Category Archives: Virtual Reality

A video with over 4 million views shows what virtual reality shopping at Walmart would be like. The video is from 2017 and isnt part of Facebook's metaverse."

Facebook changed its companys name to Meta in October and said its focus was to bring the metaverse to life and help people connect, find communities and grow businesses. According to Merriam-Webster, metaverse generally refers to the concept of a highly immersive virtual world where people gather to socialize, play, and work.

On Jan. 3, a video with more than 4 million views went viral on Twitter showing what shopping at Walmart would look like virtually. The tweet said: This is how Walmart envisions shopping in the #metaverse.

THE QUESTION

Is Walmarts shopping virtual reality experience part of Facebooks metaverse?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

No. The video actually debuted in 2017 during a presentation at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.

WHAT WE FOUND

The video is not part of Facebooks metaverse or any metaverse for that matter and is more than four years old. It first debuted in 2017 during an exhibition at South by Southwest (SXSW), which is an Austin, Texas-based festival, where art, music and technology all intersect.

According to a blog post from Mutual Mobile, a company that builds digital products, Walmart approached them to build a fully immersive experience for the 2017 SXSW showcase. A panel on the experience was hosted by Mutual Mobile VR architects, the website says.

Potential shoppers could virtually pick up products, read labels, talk to virtual associates, and fill their shopping carts. But the goal wasnt just to create something interactive. Walmart needed something that showed the potential of VR in retail while putting them ahead of the competition, the post said.

So, we can VERIFY this video of a Walmart virtual reality shopping experience doesnt have anything to do with the hype surrounding Facebooks metaverse.

The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Learn More

Text: 202-410-8808

More here:

No, Walmarts virtual reality shopping experience is not part of Facebooks metaverse - KING5.com

Would you wear a virtual reality headset if they were roughly the size of a pair of glasses?

Panasonic introduced MeganeX, a lightweight, compact VR headset that weighs just over eight ounces, much lighter than traditional headsets currently available.

The headset will run applications from SteamVR, a platform for virtual reality content available on other headsets such as HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.

The MeganeX also boasts a foldable frame with built-in speakers.

CES 2022: These are the products that I'd actually buy

Ready for more TikTok?: TikTok channel comes to TVs at Taco Bell, Burger King, bars and gyms

The design of the headset addresses one of the issues with mainstream adoption of VR: the size of current headsets.

"It is necessary for VR glasses to be lightweight and comfortable to wear as well as deliver life-like images in order to be widely accepted to consumers," said Takuma Iwasa, CEO of Panasonic subsidiary Shiftall, in a statement.

Panasonic did not reveal a release date for the headset, or whether they will operate without being physically connected to a computer.

VR achieved massive buzz in the 2010s with the arrival of the Oculus Rift, but interest has since waned due to high prices and the bulkiness of the hardware. Early VR headset models required users to be tethered to either a PC or video game console.

However, VR is seen as a core component in the shift toward the metaverse, a digital universe hyped by tech companies, which combines elements of VR, augmented reality and social media in a virtual world.

Companies like Facebook parent Meta, Microsoft, Roblox, and Fortnite makers Epic Games all have claimed stakes in the metaverse through various applications or games.

The metaverse is expected to be a hot topic this week at the annual tech trade show CES.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

Continue reading here:

CES 2022: This new virtual reality headset can be worn like a pair of glasses - USA TODAY

A woman plays ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission at a Playstation VR display at the Sony Exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2019 in Las Vegas on January 9, 2019.

David McNew | AFP | Getty Images

Sony has announced new details about its next-generation virtual reality headset and teased what the experience will look like in a demo for an upcoming PlayStation game.

At the CES technology event in Las Vegas, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan confirmed its new hardware will be called PlayStation VR2, replacing its predecessor PS VR. The headset will work with Sony's PlayStation 5 console, which it released in late 2020.

PS VR2 will come with an OLED display supporting 4K resolution, as well as a new controller called PS VR2 Sense, according to a blogpost published by Sony on Tuesday. It will link up to the PS5 via a single cord.

The system will also feature eye-tracking technology and a built-in motor that creates tactile vibrations. Sony says its eye-tracking feature will offer an additional input for game characters, allowing players to "interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways."

While Sony didn't reveal what its new headset will look like, the company gave an early look at the in-game experience, showing off the trailer for a new game called Horizon Call of the Mountain.

The game is set in the same world as Sony's blockbuster action role-playing game franchise Horizon, which sees players fight dinosaur-like machines in a post-apocalyptic world.

The series began with Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, and Sony is set to release a sequel called Horizon Forbidden West next month.

The reveal of Sony's PS VR2 hardware is especially timely as Facebook parent company Meta and others attempt to capitalize on a buzzy new trend in tech the "metaverse." It's a kind of shared virtual experience in which users can work, play and interact with each other. Many iterations of the metaverse incorporate VR technology.

Meta rebranded from Facebook last year in a pivot to the metaverse. Its Oculus Quest 2 VR headset was a popular gift during the holidays, with the main Oculus app topping the rankings on Apple's App Store on Christmas Day.

However, some experts are concerned about how safe the metaverse will be. Most VR systems lack parental controls, and apps like VRChat are rife with abuse.

See more here:

Sony teases new VR headset for its PlayStation 5 console - CNBC

COWS cooped up for the winter are being fitted with virtual reality goggles so they think they are outside in a summer field.

And the bamboozled bovines appear to be happier and producing more milk.

3

3

Snaps of the experiment have been amusing film buffs on social media, where they have been compared to shots from sci-fi classic The Matrix.

The movie shows mankind living in a simulated reality while machines use their bodies as energy sources.

Keanu Reeves stars as Neo given a choice between taking a red pill to reveal the truth, or a blue pill to forget the revelations.

One fan wrote: You take the short grass, the story ends, you wake up in the pasture and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the long grass, you stay in wonderland and I show you how deep the human hole goes. Another added: With the sequels The Mootrix Reuddered and The Mootrix Ruminations.

The headsets were developed with vets and first tested on a farm in Moscow. Cattle breeder Izzet Kocak has now put them on two cows in Aksaray, Turkey and The Sun has herd results have been good.

Their output has gone from 22 litres of 27 litres a day.

Izzet, who previously played his 180 animals classical music, is so pleased he plans to buy ten more headsets.

He said: They are watching a green pasture and it gives them an emotional boost. They are less stressed.

Russias agriculture ministry said the system was developed on the principle that cows perceived shades of red better than shades of blue and green.

It added: During the first test, experts recorded a decrease in anxiety.

3

Excerpt from:

Cows cooped up for winter fitted with virtual reality goggles so they think theyre outside... - The US Sun

4 Top Virtual Reality Stocks To Watch In 2022

The metaverse has been a constant talk among stock market investors lately. And this has brought attention to virtual reality (VR) stocks. Unlike what people think, the idea of virtual reality has been around for decades. But it is only recently that this technology is starting to come to fruition. For now, most of its applications are in the gaming and entertainment industry. Take Metas (NASDAQ: FB) Oculus for example, the company produces VR headsets such as Oculus Quest. By and large, this is a standalone headset that contains integrated mobile computing hardware without the need of a personal computer (PC) to operate. Consumers can then play PC-based VR games by connecting them over USB.

However, many industries such as health care, engineering, and education are exploring the usage of VR to enhance their products and services. A prime example of this would be the Hololens 2 by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). On one hand, health care professionals can connect with remote experts and have 3D consultations at the point of care. On another hand, the education industry can leverage the Hololens 2 to improve learning results and revolutionize the curriculum with hands-on lesson plans in 3D. With all said and done, it appears that the virtual space could play an important role in our future. So, why not check out some of the top VR stocks in the stock market today?

Virtual Reality Stocks To Buy [Or Sell] Today

Qualcomm

Let us start the list with the wireless tech company, Qualcomm. For those unaware, it primarily engages in the development, launch, and expansion of technologies like 5G. In fact, its technologies and products serve industry segments and applications beyond mobile, including automotive, computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual reality as well.

A partnership was announced between Qualcomm and Microsoft during the companys CES 2022 keynote. The collaboration aims to develop a new, customized Snapdragon augmented reality (AR) chip that will power future AR glasses within Microsofts ecosystems. Hence, future devices will work with a Microsoft software product called Mesh. It will allow users to beam a realistic likeness of themselves into the headset of another user so that it feels like the two people are in the same room.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm will provide the software called Snapdragon Spaces that helps perform basic AR functions like mapping out physical spaces. So, digital objects can be overlaid on them and hand-tracking, so that users can manipulate objects with hand gestures. It goes without saying that this is likely a move in the direction of a metaverse future. With that in mind, should QCOM stock be a top pick among the best virtual reality stocks?

Sony

Another company making waves in the VR space right now would be Sony. Traditionally, the company specializes in various electronic equipment, instruments, and devices for various markets. Besides that, it also involves the development, production, and distribution of recorded music and animation titles. SONY stock has been on a steady incline, rising more than 25% over the past six months.

On Tuesday, Sony announced the news on its next-generation VR system for its PS5 consoles. For starters, it is named PlayStation VR2 and its new VR controller, PlayStation VR2 Sense. In detail, the PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, and 3D Audio to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Also, there will be haptic feedback and adaptive triggers from the PS VR2 Sense controllers. Now, this means that players will be able to interact with games in a more visceral way.

Safe to say, the company will bring gaming to a whole new level as it enables a greater sense of presence among players like never before. Many wish for a virtual destination to escape reality and now Sony will be among the front runners to provide such a space. Keeping that in mind, would you consider buying SONY stock now?

Vuzix

Vuzix engages in the designing, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of wearable computing devices and AR wearable display devices. The companys core products are in the form of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) glasses. In addition, Vuzix also provides custom solutions and engineering services to third parties that include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of waveguides.

Yesterday, the company introduced its Vuzix M400-C smart glasses. It is the latest edition of its M-Series smart glasses family. The M400-C uses the same form factor as its flagship M400 smart glasses and comes equipped with an autofocus HD camera. Unlike the M400, this latest edition is not a standalone computing device and is designed to function as a USB-C peripheral. Investors would be glad to know that it has begun shipping limited initial production units to a Windows mobile computer manufacturer.

Furthermore, the company also announced that its Smart Glasses are now in initial deployment in over 40 warehouses to support a Fortune 50 online retailers supply chain operations. Overall, this is an exciting time for the company as its products are being utilized by some of the largest companies in the world. So, would you buy into the future of VUZI stock today?

Unity

Last but not least, Unity Software makes the list. Essentially, the company offers a platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time three-dimensional content. This includes Create Solutions and Operate Solutions that allows customers to create, run, and monetize their content across a range of third-party content distribution platforms. Most importantly, Unity is one of the leading platforms for creating VR experiences.

In fact, many companies are already utilizing Unitys platform to create VR experiences across industries. For instance, Jaguar unveiled its first all-electric performance SUV through an interactive VR experience. So, customers can explore the design and engineering stories of the I-PACE concept through a blend of cinematics and immersive VR experience. Also, Strivr utilized Unitys platform to help provide Walmart (NYSE: WMT) with VR training experiences.

Last month, Unity announced the availability of Meta Audience Network for in-app bidding access in Unity Mediation. Unity Mediation gives developers access to the most comprehensive ad demand, with over sixty ad ecosystem partners. Thus, this integration will allow publishers to get streamlined access to a premium demand source. Therefore, making it quicker and easier to maximize their revenue. All things considered, would U stock be a top VR stock to watch now?

If you enjoyed this article and youre interested in learning how to trade so you can have the best chance to profit consistently then you need to checkout this YouTube channel. CLICK HERE RIGHT NOW!

Link:

Most Active Stocks To Buy Now? 4 Virtual Reality Stocks In Focus - FW Business

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virdio is thrilled to announce the launch of its direct-to-consumer fitness platform in late Q1 2022. Virdio is the first Augmented Reality (AR) platform to allow members to engage in gamified at-home fitness experiences without the use of any special equipment or glasses.

By leveraging proprietary vision technology and AR, Virdio minimizes the costs of building a home gym by providing the members with everything they need for a challenging and fun workout. Members can open their laptops or mobile devices to experience the company's virtual tools featured in hundreds of live and on-demand classes.

Members can attend boxing classes in the comfort of their home utilizing Virdio's AR punching bag, and Virdio's vision technology tracks the motion and progress of movements like squats to track each individual's motion and progress. Virdio provides its members with performance tracking metrics through rep counting, heart rate, and cardio performance. Virtual equipment and tools are consistently added to Virdio's platform to keep workouts fresh and members engaged. Virdio also creates a digital fitness community that breaks through the isolation of exercising at home and keeps its world-class instructors and members connected and contributing.

"We've watched the At-Home fitness evolve over the past few years, but only for those who can afford expensive equipment," noted Virdio's Founder and CEO, Arjun Rishi. "With Virdio, we plan to revolutionize the at-home fitness market by offering premium workouts by world-class instructors that don't require any hardware investment, just a monthly subscription for unlimited live and on-demand workouts."

Virdio AR-Powered Live Streaming gamifies and personalizes fitness classes that can be taken from any room, anywhere. A team of world-class instructors offer live classes using AR equipment like Virdio's AR-Powered Virtual Boxing, Virtual Lateral Cones, and Virtual Squats. In addition to live classes, members also gain access to a library of AR-Powered On-Demand classes utilizing the same virtual equipment and performance tracking offered in Virdio's live classes.

Story continues

"As a master trainer and product developer, I couldn't be more excited about working with Virdio. Virtual training is here to stay, and Virdio has made it possible to virtually bring the tools people need. It's a game-changer that makes a home gym fun and affordable for everyone," shared Kim Lyons, Virdio's Director of Fitness Content, who is also an author, celebrity trainer, and was featured on NBC's 'The Biggest Loser.'

To learn more about Virdio, contact Brent Platt at info@virdio.com, or visit home.virdio.com.

About Virdio

Virdio is the world's first digital fitness platform to use augmented reality (AR) and gamification to enhance your at-home workouts while connecting you to a virtual fitness community no expensive equipment or glasses required. Designed by world-class fitness experts, Virdio workouts include AR-powered virtual equipment that gives instructors and members access to fun and exciting live and on-demand workouts accessible through any laptop or tablet device. Augment your fitness reality at home.virdio.com.

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virdio-brings-augmented-reality-based-live-and-on-demand-workouts-to-the-at-home-fitness-market-301454153.html

SOURCE Virdio

Read the original:

Virdio brings Augmented Reality Based Live and On-Demand workouts to the At-Home Fitness Market - Yahoo Finance

Imagine a person in Canada attending a Harrdy Sandhu concert in India virtually with thousands of fans from across the globe. No, we dont mean being part of an online concert of the like we have all attended in these pandemic times. We are talking of virtual concerts in the Metaverse, which will be much more immersive than listening to a live video.

The platforms already exist, we already have the artistes, we already have the hardware we are just combining all of them and making sure this event is happening, Litesh Gumber, founder of Cryptic Entertainments explains to indianexpress.com how a music concert in the Metaverse combines elements of Virtual reality (VR), NFTs and blockchain-based decentralised worlds. Gumbers company organised Indias first Metaverse concert on Somnium Space VR with Sparsh Dangwal performing a recorded show attended by 25-30 people.

The platform owner/or organisers like Somnium Space VR can imagine how the concert would lookthey will transport you to a beach, the moon, or some fantasy world. All you need to have is a VR headset, and once you are in, you will see a little cartoon(y) avatar of yours there who can talk to other people attending the concert, dance, and enjoy like you would in an in-person concert.

Gumber says the virtual experience mimics how a concert in the physical environment takes place, but this one is more immersive and there are no physical limitations on the number of people attending.

Interestingly, a virtual concept is more viable from a financial perspective as artistes and crew dont need to travel and there is no need to set up costly sets for the same.

In the Metaverse, artistes can perform anywhere in the world as people attend their concerts from the comfort of their homes. While you may be wearing a VR headset and viewing the concert alone, you will still be interacting with others in the concerts shared virtual space or through live chats during the performance.

These metaverse concerts make more sense at a time when smaller artistes and indie musicians are facing the burden of cancellation of shows due to the global pandemic. Even though music streaming platforms like Spotify have rescued the music industry, smaller artists are still finding the going tough. With virtual concerts, these artistes can earn again through ticket sales and NFTs. For the initial period of time, we are not going to charge anything from any artist, he said, adding that since there are fewer middlemen, the artistes benefit directly.

Although it is early to say what the future holds for the Metaverse, Gumber says he and his team at least have the proof of concept through Indias first virtual concert.

In the west, the music industry is already open to the idea of virtual concerts in the Metaverse. Big artists like Marshmello, Travis Scott, and Ariana Grande have all performed in virtual concerts because there is money to be made.

More importantly, the metaverse gives musicians a sense of community ownership, a decentralised approach where there is no particular entity dictating terms. In the context of the music industry, Metaverse is audio/visual art, community-created 3D worlds, the right to own and sell digital items and property (or NFTs), Avatars, digital merch, and fashion. In NFTs, those who were early were the ones who benefited a lot, reminds Gumber, underlining how he expects a similar growth trajectory for first movers here too.

Initially, with the focus on getting users to test the format, Gumber says tickets will be free. You either listen to your favorite artistes free of cost, or have a ticketing system where people buy NFTs as tickets and link their meta mask wallet with the platform, Gumber says. A fully sponsored event is also possible.

The cost of VR headsets now is a hurdle for the concept to take off at the moment along with the persisting issues with internet connectivity in India. We did this whole concert in the metaverse, and it was a difficult task to pull it off, Gumber says about his first gig. Not only is the technology at a nascent stage, but users also need to have a high-performance PC, high-quality VR headset and a stable internet connection, he added.

And both hardware and software need to sync perfectly. Right now, the majority of the development is being done to make sure that the VR experience is similar to the real-life experiencethe more they are able to solve this problem, the higher the chances the communities will come and actually spend a lot of money on these virtual concerts, he explains.

To make the transition easier for artistes, Gumber is setting up a metaverse studio in Mohali, Punjab, complete with a professional setup. Artists need to come to the studio, wear a VR headset, and perform, he says, adding that the setup was a regular studio before.

As of now, the community is small, so whosoever is coming in the metaverse are the ones who are early adopters, tech enthusiasts, or someone from the crypto industry. Still, Gumber plans to hold another experimental concert in the coming days. This time, the concert will be performed live with a six-piece band.

Continued here:

What Indias first Metaverse concert tells us about the future of virtual music events - The Indian Express

Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

More: Daily news, true crime, and more USA TODAY podcasts

Hey there listeners. It's Mike Snider here and welcome back to Talking Tech. Brett Molina is off today, but we're lucky enough to have my colleague and friend, MarcSaltzman, with us today. Marc, thanks for joining us.

Yeah. Hey, thanks Mike. Happy holidays to you.

Same to you. I know you've written about virtual reality in games recently for us on tech.usatoday.com, and I thought it'd be a good time to discuss VR games. I would bet many people were gifted a VR headset this holiday season, or maybe some listeners got gifts of money and wanted to spring for one or a new game for the headset they already have. I know for many years VR gaming didn't always match the expectations. Catch us up on where we are now.

Yeah, that's a great question/point. Yeah, there was so much hype about VR that there wasn't really a killer app or we really didn't feel like the momentum was there, and I think sales reflected that as well that it just didn't really happen.

But then in October 2020 when the Oculus Quest 2 came out from Facebook and it followed by one that had twice the memory. So now you can get 128 gigs for about $300 and 256 for $400, I think that changed the game. And one we've seen over the past 18 months is a lot of great content that is relatively affordable. There's a lot of free stuff too at the Oculus store. And there were some issues, people didn't like having to log in with a Facebook ID and I get that. But the freedom that the Oculus Quest 2 gave you by not having to tether it to a PC or a game console or stick a phone in the front, if you remember, that was a thing with some of them.

And then the developers learned how to iron out things like motion sickness for the most part. My son was just playing Res Evil 4 VR and there was just one point where he had to take it off and go, "Okay, I don't feel so good." It's like on water. You know? But for the most, I think developers have licked that issue.

So yeah, VR is catching up and to your point, if my social media feed is any indication, a lot of people unwrapped an Oculus Quest 2 over the Christmas break. So great. Yeah. There's a lot of good content.

Now, in addition to the Quest, are there other leading headsets that have somewhat of a population or following?

Yeah. So there are more powerful VR headsets, like the full Oculus or the HTC that you would connect to your computer. There's Windows MR. Different headsets there. And to a lesser extent, PSVR is still around even though there isn't a lot of content for the PlayStation product. But I think Oculus Quest 2, despite not having the kind of power and there is a bit of a caveat there, you can connect it to a PC with a cable or airlink. There's different ways to do it where you can play more powerful games, but for the most part, people are willing to trade some of that performance for the freedom of not being tethered to anything. So you can like quite literally bring your VR headset with you to go. Don't be one of those guys at the airport though. Please. That's playing while waiting for their flight or on an airplane.

But yeah, so some games you can be stationary. Others, you draw out where you are, in front of you, your own little area. And then it'll bleed into the real world if you start getting close to a wall or something like that. So there's some really neat things that they've added. And I'm really excited to see what Oculus Quest 3, or whatever it's going to be called. Meta 3, whatever that's going to look like.

But yeah, in the meantime, there's a lot of great games. So yeah, one of my last columns for USA Today in 2021 was a look at some, very subjectively, some of my favorite 2021 launch titles for VR. And most of them are for the Oculus platform, including the Quest 2.

So maybe tell us a couple of your favorites that you would want to make sure people are up on.

Yeah. So I already hinted at Resident Evil 4. If you like horror movies or your fan of the Resident Evil franchise, Res Evil 4 VR came out earlier this year, it's about $39. It's for Oculus Quest, rated M for mature. And it is a third person survival horror game that has you initially navigate around a rural sort of European village, but it really goes wild after that. And it's pretty scary and not just jump scares, but there's a lot of fun in fighting against this never ending hoard basically. And there's different modes that you can unlock as well. But the story campaign's really a lot of fun. So if you've ever played a Resident Evil game, imagine it being virtual reality, where it's tied to your head tracking everywhere you look, you are in the game. So a lot of fun single player, survival horror game. So again, that's called Resident Evil 4 VR. From Capcom, $39.

Another great one, Mike, would be Lone Echo II. So it's a sequel to a four year old game called Lone Echo, which takes place in space. Also $39 for Oculus Rift. And this is a game from a developer called Ready at Dawn Studios. And it is a sci-fi story. It's over 10 hours and you play as an Android who is accompanied by this captain, Liv Rhodes, who resurrects you basically after ... It continues on from the first game where she brings you back to life. You are this Android named Jack and you have to tackle different puzzles and solve this sort of epic story aboard a space station. But this game may not be for everyone because you do experience weightlessness. So there is this zero gravity part of the game that takes a bit of getting used to. You can imagine in virtual reality that can really trick your brain and it may not be the most comfortable. So I said it was playable on Oculus Rift, which is the PC based one. But you can play it on Oculus Quest 2 by connecting it to a computer through the cables that you get with it or it's an accessory, if I remember correctly.

And then one more I'll recommend is called, I Expect You To Die. It's a really funny UK based game. It's kind of like a 1960s James Bond esque first person game that's only $25. It works with Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, PSVR, and different kinds of PC based virtual reality or windows MR headsets from Lenovo and other companies. So you are up against the head of this evil corporation and you've got to solve puzzles and manipulate the environment in different ways. What's fun is if you're a fan of Will Wheaton and his work, his voice is a character named John Juniper in this game. But it's a fun and funny game that's a lot about puzzle solving, using powers like telekinesis. So kind of like Psychonauts 2 in a way, which was another popular game this year, or at least let's say critically acclaimed game. And it's fun, you get to put on different disguises. But it's kind of like James Bond, 1960s, a satire of it, but it is a single player game that's a lot of fun called, I Expect You To Die 2.

So a couple of sequels in this year. And then I won't talk much about it, but another sequel worth considering is called The Climb 2, also for Oculus Quest for $30. And that's from Crytek. Crytek is the company that made all the crisis games a few years ago. So that's a really fun game about climbing up like buildings, other sculptures, mountains and trying to reach the top. Often it's timed and there's a multiplayer sort of leaderboard. It's not synchronous, it's asynchronous leaderboard stuff, but really fun.

So lots of good stuff. Lots of good stuff to play.

Well, it sounds like I need to get in VR gear and check these out, Marc. Thanks for being with us today and catching us up.

Yeah. Pleasure, Mike. Happy and healthy 2022 to you.

Same to you.

Listeners, let's hear from you. You have any comments, questions, or show ideas, you can find me on Twitter @MikeSnider. And please don't forget, subscribe and rate us or leave a review on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, anywhere you get your podcasts. And don't forget if you want tech news delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Talking Tech newsletter. It's out every Thursday. Go to newsletters.usatoday.com. You've been listening to Talking Tech and we'll be back tomorrow with another quick hit from the world of tech.

Read more from the original source:

Virtual reality video games are really something: Talking Tech podcast - USA TODAY

We were giving away the hardware but making money on the data, he said. For every dollar of hardware, we were making three dollars on software and data sales.

This is why companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft and Meta are exploring similar technologies. For some, they might be a way of selling software and services. For others, they might be a way of selling ads, Dr. Bautista said.

But experts say perfecting this technology could take a decade if not more. Some augmented reality glasses are as small and light as ordinary eyewear, but they do not yet offer the computing power needed to generate the convincing but unobtrusive images that everyday use would require.

It sometimes feels like 10 years is code for I have no idea, said Dr. Balram, who is developing augmented reality glasses at a company called EyeWay Vision after leaving Google.

In 2018, Intel shut down the Vaunt project, before selling many of its patents to North, the start-up acquired by Google. Ultimately, Dr. Bautista said, the company felt it was just too difficult to answer the many questions surrounding the technology.

Because of privacy regulations in Europe and other parts of the world, he said, the project could end up harming the bottom line more than it helped. The company estimated that 3 percent of its yearly revenues could be at risk, he said.

Now, many of the worlds most powerful tech companies are facing the same questions.

We can build amazing things, Dr. Bautista said. The hardware is not the hard part. The business models are not the hard part. Finding ways these devices can be used is not the hard part. The hard part is: What happens if the data leaks out?

Brian X. Chen contributed reporting.

Originally posted here:

Big Tech Journeys Into the Virtual Reality Reaches of the Metaverse - The New York Times

Virtual reality (VR) has been the subject of discussions since the golden age of science fiction in the 1950s. Science fiction writers and storytellers had different versions of what a virtual world would look like and how people in it would interact with each other. From Ray Bradburys 1951 story The Veldt to William Gibsons phenomenal Neuromancer, writers have created diverse and exciting virtual worlds.

With rapid technological developments in the 21st century, these virtual worlds no longer seem far out of our reach. The rise of VR headsets like Oculus, HTC Vive, and PSVR (PlayStation VR) have, in fact, led to virtual reality devices becoming mainstream just like smartphones, televisions, and personal computers.

With companies like Meta and Microsoft announcing plans to invest in metaverses or 3-D virtual environments, virtual reality will play an even more significant role in the near future.

How can you start off in the virtual world?

A virtual reality or VR headset can help you take the first step in the virtual world. A VR headset is a peripheral device that you wear like glasses on your head to experience a 180 degree or 360-degree field of view in a virtual world. The virtual world can be a movie, simulation of an experience or a video game. It is a medium where you can closely inspect the world around you and feel like you are right there.

For example, there are VR videos on YouTube of people going on rollercoasters. When you wear a VR headset, you feel like you are on the rollercoaster yourself, experiencing exactly the same thrills that you would have while physically enjoying a rollercoaster ride.

There are multiple VR devices in the market you can buy. The more expensive they are, the better quality and pixel count you get. But there are also affordable headsets that you can attach to your smartphones.

Are there other VR accessories that are necessary?

While you are all set to enjoy VR just with a simple headset, you can also enhance your experiences in the simulated world by adding a few accessories like hand controllers and treadmills.

Hand controllers allow you to interact with the virtual world using your hand. You can pick up objects or press buttons in virtual worlds using the hand controllers. Hand controllers are an optional buy for a customer as they are not necessary to experience VR, but they are essential if you plan on playing VR video games.

Treadmills are a bit of a luxury buy as they are literally giant treadmills you walk on. The treadmill allows a VR user to walk in the virtual world without actually moving in the real physical world, which could be harmful.

So, if you only want to experience the virtual world without making a hefty investment, simple VR headsets should be good enough.

Are there any specific types of VR headsets?

The headsets available in the market can be broadly divided into three categories.

Computer-powered headsets are the most powerful and will give you the most immersive experience with the highest pixel count. They are also the most expensive headsets in the market. You have to connect these headsets to a powerful PC that can handle the power required to run the headset. Usually, you need a beefy rig even to use VR headsets. Some examples are Oculus and HTC Vive. Their price ranges from $300-800, depending on the model.

Mobile-powered VR headsets are the cheaper alternative. They are affordable headsets that you can attach to your phones and then strap to your face. They are not as powerful or immersive as computer-powered headsets, but they can be a good starting point. Some examples are Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR. Their price ranges from $15 to $100, depending on the model.

Console-powered VR headsets are an emerging VR market as the only VR headset that exists is Sonys PlayStation VR (PSVR). The headset is attached to a PlayStation 4 and can be played using the PlayStation controller. Sony plans to release a VR headset for their latest console, PS5, in 2022. You can buy a PSVR for $400.

Read the original:

How to get started with virtual reality - CNBCTV18