virtualreality
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Oculus predicts a VR future that includes ultra-thin headsets
Oculus' virtual reality ambitions extend well past standalone headsets. In a talk at Oculus Connect 5, the company's Michael Abrash updated his predictions for the future of VR headset technology. Most notably, he sees an end to the bulky headsets that define the experience today. Pancake lenses (already in use with interchangeable lens cameras) could slim down headsets or lead to ultra-wide fields of view, but the real star may be waveguide displays, where light bounces down extremely thin glass plates. You could see VR headsets that are scarcely thicker than glasses, with images that are as wide as you need. Abrash showed a concept drawing (this isn't a hint at a future product, he stressed) for a headset that would make your Rift or Go look positively ancient, although he wouldn't predict just when you might see such a device.
YouTube VR and casting features are coming to Oculus Go
Your Oculus Go is about to become much more useful for immersive viewing sessions. Oculus has revealed that YouTube VR is coming to its entry-level headset, giving you a chance to watch 800,000 360-degree videos in your own virtual environment. It's not clear when you'll see it, but this is big news if you didn't want to get a Daydream headset just to watch YouTube clips.
Oculus' major Core 2.0 update officially arrives in October
Amid a string of announcements at Oculus Connect 5, including the standalone Oculus Quest headset, Facebook revealed some updates to the Rift Core 2.0 platform, which is moving out of beta and will be available for everyone in early October. If you don't want to wait, you can access it through the Public Test Channel starting Wednesday.
Oculus' most powerful, wireless VR headset ships spring 2019 for $399
Project Santa Cruz has left the pre-production phase. Oculus VR's powerful standalone headset is officially called Oculus Quest and it's due to hit the market in the spring of 2019 for $399 -- let's just call it an even $400. That's the starting price, for a 64GB model. Oculus Quest has a display resolution of 1600x1440 per eye. The new headset will ship with more than 50 titles, plus developers are working to bring notable Rift VR games such as Moss, The Climb and Robo Recall to it as well.
Watch the Oculus Connect 5 keynote at 1PM ET
What's arguably the biggest VR event of the year, Oculus Connect 5, is about to kick off -- and to no one's surprise, Oculus is encouraging you to tune in. It's streaming the OC5 keynote, and you can watch the regular stream live below or on Facebook starting at 1PM Eastern. On top of that, you can watch in VR this year -- if you have an Oculus Go or Gear VR, you can spectate with fellow headset wearers using Oculus Venues.
Alaska Airlines is offering VR movies during certain flights
Some first class Alaska Airlines passengers might find themselves face to face with a virtual reality headset rather than the plane's usual in-flight entertainment system. The airline will pilot SkyLights' Allosky Cinematic VR headset aboard its Seattle-Boston and Boston-San Diego routes. It will give passengers access to immersive 3D and forward-facing 360 degree films, though they can also choose to watch in 2D in case the combination of 3D and plane travel is a bit too much to handle.
Walmart turns to VR and Oculus Go for associates' training
Walmart is harnessing the power of virtual reality to train over a million associates across the country. The big-box retailer will deploy 17,000 Oculus Go headsets to almost all of its 5,000 stores in an effort to provide its employees the caliber of training its managers get at the Walmart Academy facilities. Walmart took VR training for a spin at those facilities using PC-tethered Oculus Rifts, but the standalone Go headsets make it so much easier to expand the program.
Firefox brings the thrills of web browsing to VR
Mozilla's headset-focused web browser is finally ready for your cranium: Firefox Reality is available for HTC Vive, Oculus and Daydream devices through their respective stores. The software is designed from the start for AR and VR hardware, with an interface that revolves around pointer control and voice search. There's a virtual keyboard if you need it, but let's face it -- you'd probably go back to a regular screen if you wanted to type more than once in a blue Moon. And yes, Mozilla knows the flat web isn't so exciting in a headset. The home screen provides fast access to 3D content like Sketchfab models, so you won't be hurting for something to take advantage of AR and VR technology.
'Kingdom Hearts 3' trailer shows off 'Big Hero 6' world
Back in 2015, Square Enix confirmed that Big Hero 6 would be a playable world in Kingdom Hearts 3. Since then, though, we've heard zilch about Hiro, the lovable Baymax and the rest of San Fransokyo's residents. Well, the wait is finally over. During a "Lineup Tour" event ahead of Tokyo Game Show, Sony revealed a new Kingdom Hearts 3 trailer that shows cutscenes and gameplay from the superhero-inspired locale. As expected, Sora, Donald and Goofy team up with Baymax and eventually acquire a transformational Big Hero 6 keyblade called Nano Arms. Combat sequences take place on a bridge, atop a skyscraper, and on the city streets.
Watch Acer's IFA 2018 event in 9 minutes
Acer often has a lot to show at its events, and its IFA 2018 presentation was no exception. The tech giant unveiled a bevy of laptops, including the world's lightest 15-inch laptop and a metal-clad budget Chromebook. However, that was really just the start. It also launched a uniquely detachable mixed reality headset, and even a gaming cockpit that's practically a throne. It's a lot to take in, but don't worry -- we've condensed Acer's announcements into a nine-minute video that covers all the bases.
Acer's new Windows Mixed Reality headset has detachable parts
Acer has launched a new Windows 10 Mixed Reality headset at IFA 2018, and the manufacturer says it has a unique detachable design that's a first in the category. Called the OJO 500, the model features detachable components: To be precise, its lens and head strap are removable for easy cleaning and storage. Acer created it that way for those planning to share a headset with friends and people who run establishments or theme parks that offer VR experiences.
Oculus offers another classroom VR option with new pilot program
Immersive virtual reality experiences can make learning a lot more fun for students and for anyone visiting places like museums. It'll take work to get to a point where they're widely used as a teaching tool, though, and Oculus is taking a leaf out of Google's book and planting the seeds for that future by launching educational pilot programs in Taiwan, Japan and Seattle. The company is working with local organizations, schools and educators to distribute Rift and Go headsets to libraries, museums and schools.
Microsoft reportedly shelved an Xbox VR headset
Back in June, Microsoft's chief marketing officer for gaming, Mike Nichols, told Gameindustry.biz that the company had no plans to create a VR headset for the Xbox console. Now, CNET has learned that there was indeed a VR headset for Xbox under development, but the project has been shelved until better tech is available.
Samsung is offering free Gear VR adapters to Note 9 owners
When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note 9, there was no sign of an accompanying Gear VR headset, but virtual reality fans need not fear. You'll be able to use the last model designed for the Galaxy Note 8 via a free adapter. "The Note9 is compatible with your existing Gear VR, but a new Type-C adapter is required," Samsung states in its troubleshooting guide. "Current owners of the Gear VR with Controller (model SM-R325) can obtain the new adapter at no cost by contacting 1-800-Samsung."
Google's Daydream science labs bring STEM experiments to VR
It's not always easy for STEM students to find enough lab time to get their work done, which is often essential for their degrees. Whether it's down to student demand, school budgets or students living far away from their university's labs, there are a range of obstacles. To that end, Google has teamed up with Labster to open more than 30 virtual reality labs in Daydream to help students get more lab time no matter where they are.
Oculus debuts three VR experiences that tackle timely social issues
Oculus' Creators Lab regularly works with filmmakers under the VR for Good initiative to produce immersive experiences that "showcase the need for social change." Now, it's making three very timely projects available for download from the Oculus Video app, starting with Meeting a Monster, a film that examines the life of former white supremacist Angela King. The piece, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in March, uses audio recordings, re-enactments and present-day footage to examine how she became a violent, swastika-waving Neo-Nazi and how she eventually realized and acknowledged that she was the ultimate monster.
NASA apps take you to space with VR and selfies
NASA's apps tend to be all-business, but it's livening things up this time around -- the administration has released two apps that go beyond dry scientific explanations. The most intriguing is likely Exoplanet Excursions, a VR app for Oculus and HTC Vive headsets. The 3D experience lets you fly through the TRAPPIST-1 system and see artists' renditions of its numerous Earth-sized planets, complete with comparisons to planets around our home star.
Google and IMAX stop work on their movie-grade VR camera
You can forget about seeing that VR camera from Google and IMAX any time soon. Variety has learned that the two companies have halted work on the movie-quality 3D hardware. IMAX would only say that it had "currently paused the development" of the camera while it reviewed its VR theater pilot program (Google declined to comment), but a source claimed that Google had outright cancelled the project in late 2017.
'Transference' demo gives a taste of Elijah Wood's PSVR thriller
The Elijah Wood-backed mind-bender Transference is due to arrive September 18th, but you don't have to wait until then (or spend hard-earned cash) to see if it lives up early buzz. Ubisoft and SpectreVision have released a prequel demo, The Walter Test Case, for both PlayStation VR and regular PS4 users. The title has you living through the 1993 experiment that sets up the main game, making you experience the "digitally recreated" memories of a PTSD patient while tackling puzzles in a mysterious apartment. Suffice it to say this won't be a walk in the park.
Sony's PSVR still going strong as sales hit 3 million
Sony announced that it has sold 3 million PlayStation VR (PSVR) headsets as of the end of July, showing that its popularity has declined little since the fall 2016 launch. At the end of 2017, Sony had sold 2 million units, meaning it has sold another million in just the last eight months. On top of that, it has shipped 21.9 million PSVR games and experiences, an impressive figure considering some negative press around virtual reality of late.