Oculus TV arrives, letting you watch a big screen TV without taking up any space
If you’re the proud new owner of an Oculus Go and want to see everything you can do with it, you’ve now got another thing you can use it for with the arrival of Oculus TV, which will let you watch Netflix, Hulu, MLB Live games and a whole lot more on a virtual big screen TV.
Valve VR knuckle controllers can squish, track fingers, navigate with thumbstick
Valve has released a new demo called Moondust to show off the capabilities of its knuckle VR controllers and give developers a chance to play around with its new capabilities. They can squish, track fingers, and allow navigation via a thumbstick input, all while sporting better ergonomics and battery life.
Don’t expect to ever see virtual reality on the Xbox One
Xbox One fans may have been hoping to play virtual reality games on the console in the future, but Microsoft currently has no plans to bring any sort of VR or AR technology to its console. The PlayStation 4's PSVR remains the only virtual reality device compatible with home consoles this generation.
Limited-time offer: Score the HP Windows Mixed Reality headset bundle for $199
The HP Windows Mixed Reality headset turns your PC desktop into a set of interactive holograms and does double duty as a full-featured VR device. For a limited time, the new HP Windows Mixed reality headset bundle is just $199.
Stand up or sit down? Many don’t take advantage of VR’s room-scale experience
Oculus' VP of Content Jason Rubin claims that a "significant percentage" of Oculus Rift headset owners would rather sit down to enjoy virtual reality rather than take advantage of room-scale motion detection. He made this revelation to Insomniac founder and CEO Ted Price at E3 2018 last week.
HoloLens 2 could pack a Qualcomm chip for ‘extended reality’
The next version of Microsoft's HoloLens headset for augmented reality will supposedly feature Qualcomm's new Snapdragon XR1 processor. The rumor arrives by way of an anonymous source who claims the second-generation headset packing the XR1 chip will make an appearance in January 2019.
VR experience re-creates the Anne Frank House as it looked during WWII
The Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam is launching a VR tour of the Anne Frank House, where the famous diarist and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II. The launch of the virtual reality tour was timed to coincide with what would have been Anne’s 89th birthday.
A.I.-powered 3D 360 Detu Max camera reads like a list of photo buzzwords
3D, 360, AI, HDR, RAW -- the Detu Max appears to cram quite a few features inside an eight-lens 360 camera. The pro-focused camera uses artificial intelligence to allow for object tracking and high-resolution stitches. The Detu Max is funding on Kickstarter, and reached the campaign goal in ten minutes.
Surface Pro 6 is reportedly coming next year and HoloLens 2 later this year
Microsoft's hardware plans for the coming year, and a bit beyond, have reportedly leaked according to a report from Thurott and ZDNet. So what could we see announced this year? Some exciting hardware releases like the HoloLens 2, and maybe a cheaper Surface Pro.
This algorithm turns World Cup games into 3D augmented reality
Researchers from the University of Washington created a way to get you closer to your favorite sports action: An algorithm which can turn 2D live-action televised soccer into a 3D augmented reality re-creation. Here's how it works, and how they've demonstrated it so far.
Explore our planet through an immersive AR experience with the Earth app
Learn more about the planet we live on with AstroReality's Earth -- a physical 3D globe combined with an AR/A.I. application featuring technology that allows you to explore our past, present, and future on Earth. With the globe in your hands you can speak to Gaea -- an immersive smart-voice technology.
Can this explosion-proof AR headset change how industries do business?
Augmented reality may not be quite ready for mainstream use just yet, but that doesn't mean it's not being used for important things altogether. RealWear has launched an intrinsically-safe AR headset for industrial use, which could benefit service workers.
Clever new method solves VR’s ‘infinite walking’ problem by tricking your brain
By exploiting an involuntary eye movement that humans use to orient themselves in physical space, VR researchers from Stony Brook University, Nvidia and Adobe have found a way to make infinite walking possible in virtual reality. It sounds impossible, but here's how it works.
Apple is most definitely working on augmented reality glasses
Apple is hiring an engineer to design user interfaces for AR experiences, suggesting that the iPhone-maker is continuing its work on the development of mixed reality glasses. This person will help "define and deliver the foundation for the next paradigm of user interfaces and entirely new interaction models," Apple said.
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon chip will take VR, AR to the next level
Qualcomm introduced the world's first platform dedicated to extended reality (XR) with the launch of its Snapdragon XR1 chip and headset design. XR is an umbrella term used to group virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Vuzix, Pico, Meta, and HTC's Vive are already signed on.
With software ‘magic,’ Insta360 will soon allow 8K playback on smartphones
Sure, 360 cameras can shoot in 8K resolution, but many devices can't handle that large file size. But by re-prioritizing, Insta360's upcoming software allows for 8K playback while only down-sampling the angle you're not looking at. The news comes with a new remote and Premiere Pro plug-in.
Hololens can be used to navigate the blind through buildings faster
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology developed an application for Microsoft's Hololens that can steer visually-impaired individuals through an unfamiliar, complex, multi-story building. This "non-invasive" method relies on augmented reality and 3D sound to navigate wearers.
Qualcomm expected to reveal Snapdragon chip dedicated to VR, AR next month
Qualcomm is expected to reveal a Snapdragon XR1 all-in-one chip next week during the Augmented World Expo in Santa Clara. It will be optimized for "extended reality" (XR) experiences, which is an umbrella term covering augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality applications.
Microsoft patent could make playing ‘NBA 2K18’ in VR feel more realistic
Microsoft filed for an AR accessory patent, and it's a drag! But that's a good thing for VR experiences. Dubbed the side clutch, the accessory mimics resistive forces through its haptic feedback motors to make interacting inside virtual worlds feel more realistic. It's just the law of physics at work.
A 4V camera for shooting holograph-like content is coming from RED, Lucid
A camera capable of shooting 4V content for the RED Hydrogen One's holographic-like display will launch shortly after the smartphone. RED and Lucid are working to develop a prosumer camera capable of shooting 4V and 3D, expected out before the end of the year. The 8K camera will also stitch in real time.
Oculus Go review
Standalone and mobile virtual reality is aimed at bringing VR to the masses – but so far companies have largely failed to really make a splash in consumer consciousness. Can the new Oculus Go change that? Find out in our Oculus Go review.
Leaked docs show Google may be cooking up a stand-alone AR headset
Leaked documents claim that Google is currently working on a stand-alone headset design for augmented reality. It will be based on one of two Qualcomm processors designed for Internet of Things devices. It may also be tied to a similar device reportedly in the works at AR headset provider Meta.
First preproduction units of the Pimax ‘8K’ VR headset to ship to testers in May
The Pimax team updated its Kickstarter post, reporting that preproduction models of its 8K VR headset will ship this month to 10 participants in the closed beta. If approved, the upcoming headset will go into production and begin shipping to Kickstarter backers in June along with the 5K model.
Gamers aren’t convinced by Windows Mixed Reality headsets
Steam gamers aren't convinced that Windows Mixed Reality headsets are a viable alternative to the more established Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets. After months on sale, just 5 percent of all VR users are wearing WMR hardware, and those numbers have been falling over the past few months.
Google’s ARCore 1.2 brings social AR experiences to your phone
Google has launched an update to ARCore that should help make augmented reality on Android a little more social. On top of that, Google also announced "Vertical Plane Detection," which will help AR apps detect real-world objects like walls, which in turn will allow users to place objects in the real world.
Like the internet? Google wants to attach it to your face
Google announced the new WebXR APIs to help developers create augmented and virtual reality experiences for the browser. The move will create a more immersive web experience, allowing VR and AR content to be viewed on mobile VR headsets, desktop VR devices, and on the mobile web through Magic Window.
Samsung’s wireless mixed reality headset could launch this year
Get ready to cut the cord to your mixed reality glasses! Samsung is reportedly working with Microsoft to launch a wireless mixed reality headset. The device will support both augmented and virtual reality technology, and it could launch this fall at the IFA show, ahead of Apple's rumored 2020 debut.
Facebook confirms it’s making a big move with many of its executives
Facebook's leadership structure looks a bit different now -- but even users that don't care about the who's who of Facebook could see the effects as the company creates teams for privacy tools and blockchain technology. The change creates three divisions for Facebook, each with a number of different teams.
These four virtual reality experiences will make you feel real emotions
At this year's Tribeca Film Festival, four exceptional virtual reality experiences felt real enough to inspire actual emotions in real life. Join us as we take a closer look at 1,000 Cut Journey, Vestige, Hero, and The Day The World Changed.
Here’s everything we saw at the action-packed Google I/O 2018 keynote
Google I/O 2018 is finally here, and boy are there some great announcements to go over. From improvements to Android, to updates to Google Assistant, to a revamped Google News, to improvements to Google Maps, here's everything we saw at the Google I/O 2018 keynote.
7 ways we’ll interact with computers in the future
The means by which we interact with computers are changing. So put down your mouse and keyboard, because here are seven of the ways we’ll interact with machines in the decades to come. From voice control to brain interfaces, get ready to meet the future of computer interfaces.
Lenovo Mirage Camera hands-on review
Lenovo has launched its first camera, and it has two lenses to take 180-degree wide-angle pictures, ideal for viewing with its new virtual reality headset.
Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream review
Mobile virtual reality has a lot of problems. You need to use your phone, which can overheat and eat up your battery life. Standalone VR is the future, and the latest entry is Lenovo and Google’s wireless Mirage Solo with Daydream. It offers six degrees of freedom.
Funding Nemo: Kickstarter underwater drone streams 4K footage from the deep
Looking for a way to make your summer trips to the beach a bit more memorable? Newly launched on Kickstarter, Nemo is an underwater drone that offers 4K streaming from up to 100 meters beneath the waves. From VR to high-res stills snaps, here's why this one sounds great.
Facebook wants to make your virtual self appear as real as possible in VR
Photorealistic avatars would make your virtual self appear as real as your physical self in virtual reality, and Facebook revealed that has been making progress on the technology to make that happen. This would help to blur the line between the real and virtual worlds as you step into virtual reality.
QooCam twists to swap between 4K 360 and 3D 180 with Lytro-like refocusing
Can't decide between 360 shots or the pricier but more immersive 3D? The Kandao QooCam is a $399 camera that twists to swap between 4K 360 and 3D 180. Using depth mapping, that 180 view can also shoot first and focus later while both modes can capture stabilized video stitched in real time.
Oculus confirms second-screen support is coming to Oculus Go
Oculus VR's John Carmack confirmed that second-screen support is coming to the Oculus Go and that implementing the current demo into the mobile apps for iOS and Android will "take a little while." This will allow owners to "cast" their experiences to an external display seen by friends and family.
Facebook teases new Oculus prototype with mechanical ‘varifocal’ lenses
VR is still maturing, as a platform, and Oculus is fully aware of its inherent issues and limitations. Today, May 2, at Facebook's F8 keynote, Oculus unveiled a new prototype designed to combat some of the persistent visual hurdles that VR continues to struggle with: focus, and field of view.