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Welcome to our new 2,000 readers! We’ve been away from writing for the last few weeks, but we are BACK with a big announcement. Future of VR is now becoming Future of Disruptive Tech! After talking to a few of our readers and running a poll, it’s clear to us that a lot of our readers are into all forms of disruptive tech (not just virtual reality).

Going forward, we will still be writing about virtual reality as always. But we will also be writing about AI, Crypto, and other gamechangers in tech. We’re super excited to be making this transition and hope you are too!

Today’s Menu

• Studio behind PSVR 2’s Most Popular Games Shutting Down

• OpenAI Launching ChatGPT Custom GPT Store

• BTC ETF on January 10th?

TODAY IN VIRTUAL REALITY

Studio Behind Top PSVR2 Games Shuts Down

First Contact Entertainment, known for games including Firewall Zero Hour and Firewall Ultra have shut down. After 8 years of specializing in the VR industry, they stated that “lack of support for VR within the industry” eventually led them to face insurmountable financial challenges.

Very unfortunate to see. But also not surprising given the challenges that VR has faced over these last few years.

Microsoft Pulls the Plug on Windows VR Headsets

Microsoft initially jumped into the Windows VR world back in 2017 to build the first available PC VR headset. They also created the Windows Mixed Reality platform.

After 6 years they have decided to pull the plug.

Despite the fact that giants like Apple and Meta are doubling down on VR, it seems that Microsoft has decided to shift its focus elsewhere.

Microsoft has been heavily involved in the world of AI (especially over the last year). So it’s definitely possible that they are allocating resources there instead.

TODAY IN AI

ChatGPT Launches Custom GPT Store

OpenAI just announced that it’s opening up its Custom GPT next week! A lot of people are already beginning to make comparisons to the early days of the Apple Store.

Back in November, ChatGPT started allowing users to create their own Custom GPT’s and upload their own knowledge into it. For example - a company could upload their own internal company SOP’s and use it to onboard new employees.

With the launch of the new Custom GPT store, users can now generate revenue by allowing other people to use their Custom GPT’s.

Will this be the key move that skyrockets ChatGPT’s monthly user base to similar levels as Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms? Or will it be a complete flop?

We will see very soon.

TODAY IN CRYPTO

BTC ETF

According to Bloomberg, SEC commissioners are planning to vote on the ETF filing next week. The approval could be here as early as January 10th.

BTC ETF’s basically allow investors to gain exposure to BTC without actually owning BTC and holding it in a Metamask wallet or cold storage.

If you ask us, we personally think that this destroys the purpose of crypto in many ways. The entire point of crypto was to create a decentralized currency. One where only you control your coins (not a bank or another major institution).

Although we would never personally put our own money into a BTC ETF, we’re confident that this approval will continue to drive the price of BTC up. It will also bring more people into the world of crypto.

Specifically institutional investors (who have extremely deep pockets).

The Future of Disruptive Tech

Recently we read an article about how a lot of teenagers and people in their mid-20’s are using the AI platform Character.AI as a therapist.

If you’re not familiar with Character.AI, it basically creates custom chatbots of specific characters. For example - there are chatbots for people like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and tons of other people.

There are also chatbots for specific avatars of people (including therapists). Instead of seeking out a therapist, which would likely require their parents to pay a large bill (it would also require for the teenager to inform their parents about going to therapy in the first place), teens are chatting online with the Character.AI therapist chatbot.

Now…imagine a future where the Character.AI chatbot is done through virtual reality. You strap on your Quest 3, you speak directly with an AI therapist, then ultimately you pay the bill in crypto.

This cuts out the doctor, the insurance company, the parents…and many other pieces of the equation.

We’re not going to comment on whether this is good or bad. But it is an interesting thought…

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Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Damon