s a far more comfortable experience than the Elite strap.
Yoges
I am constantly impressed with the comfort of the Yoges straps. The padding all around makes it incredibly secure and the added weight of the battery helps to balance the front screen. The battery is only 5,000mAh but that’s enough to fully charge the Quest 2 about one and a half times, so should keep you playing for a good long while.
Amazon
When I was looking to upgrade to an «elite» head strap for my virtual reality experience, I didn’t necessarily want to spend the cash for the official Oculus Elite version. I was looking for an Oculus Quest bundle that combined accessories, and I found this one from Esimen.
It includes a nice carrying case, which is what sold me on this. The strap is as good as others on this list, but the case is a bonus that the others lack.
James Bricknell/CNET
I bought the Elite strap as a bundle with my Oculus Quest 2 at launch, and while some people have suffered from breakages in that first batch, mine has performed admirably. This latest run of the Elite strap has removed the flaw altogether, so if you want to have a fully branded head strap, this is your best choice.
I’ve used my Elite strap for more hours than I count. From playing sweaty and energetic games like Supernatural to sitting in VR for an eight-hour workday, the only time the Elite strap felt uncomfortable was when I tightened it too much. If you can get it dialed in, it’s great.
Colohas via Amazon
One of the best things about a wireless VR headset like the Quest 2 is sharing it with others. Having brought my headset to a number of parties, I can say that hearing a disappointed «aww, OK» when you tell someone they can’t play because the battery died is a real bummer. I’ve used third-party battery packs that clip to your belt in the past to keep other headsets going, but the Oculus-made battery strap for the Quest 2 is something entirely different.
For starters, the added weight of the battery strap is a good thing — because it’s in the back of the headset, it causes a balancing effect that removes pressure from your nose and forehead. The battery also adds 2 hours of gameplay, and you never have to take it off. If you want to charge the headset, you just charge the battery. The power will flow through to both with no noticeable performance differences. It’s such a joy to use that I genuinely can’t imagine using a Quest 2 without one at this point.
Helpful head strap accessories
Having a better head strap is going to improve your VR experience, but there are also ways to improve your new head strap that will make it even better than that. Here are some of our favorite add-ons.
Anker
I’ve used Anker battery banks for my phones for years now, so it makes sense that I’d favor them for my Oculus, too. You could just put it in your pocket and attach the cable, but it works much better when connected to your head strap in any number of ways. I’ve even used velcro.
The bank isn’t too heavy, but it has enough bulk to help offset the Quest 2 headset and plenty of power to top up your Quest 2.
Amazon
While I think it is a better idea to buy a complete head strap replacement, it can cost more than you might have. After all, the headset wasn’t cheap in the first place. This cool little add-on from Kiwi adds a halo ring to the existing head strap to increase your comfort.
Adding a halo to the back of your head distributes the weight more evenly and makes it much more comfortable over long periods.
What should you look for in a head strap?
There are a few essential things to look at when choosing a head strap:
- A good halo that sits comfortably around the back of your head will help keep some of the weight away from your neck, making the Quest 2 feel lighter than it is.
- Padding is essential. Your skull has minimal padding; that padding needs to come from the head strap, not you.
- A ratchet to tighten up the Quest 2 is helpful as well. You don’t always want the head strap to be as tight as possible, but you need it to stay at the right tightness despite your jumping around.
- Lastly, it would be best if you had a strap that can twist but not break. You’ll be putting the head strap through the wringer, so the side pieces need to hold up to that.
Does the Quest 2 Elite strap still break?
While there are still isolated reports of breakages, the issue that plagued the Elite straps seems to have abated. Most of the issues we see now are from misuse as opposed to regular wear and tear. Our last bullet point on what you should look for exists because of this issue, so make sure whatever strap you choose has good reviews and doesn’t break regularly.
Technologies
Nvidia Is Building a Computer for AI Data Centers in Space
The big challenge is keeping things cool, apparently.
Space may be the next frontier for the AI infrastructure boom, but it will take some work to make that happen, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said during his keynote address Monday at the company’s GTC conference in San Jose, California.
While the company already has chips in satellites, creating a data center in space is an entirely different beast, Huang said. «Obviously, very complicated to do so.»
Nvidia isn’t the only one eyeing orbit for AI factories. Elon Musk has talked often of putting data centers in space, which makes sense considering he recently merged the AI company he owns with the rocket company he owns.
Read more: Nvidia GTC: All the AI and Robotics News From Jensen Huang’s Keynote
Space has some distinct advantages for data centers. For one, there are no zoning boards or neighbors to worry about annoying. You could likely power an orbital data center with solar power.There’s also a ton of room, although the number of satellites is making orbit crowded.
But there’s a big challenge that Nvidia is facing as it designs its Space-1 Vera Rubin module computer. How do you keep chips cool in a vacuum?
«In space, there’s no conduction, there’s no convection, it’s just radiation,» Huang said. «So we have to figure out how to cool these systems out in space.»
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for March 17, #540
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle No. 540 for Tuesday, March 17.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Yes, you saw both DUNKIN and DONUT in today’s Connections: Sports Edition. But, of course, those words weren’t referring to the bakery chain. That would be far too easy. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Hockey division.
Green group hint: Sporting goods.
Blue group hint: Some are birds.
Purple group hint: Sounds like a star hoops player.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: A Western Conference NHL player.
Green group: Baseball equipment.
Blue group: Items in NFL logos.
Purple group: Homophones of Basketball Hall of Famers.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is a Western Conference NHL player. The four answers are Blackhawk, Blue, Oiler and Shark.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is baseball equipment. The four answers are base, bat, donut and tee.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is items in NFL logos. The four answers are bolt, fleur-de-lis, horseshoe and swords.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is homophones of basketball Hall-of-Famers. The four answers are Berry, Dunkin, Morning and Weighed.
Technologies
ByteDance’s AI Video Tool Seedance 2.0 Reportedly Delayed Amid Hollywood Pressure
The global rollout of the video tool, which sparked panic with its cinema-quality AI-generated video, appears to be delayed.
China’s ByteDance is delaying the global rollout of its Seedance 2.0 video-generating AI model, according to a report from The Information.
When it debuted in China in February, Seedance 2.0 caused a stir, as high-quality AI-generated videos made with the new model flooded social media, featuring existing actors and familiar intellectual property, including Tom Cruise and Star Wars. Unlike typical AI slop — or even advanced video from other AI-generation models — some of the Seedance-generated videos posted looked photorealistic enough to be mistaken for footage from big-budget Hollywood films or TV shows.
The model was expected to be rolled out to other countries by mid-March, but according to the report, ByteDance is working on ways to address legal and copyright issues that would arise in countries outside China.
Hollywood studios and unions did not react kindly to the videos that surfaced online in February.
The Motion Picture Association demanded that ByteDance «immediately cease its infringing activity,» referring to copyrighted works that appear to be used in training the model.
Labor union SAG-AFTRA, representing Hollywood performers, said it also condemned the Seedance model, pointing to the danger that the AI model could pose to actors’ careers in a statement. The union noted: «Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent.»
Representatives for ByteDance and SAG-AFTRA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What’s different about Seedance 2.0
Like many other industries, the entertainment world is being upended by AI technologies, with concerns that tools will put human creatives out of work.
As AI-generated video content, animation, screenwriting and other forms evolve rapidly, popular photo and video generators are getting heat for propagating deepfakes and relying on copyrighted content. Many would have trouble spotting an AI-generated actress as fake, and viewers could easily confuse some AI-generated cinema with Marvel movies or other full-blown Hollywood productions.
While other AI-generators tools such as OpenAI’s Sora or Google’s Veo can quickly make videos good enough for casual social media use, Seedance 2.0 appears to be able to bypass some of the usual tells of AI video — text appears clear and not garbled, faces look convincingly human and there aren’t extra fingers or other strange AI hallucinations you might find in other AI video models. One viral example of this was «Will Smith Eating Spaghetti,» in which Seedance 2.0 created a video that convincingly depicted the actor eating a plate of pasta.
The degree of realism that makes footage practically indistinguishable from traditionally produced film and video is a prime reason why movie and TV studios have cause for concern.
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