Virtual Reality has been out for a while. I last took a look at the technology in this post from April, 2016. In terms of technology, that might as well have been 100 years ago! It’s time to take another look at the changes and upgrades.
Microsoft and Virtual Reality
Microsoft has jumped in the game with it’s “Mixed Reality” device. No one is sure why they’re calling it “mixed”, when it really is “virtual”, but it’s due to come out later this year in the under $400 range. Tom Warren wrote his review in the Verge earlier this month. He’s not that enamored with it, but does see how it could work in the future:
“It’s a lot more fun than the mundane environment of my Oculus Rift at home, and Microsoft clearly wants this to be your hub for running its universal apps. If this gets good enough one day, I could see it replicating a multi-monitor setup for when you’re mobile. …. Microsoft is clearly aiming to bring virtual — sorry, I mean Mixed Reality — to the masses, and it now needs to convince game developers and all headset makers to support its platform.”
Time’s Lisa Eadicicco also took a look at the Mixed Reality technology. Like Mr. Warren’s review, Ms. Eadicicco also feels that what will make a platform successful or not is dependent on the developers who support it:
“What will truly determine whether these Windows-powered VR headsets are successful is the quality and variety of apps they’re compatible with, of course. Windows Mixed Reality will support apps and experiences from Sony, Jaunt and Hulu in addition to games like Rec Room (a VR social club that supports multiplayer paintball and other sports games) and Dreadhalls (a horror-themed dungeon crawler). Microsoft is also bringing popular games it owns to Windows Mixed Reality, including Halo and Minecraft…”
Facebook & Virtual Reality
Facebook is looking at how its Facebook Live feature can embrace VR. Fast Company’s Daniel Terdiman took a look at the Facebooks new Space platform in this article from July. Mr. Terdiman writes:
“The idea is fairly simple. Spaces allows up to four people–each of whom must have an Oculus Rift VR headset–to hang out together in VR. Together, they can talk, chat, draw, create new objects, watch 360-degree videos, share photos, and much more. And now, they can live-broadcast everything they do in Spaces, much the same way that any Facebook user can produce live video of real life and share it with the world.”
Since Facebook acquired Oculus in 2012, this seems like a logical step.
Dell & Windows
Dean Takahashi of Venture Beat writes about Dell’s new Virtual Reality Visor and controls. He really likes the physical aspects of the new device set to hit the shelves in October:
“The Visor sits comfortably on your head because it has well-designed cushions. It also has a small rubber flap that fits over your nose. That flap keeps the headset from irritating your nose, and it also keeps light from getting in. There is a small opening both at the bottom and the top of the headset that allows air to flow through so that you don’t have sweat or fog building inside. The ventilation is unique compared to other headsets on the market.”
I hope you found this information helpful. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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