When we first covered Valve's own teaser about their first-party VR hardware ecosystem under the Valve Index moniker, we were not expecting to hear much more until May. Thanks to an error on their part, product pages for the headset, base stands, and controllers were all published prematurely on Steam for a few hours yesterday, and that was enough time for all the information to be saved online by others. The product pages were not complete, and lacked details that we expect to get sooner than later, but Valve has since confirmed that all information inadvertently leaked are accurate and we now more about the retail package now.

To begin with, May 1 is targeted as the official announcement date which will also bring with it pre-order options for those going this route in PC VR. The complete package will contain the headset itself with integrated headphones, of which we have a better render available now as seen below, a tether cable using DisplayPort 1.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 connections (and not the VirtualLink standard we were hoping to see), a region-specific power adapter and plug(s), and two face gaskets (narrow and wide). Interestingly the now-renamed Index Controllers are not included and are an optional, separate purchase. This is also the case with the Index base stations, which all leads us to assume that existing HTC Vive controllers and base stations will be compatible with the headset, or there will be another, more complete package to choose from. No pricing information available yet, and Valve says they are still finalizing this as well as actual shipping detail- with an aim to hit it in June.

ROCCAT Studios proudly unveils the Noz - the brand-new over-ear stereo headset in its portfolio. In the age of competitive gaming, comfort headsets have become a necessity. At only 210 grams, the Noz was designed with exceptional comfort in mind. From the ellipse earcups shape, to the materials used, the Noz is easy to wear for extensive periods. Its extra-soft breathable fabric on the earpads and headband ensure distraction-free gaming. Yet, comfort didn't sacrifice the overall build quality. The solid metal hinges and stainless-steel headband sliders provide structural reinforcement in key areas of use.

The earcups show both mat and glossy finishes. The leather headband as well as the Noz logo feature a new style for a fresh look, making the Noz is without doubt the most stylish headset from the brand line-up yet. The ellipse shape earcups not only offer the proper amount of ear space. The top of the line 50 mm drivers inside are perfectly ergonomically aligned to naturally balance and distribute the sound flow to the ears. The earcups are also host to a volume wheel control and a mute/un-mute button. The Real-Voice Mic is perfectly tailored for clear communication and can be easily removed when needed. The Noz is rich and immersive both by its engineering and design, qualities that ROCCAT strives to reflect in its product portfolio.

PAX East 2019 brought with it some exciting news, and the world of virtual reality no doubt sees this news as the biggest in quite some time. Valve has finally made good on their promises from yesteryear, bringing in personnel to work on both the hardware and software side of the VR market. We first saw a hint of this via a prototype VR HMD late last year, with leaked specs confirming it was Valve's own design going beyond the established competition at the time from HTC Vive and Oculus. Since then, the Vive Pro has come out with an even higher-end version using eye-tracking to target prosumers initially, and also showcasing foveated rendering that will no doubt herald VR getting more mainstream and allowing for a higher graphical fidelity as well.

The so-called Valve Index has been listed on Steam now, with no other information to see than from the image below. We know it is coming in a couple of months, perhaps even during Computex although it is unlikely. It certainly looks similar to the prototype HMD, and presumably retains the 135° field-of-view and 2,880 x 1,600 total resolution. No mention of the Steam Knuckles controller here, but that is no surprise for a teaser. What we can tell is the headset has a physical slider, presumably to assist with pupillary distance calibration, as well as fairly large lenses that extend outwards which may assist with IR-based tracking. There is no mention of HTC anywhere here, and it would be right up Valve's alley to introduce this at a relatively affordable price point to then make up on software and distribution (savings via Steam) instead. Perhaps we will see the long-rumored Half Life VR as a launch title? Time will tell, and this may well be the big boost to gaming VR that is sorely needed.

Turtle Beach (NASDAQ: HEAR), a global leader in gaming audio, today unveiled the all-new Recon 70 - the Company's latest series of powerful and affordable wired gaming headsets, and the successor to the Turtle Beach's Recon 50. The Recon 70 is built to give gamers the advantage they need on any battlefield, on any platform. Available for a MSRP of £29.99, the Recon 70 delivers high-quality game audio through powerful 40mm over-ear speakers and features Turtle Beach's signature high-sensitivity flip-to-mute mic. The Recon 70's lightweight design includes a padded and adjustable headband, while synthetic leather-wrapped ear cushions provide unmatched comfort so players can focus on the match and secure that win.

The Recon 70 for Nintendo Switch , with its signature red accents, is available now at www.turtlebeach.com and at participating retailers in North America. Additionally, black and white models of the Recon 70 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will be available in North America starting May 1, 2019, with pre-orders available now. Also available on May 1, 2019 will be a midnight red version of the Recon 70 for PS4 .

Since the release of HoloLens in 2016 we have seen mixed reality transform the way work gets done. We have unlocked super-powers for hundreds of thousands of people who go to work every day. From construction sites to factory floors, from operating rooms to classrooms, HoloLens is changing how we work, learn, communicate and get things done.

We are entering a new era of computing, one in which the digital world goes beyond two-dimensional screens and enters the three-dimensional world. This new collaborative computing era will empower us all to achieve more, break boundaries and work together with greater ease and immediacy in 3D. Today, we are proud to introduce the world to Microsoft HoloLens 2. Our customers asked us to focus on three key areas to make HoloLens even better. They wanted HoloLens 2 to be even more immersive and more comfortable, and to accelerate the time-to-value.

snakebyte group, leading innovators of consumer electronics hardware, announced today the shipping of the HEAD:SET PRO PC, an all-new premium gaming headset without the premium price. Focusing on high-quality audio and featuring an impressive specification, the HEAD:SET PROis ideal for the discerning PC gamer looking for a quality headset without the overinflated price tag.

Advanced 50mm Neodymium Drivers engineered for gaming audio, reproduce every explosion, shot or team conversation with crystal-clear clarity, giving gamers the winning edge, they need to come out on top. Engineered from memory foam, the luxury earcups feature passive noise cancellation technology so gamers can concentrate on the action on screen without distraction.

Ninjas in Pyjamas' gaming gear brand Xtrfy has announced its first product launch of 2019. The new Xtrfy H2 gaming headset hits stores this March. Following up their premium esports headset, H1, Swedish gaming gear specialists Xtrfy are now announcing the launch of the new addition to their audio range. The Xtrfy H2 is a headset ready for competitive gaming, at a competitive price point.

"We're truly excited to introduce the Xtrfy H2. Not only because we're proud of what this headset brings to the table - it's also a new chapter for us as it completes our audio range and makes Xtrfy headsets available to gamers of all levels", says Joakim Jansson, CEO at Xtrfy.

Today, Logitech G, leading innovator of gaming technologies and products, introduced a new lineup of gaming headsets, engineered to deliver the ultimate in sound science and the most immersive audio gaming experience. "Whether you're into tricking out your battlestation or tearing it up in your favorite battle royale game, we want you to get the superior audio and comfort you deserve," stated Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager, Logitech Gaming. "We're always exploring new ways to deliver amazing gaming experiences, and that's just what we're bringing to the table with these new headsets."

LucidSound, the fastest growing gaming headset brand, announced today shipping of the LS41 Wireless Surround Headset, a premium surround sound, multi-format headset and a new flagship model for the Company. Available now via Amazon and other leading gaming retailers, the LS41 features wireless audio when used with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and can also be used with Nintendo Switch and other mobile devices via the 3.5mm wired connection.

Beyerdynamic had a lot for us to check out at CES 2019 including their new Soul BYRD In-ear Headset which they debuted at the event. Designed to be an all-rounder it delivers well-balanced sound along with a universal three-button remote with microphone that allows for full functionality with Android and iOS devices giving users access to both platforms respective virtual assistants along with the flexibility of media playback, and phone calls. They use a closed design to prevent sound penetrating out while still being focused on comfort via its ergonomic shape that gives users a snug fit. It even has aluminum faceplates giving the Soul BYRD a clean, premium feel. To accommodate various ear shapes and sizes, Beyerdynamic includes five in ear tip sizes from XS to XL. MSRP is listed as $89.00.

Next up during our little tour was the Beat BYRD which is another in-ear design that focuses on delivering balanced sound and powerful bass. It uses an ergonomically shaped housing for a secure fit much like the Soul BYRD with flexible cabling for extended comfort during use. The ones on display featured bright orange wiring indeed living up the high-flier moniker in the placard. However, unlike the Soul BYRD, the Beat BYRD in-ears are just headphones. Meanwhile, the Blue BYRD offering gets rid of the wires altogether and instead uses Bluetooth for connectivity. Like the Soul BYRD, it offers a universal three-button remote and microphone. They also had an active noise canceling Blue BYRD ANC on hand as well which is a neckband in-ear option that makes use of Bluetooth.

The pace of innovation can't stand still, and if there's one space that needs cost-cutting and new product injection to increase its install base is the VR ecosystem. HTC took to CES 2019 to reveal their new take on the VR, a semi-portable VR headset that has been designed not only for room-scale VR, but also for home use and, cryptically, on-the-go (holy moly, the headset flips up towards your forehead!).

Apparently, the Cosmos will have the ability to be powered by your smartphone and perhaps other devices - not all that surprising when you think of the RAM and computing power that it holds right in the palm of your hands (I'll say. My smartphone is a much better performer than my work PC...). And HTC says the Cosmos will be their sharpest VR headset ever - which should mean that it should feature higher resolution than the Vive Pro's 2880×1600 (1440×1600 per eye) display. A smartphone would likely only be able to power some sort of augmented reality graphics on that resolution, though - but I might be wrong.

Players expect higher performing hardware to get the most out of their systems -- whether they're competitive eSports players, PC gaming enthusiasts, or those interested in massive multiplayer experiences or looking to play their favorite single-player titles at the highest settings. Based on feedback from the gaming community, performance is the number one thing they value most. To fulfill gamers' needs, Lenovo is turning user feedback into product ideas. And to ensure our products continue to meet and exceed users' evolving needs, we continually fine tune and improve our innovations. As a result, the latest Lenovo Legion gaming line-up is more powerful than ever -- with a new range of high-performance PCs and an entire family of re-designed gaming accessories and monitors.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules, NAND Flash products, and mobile accessories today announces the XPG EMIX H20 gaming headset. Featuring virtual 7.1 surround sound, high-fidelity 50 mm drivers, and RGB lighting, the EMIX H20 offers gamers a new level of immersion and awareness for more exciting gaming experiences.

Having situational awareness is key to winning on the battlefield. Without it, your adversaries will gain the upper hand and ambush you when you least expect it. The EMIX H20 helps tip the scales in favor of the user with virtual 7.1 surround sound, which allows them to hear their friends and foes alike, whether in front of or behind them, so they're never caught off guard. Combined with its high-fidelity 50 mm drivers, the EMIX H20 delivers crystal-clear sound quality with a wide range, excellent accuracy, and optimized bass for total aural immersion.

If you've just experienced deja vu, it's because the HyperX Orbit S headset we went hands-on last evening packs Audeze-made planar magnetic drivers, and features head-tracking. Californian audiophile headphones and DAC maker Audeze fancies a bigger slice of the gaming audio pie, and has swan-dived into the competitive market with a feature-packed monstrosity, the Mobius.

The Audeze Mobius is an around-the-ear gaming headset that packs the company's finest 50 mm-class planar-magnetic drivers that have been tuned with a gaming-optimized sound-stage; and incorporates head-tracking positional audio technology, much like the HyperX Cloud Orbit S. On the software side of things, a virtual surround DSP takes in real-time input from the headset on the exact spatial position of your head compared to a static display (much like a VR HMD), and accordingly moves the audio perspective. The software is pretty intuitive and lightweight, and doesn't come with too much DSP bloat. We went ears-on with one of these, and the sound-quality blew our minds first, and the realism the head-tracking feature adds to gameplay took care of the rest. Head-tracking audio headsets could gain popularity among gamers who don't want a display within an inch of their eyes.

Cooler Master, a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative gaming peripherals and computer components, will be showcasing its new line up of wireless peripherals including the MH670 gaming headset, MM831 gaming mouse, SK621 65-key travel size keyboard, SK631 TKL layout keyboard, SK651 full-layout keyboard, and the GS750 headset stand with built in Qi wireless charging. "Showcasing this "Work and Play" line-up at reflects the Cooler Master commitment to bring high-performing products to gamers and creative pros of all levels." says Bryant Nguyen, Peripheral General Manager.

Audio
The MH670 is a wireless, hassle free headset that provides superior comfort through lightweight construction and plush swiveling ear cups. Its 3.5mm connection adapts to an array of devices including PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and most mobile devices. Virtual 7.1 surround sound and 40mm Neodymium drivers work in harmony to provide a full and a balanced sound with excellent noise isolation. Its detachable Omni-directional boom microphone and fold-flat design grants easy portability and usage beyond the gaming environment.

HyperX is bringing in a large selection of gaming peripherals to CES 2019, beginning with its new flagship gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S. This headset implements two killer features - Audeze planar-magnetic drivers; and Waves Nx head-tracking. Audeze is a well-known brand among audiophiles and music composers, and makes audio monitors for studios. HyperX is sourcing 50 mm planar-magnetic drivers from the company that provide an extremely wide frequency-response range, and high SNR. This is probably the first gaming headset to feature audiophile-grade drivers, which are probably re-tuned by HyperX with a gaming-focused soundstage.

The next killer feature, Waves Nx, is a combination of positional audio DSPs, and hardware head-tracking, similar to VR HMDs, which in real-time moves the audio perspective of your game, and emulates a virtual 7.1 setup over the stereo drivers. This would help even if your display is static and your head is turning to track opponents in a competitive online shooter. You get three detachable cables based on cord length, type, and usage scenario. HyperX is developing two variants of this headset. The full-featured one is priced at USD $329, and the one without Waves Nx head-tracking goes for $299.

beyerdynamic, one of the world's leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and conferencing products, announces the TEAM TYGR bundle, pairing the TYGR 300 R gaming headphones with FOX Professional USB Studio Microphone. beyerdynamic will showcase TEAM TYGR during CES 2019 from January 8 - 11, 2019.

beyerdynamic's TYGR 300 R is the ultimate gaming headphone with adjustable yokes and a spring steel headband to adapt to any head size. Designed for gaming applications in quiet environments, the TYGR 300 R features an innovative acoustic fleece with soft ear cushions. The single-sided connection cable is terminated with a 3-pole, gold-plated mini jack plug and a screw-on gold plated adapter.

beyerdynamic, one of the world's leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and conferencing products, announces Soul BYRD, an in-ear headset with an incredible sound spectrum and form-fitting design. beyerdynamic will debut Soul BYRD during CES 2019 in Las Vegas from January 8 - 11, 2019.

beyerdynamic's Soul BYRD is a multi-functional, robust headset with extra flat in-ear design and powerful sound spectrum. The ergonomically shaped housing creates a secure and snug in-ear fit and, combined with the flat shaped housing, the in-ear headset is ideal for relaxing or sleeping without any discomfort. Its closed design prevents music from penetrating to the outside and eliminates ambient noise from the outside. Soul BYRD is manufactured with anodized aluminum faceplates to create an elegant design. The flexible and high-quality cables have a soft surface to prevent them from becoming tangled and limit cable noise to a minimum.

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc. today announced it is the No.1 PC gaming headset brand in retail for two years running in 2017 and 2018. The achievement is based on total retail revenue in the United States according to the NPD Group - Retail Tracking Service. HyperX became the e-tail sales leader when it entered the gaming headset business with HyperX Cloud. Starting in 2017, HyperX exceeded revenue sales of all other headset brands sold through retail outlets. In 2018, HyperX continued to grow market share bolstered by the growth of Fortnite, PUBG, Call of Duty and Battle Royale multiplayer games.

Best known for its gaming headsets, HyperX provides a variety of PC, console, and wireless headsets including the Cloud II, Cloud Alpha, Cloud Flight and Cloud Revolver. The recently launched Bluetooth-enabled Cloud MIX gaming headset allows gamers to unplug from their gaming device and take their wireless headset anywhere for on-the-go listening. The Cloud MIX design is subtle, street-ready and popular with people who want to use one headset for both gaming and listening to music.

LucidSound, the fastest growing gaming headset brand, announced today the start of a pre-order campaign for the LS41 Wireless Surround Headset, the company's next-generation flagship model delivering advanced surround-sound and premium build quality.

Wireless when used with PlayStation4 and Xbox One, and compatible with mobile devices via the 3.5mm wired connection, the highly-anticipated LS41 is expected to start shipping in January 2019 and is available for pre-order at Amazon and other leading retailers starting today.

After forming a partnership back in May of this year, HTC and McLaren are now seeing their cooperation pay off with the launch of a Limited-Edition HTC VIVE Pro headset ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that takes place this weekend. The overall goal for this launch is to give fans a "unique experience that can't be had watching on television" according to Alvin Wang Graylin, HTC's China president. The racing simulation released with the headset is rFactor 2 Mclaren Edition, which is based on rFactor 2 and was produced by Studio 397. This particular version allows users to race classic cars from the British team's history. As expected it sports a full day-night cycle along with dynamically varying weather, which pairs well with the "real-road" technology that changes grip characteristics as more cars drive on the track. The most prominent new feature to be added with this release is the inclusion of mixed class road racing. The game is available now but requires a Viveport subscription.

After the success of the original Renga released in 2016, ROCCAT refreshes the stereo headset and brings it back to the market as the ROCCAT Renga Boost. Offering studio grade high quality sound, the Renga Boost will charm gamers with its discreet all-black look, its amazing acoustic performance and its superior lightweight comfort. Designed for gamers in search of a premium audio experience, the Renga Boost's 50mm neodymium drivers provide crisp trebles and deep, powerful bass. The optimal alignment of the drivers ensures an immersive and dynamic experience as well as a perfect fit to the ears.

For long-lasting gaming sessions, the Renga Boost offers superior comfort. With earcup ventilation, an ergonomic snug-fit headband and plush ear cushions it ensures a remarkable level of comfort. At only 210g it is 30% lighter than competing headsets, yet using a solid structural housing designed for hardcore use.

In June 2016 Valve announced 'Destinations', a Steam workshop not easy to find anymore, that allowed the end user to enter real and fictitious scenarios through the magic of virtual reality. The idea was intriguing, but the media was not completely sold and judged Valve's proposal as both "the best and the worst of VR". From all this, however, came a singular discovery: those who reverse-engineered its code discovered in it the HLVR acronym, which initiated a wide debate about the potential appearance of a Half Life VR (HLVR) version specifically developed for VR headsets.

Lending further credence to this hypothesis was Gabe Newell's announcement in February 2017 that Valve was preparing three big titles for virtual reality- two of them based on Source 2, and one of them based on Unity. More such signs appeared in the summer of 2018, and everything was pointing towards this project being indeed real, that it would likely be based on Source 2, and that it would offer a full-fledged blockbuster title that this generation of VR has been desperately seeking. We now have more data courtesy a "leaked email" to Reddit user 2flock that suggests Valve's work is apparently going beyond just VR game development, as images of a prototype device seen below confirm that Valve is also working on its own VR head-mounted display (HMD), one whose development would also be more advanced than initially suspected.

LucidSound , the fastest growing gaming headset brand, announced today the shipping of the LS31 Wireless Gaming Headset. Announced at E3 2018 and compatible with PlayStation4, Xbox One and PC, the new LS31 serves as a follow-up to the LS30 headset, LucidSound's top selling headset.

Re-built, re-engineered and re-imagined for an ever-evolving gaming marketplace, the new LS31 delivers uncompressed wireless audio, and features a host of upgrades designed to keep the LS31 ahead of the competition.

Creative Technology Ltd announced today the release of the Sound BlasterX H6 gaming headset, which elevates both gaming and audio experiences to the next level.

Featuring an all-new design, the Sound BlasterX H6 packs massive performance with a plethora of enhanced features - including pro-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers, breathable memory foam fabric mesh pads, detachable noise-reducing ClearComms microphone technology and RGB lighting.