Zero Zero Robotics announces a sequel to the 2016 Hover Camera Passport drone-- the Hover 2, a more powerful take on the AI-powered selfie-taking drone, complete with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and an "Optical Radar" feature.

The Hover 2 features a foldable body similar to the first version, if with encasing users can replace with a lighter protector allowing for longer flight time and control range. The Optical Radar feature consists of a swiveling stereo sensor adding 360-degree depth perception and obstacle avoidance, allowing the onboard camera to focus on the subject.

The way to go in virtual reality (VR) is clearly standalone, as Chinese company Shadow Creator is the next company to reveal such a headset with the Shadow VR, a 6DoF headset featuring the HTC Vive Wave platform.

Revealed at the recent HTC Vive event, the Shadow VR is a standalone headset complete with 6DoF controllers self-developed by Shadow Creator. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, and features a 110-degree field of view display with Fresnel Optics. While based on the Vive Pro reference design from HTC, the Shadow VR offers lower display resolution (2560 x 1440, as opposed to the 2880 x 1600 of the Vive Pro). However, it features the same inside-out "world-scale" tracking technology using stereoscopic front cameras.

Facebook plans to stick with virtual reality for the long haul-- according to TechCrunch, the social network is reogranising Oculus to a "functional structure focused around technology areas of expertise."

Such a reshuffle, the report states, allows Oculus to work as a whole on the long term, instead being split into groups working on separate gadgets. Facebook does confirm the "internal changes" to TechCrunch, stating the company's leadership remains as is with CTO John Carmack and co-founder/Head of PC VR Nate Mitchell reporting to Facebook VP of AR/VR Andrew "Boz" Bosworth.

However Oculus did see a recent change in leadership-- co-founder and former CEO Brendan Iribe left the the company earlier last month. Allegedly the reason behind the departure is the cancellation of the "Rift 2," a next-generation "complete redesign" of the original PC-powered headset. According to TechCrunch, Iribe has "fundamentally different views on the future of Oculus" from Facebook, and is not interested in a "race to the bottom" in terms of performance.

Livestreaming is clearly big business-- big enough to attract the attention of Intel, as the company announces a partnership with live streaming software developer Streamlabs in integrated PC platforms optimised for such purposes.

The partnership involves Intel Core-powered mini-PCs shipping with preloaded Stream OBS, a free piece of Streamlabs software providing streamers with tools to engage with fans and improve monetisation. Streamlabs will quality test each device and grant it a Streamlabs badge as proof of certification. The Intel Quick-Sync-Video encoder is optimised with Streamlabs OBS, and automatically imports optimal settings for bit-rate, audio, resolution and FPS.

Woojer looks to enhance the gaming experience with the Ryg-- a haptic feedback vest featuring an integrated 7.1 surround card and 8 haptic feedback zones, as well as support for just about every gaming machine, VR systems and even smartphones.

The idea behind haptic vests is to make players "feel" what is happening on screen, be it the rumble of a vehicle or a punch to the chest. To do so, the Ryg has an "Osci" oscillating frame actuator inside each of the 8 location-specific haptic zones, as powered by the surround card. The vest also promises to be plug-and-play through Bluetooth connectivity, as well as 3.5mm headphone output and stereo wired line-in with microphone.

The Switch might have been a surprise bestseller, but Nintendo is not resting on its laurels-- according to the Wall Street Journal, next year will see the release of an update of the home/portable gaming machine.

The "suppliers and others with direct knowledge of the plan" acting the WSJ's sources have little in terms of details on the update, other than describing it as a means to "maintain sales momentum." As such, one can imagine Nintendo taking the incremental route, perhaps by replacing the display for a more battery-friendly (maybe OLED, if one is feeling optimistic?) option.

The Magic Leap virtual/augmented reality headset is still to see commercial release, yet it is already set to receive accessories via partnership with Sennheiser to help "explore and enhance spatial audio accessory solutions."

"As we enter a new era of spatial computing, and the technology gains traction with leading content creators, we are thrilled to bring our AMBEO spatial audio expertise to help drive forward this emerging field, while working closely with the creative community," Sennheiser says.

Sony follows the retro mini console trend with an own take on the format-- the PlayStation Classic is a miniature version of the classic complete with 2 controllers and 20 "genre-defining" pre-loaded games.

The PlayStation Classic is 45% smaller than the original machine and retains the same stylings, down to the circular power, open and reset buttons. Meanwhile the controllers are replicas of the originals. They connect to the console via cable, allow for local multiplayer gaming and lack analog sticks.