An all-digital PS6 doesn't seem possible, according to ex-PlayStation boss Shawn Layden: 'I think it would be hard for them to go fully disc-less' - Related to go, them, ps6, new, past

An all-digital PS6 doesn't seem possible, according to ex-PlayStation boss Shawn Layden: 'I think it would be hard for them to go fully disc-less'

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden doesn't think Sony "can get away with" a disc-less PS6.

Layden thinks Xbox has had more success following the all-digital strategy.

He explains that making a disc-less console could damage the market that relies on an internet connection.

The PlayStation 6 is likely years away, and , Shawn Layden. Players shouldn't expect a disc-less console.

Speaking to Kiwi Talkz in a recent interview, when asked if Sony could make the next generation PlayStation console all-digital, like the in the recent past released PS5 Pro, Layden stated he doesn't think it could be done due to the many players who would need to rely on an internet connection.

"I don't think Sony can get away with it now," Layden noted. "I think Xbox has had more success in pursuing that strategy, but Xbox is really most successful in their business in a clutch of countries: the US, Canada, UK, Ireland. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Coincidentally enough all English-speaking countries.

"Sony, which is the number one platform in probably 170 countries around the world, has an obligation or a responsibility to say. 'If we go discless, how much of my market is not able to make that jump? Can people in rural Italy get a decent connection to enjoy games?'"

Layden continued, speaking more about how there's a significant market for PlayStation consoles with athletes who like to take their hardware on the go while they travel, as well as in military bases around the world where there isn't an internet connection.

The ex-CEO explained that going digital-only could affect these players and. There is potential damage to the market if this were to happen.

"Which part of your market will be damaged by going to disc-less market?" Layden unveiled. "I'm sure they're doing their research on it. And there will be a tipping point, where there's some percentage where you can say, 'Okay that's fine, we can turn our back on that part of the market.' But Sony's market is globally so huge, I think it would be hard for them to go fully disc-less, even with the next generation."

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Meta sets Oculus Quest headset shelf-life at six years, but there's still hope that the Meta Quest 2 will survive past 2026

Meta has reportedly ended all software updates to the Oculus Quest.

This sets the shelf-life for Quest headsets at just under six years, which points to the Quest 2 would lose all support in 2026.

The Meta Quest 2 might last until 2028 based on Meta's CTO's comments.

Meta looks to have put the final nail in the coffin of the original Oculus Quest VR headset – and it gives us some idea of the life expectancy for the corporation's other current headsets.

Meta discontinued the original Oculus Quest, which was released in 2019, in 2020. Stopped updating it with new functions in February 2023, ended security updates in August 2024, and cut support for new apps on the system in April 2024. Now it’s being reported (via UploadVR) that the system can no longer receive updates for older games from developers either. Effectively meaning the headset has reached the end of its life.

You can continue to use your Quest if you wish – though given the lack of security updates we’d recommend exercising caution if you do. More significantly, this reported development would put the official lifespan of the original Quest at six years, which in turn gives us an idea of how long Meta might continue to support its other Quest headsets for – and it might be bad news for Meta’s most popular VR hardware, the Quest 2.

That’s because if Meta follows a similar policy with the Meta Quest 2 we can expect that headset to receive software updates until mid/late 2026, then the Meta Quest 3 to be supported until 2029. And the Meta Quest 3S until 2030 – though Meta may choose to end support for the Quest 3 later or 3S earlier given that the headsets share the same chipset so it would be odd to end support for one and not the other.

Meta has already taken the first steps towards sunsetting the Quest 2. The headset was officially discontinued in September last year – though it began disappearing from retail in July – and. The first Meta Quest 3 exclusives have already arrived (titles such as Batman: Arkham Shadow) as software developers begin to abandon the Quest 2’s aging hardware. So a 2026 end-of-life date would certainly make sense; however, there’s potentially good news if you're hoping to keep using your Quest 2 for a bit longer.

In a no-longer-available Instagram Story (which was shared to Reddit), Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth noted the Quest 2 would receive support for "three years from the last date of sale.” That would mean it should last until 2027, with its incredible popularity (it has reliably topped Steam VR headset usage charts for years) likely helping to extend its life a little beyond that off its older sibling.

What’s more, if Bosworth is just talking about Horizon OS security updates, and not app updates from developers, then following the timeline Meta took for the original Quest, your Meta Quest 2 could claw its way to eight years of support before it’s stuck in software stasis, which isn't too shabby given the lifespan of other tech like your smartphone.

If the Quest 2 does indeed survive until 2028, by then we’ll hopefully have a Meta Quest 4S for Quest 2 holdouts to sink their teeth into as a new affordable VR headset alternative. But for exact details of Meta's plans for its existing headsets, and future ones, we'll need to wait for some official announcements.

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New EU Chat Control makes scanning encrypted chats optional – but privacy experts are still worried

The – so far unsuccessful – legal journey of the EU child sexual abuse material (CSAM) scanning bill could see developments this week as lawmakers are set to discuss a new proposal on Wednesday, February 5. 2025. The Polish Council Presidency proposed a new version of the bill that seeks to address existing privacy concerns.

Deemed Chat Control by its critics. The bill comes as a way to halt the spread of CSAM content online by scanning all people's communications. Under the new Poland's proposal, however, the scanning would become voluntary instead and classified as "prevention."

Despite looking like a step in the right direction in the battle to safeguard encrypted communications, privacy experts aren't completely sold on this solution. Warning that a few issues remain.

"Major progress but not yet acceptable because of mass surveillance," commented Patrick Breyer from the German Pirate Party. A similar view was also shared by Elina Eickstädt, spokeswoman for the Chaos Computer Club, who pointed out how the new proposal asks more questions than it answers – digital rights group Netzpolitik reported.

Chat control has seen many twists and turns since the European Commission presented the first version of the draft bill in May 2022.

The initial plan required messaging services and email providers to scan all people's messages on the lookout for illegal material – no matter if these were encrypted, like WhatsApp or Signal chats.

A watered-down version would later adjust the target toward shared photos. Videos, and URLs upon consumers' permission. These changes weren't enough, however, to convince the majority of lawmakers, with the latest December vote failing to attract the needed majority yet again.

Poland's proposal, as Breyer from the Pirate Party pointed out. Represents a "major leap forward" to protect Europeans' fundamental right to keep their digital correspondence private.

He expressed: "It would protect secure encryption and thus keep our smartphones safe. However, three fundamental problems remain unsolved."

🇬🇧Half-good new Polish #ChatControl proposal will be discussed on Wednesday: #ChatControl would remain voluntary. would keep #encryption safe. But voluntary #ChatControl would still be general mass surveillance. (1/2)January 31, 2025.

For starters, Breyer explains, that while the likes of Meta, Microsoft. Or Google can decide whether or not to implement CSAM scanning, this could still provoke untargeted mass surveillance. This is why the European Parliament has proposed a different approach, which involves making searches mandatory but limiting them to persons or groups connected to child sexual abuse.

Breyer is also worried about Article 6 of the proposal, which would prevent people under 16 from installing popular applications, including encrypted messaging apps, social media. Video conferencing services, and even online games. While this minimum age would be easy to circumvent, for example by using one of the best VPN services, Breyer believes it would also disempower teens instead of making them stronger.

Last but certainly not least. Poland's proposal didn't change the controversial Article 4 (3), for which customers would be banned from setting up anonymous email or messenger accounts. "This would inhibit for instance sensitive chats related to sexuality, anonymous media communications with findings ( whistleblowers) as well as political activity," warns Breyer.

As mentioned earlier, lawmakers are set to discuss the new Chat Control proposal on Wednesday.

Asked about how likely it is for this version to finally gain the needed number of votes, Breyer told TechRadar to be skeptical about the hardline majority agreeing to pull mandatory chat control.

He mentioned: "The proposal is likely to go too far already for the hardliner majority of EU governments and the EU Commission whose positions are so extreme that they will rather let down victims altogether than accept a proportionate, court-proof. And politically acceptable approach."

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