360 rumors

At E3, they (finally) announced Fallout VR and Doom VR, both due later this year!  Oculus also announced a new bundle that can save you $100. Trailer for Fallout VR: Fallout VR is due for release in October.   It's already available for pre-order at the Steam store .  Not sure what's the point... there's no special discount and it's not like they're going to run out of stock. Trailer for Doom VR: The trailers don't mention anything about the Oculus Rift compatibility, but Oculus Rift can play almost all games on Steam VR, so I am supposing Rift players won't be left out. Meanwhile, there's a bundle for Oculus Rift + Touch that gives you an extra $100 credit for the Oculus Store .

At WWDC 2017, Apple demonstrated augmented reality on the upcoming iOS 11 using existing iOS hardware. UPDATE :  Apple has announced 360 video editing in Final Cut Pro; Apple will support Steam VR and HTC Vive; Apple has announced Metal API for VR. 1. AUGMENTED REALITY At WWDC 2017, Apple announced several things including a new iPad Pro variant.  For readers of this site, the highlight was Apple's demonstration of augmented reality on an iPad and an iPhone on the new iOS 11.  Your iPhone or iPad would be like a 'window' that shows AR objects, similar to how Pokemon Go is played for example, except now your iPad or iPhone will be able to estimate the three dimensional surfaces within its view and place AR objects on it more realistically.  For Pokemon Go for example, Pikachu would not just be floating in space, but would appear to be standing on a sidewalk that you are pointing at.  A missed Pokeball would seem to hit the ground and roll off, following its conto...

Nolo VR (hands-on here) is a peripheral for mobile VR headsets that adds positional tracking.  They just posted a new video showing the system being used to run NVidia Funhouse, a Steam VR game for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift . Here's the video: In contrast to my hands-on experience at CES (where there was a lot of radio interference), the video appears to show only a little lag, if any.  Nolo VR said they used a Samsung S6 and Samsung Gear VR for the demo.

I had the chance to try the Immersive Robotics (IMR) wireless adapter which enables you to use the HTC Vive wirelessly. IMR's Mach 2K system consists of two primary components: a transceiver attached to the PC and a transceiver with external battery pack, attached to the headset. On the headset side, the transceiver is worn on a belt which will also carry an external battery pack.  The headset is connected to the transceiver the same way as it would be connected to the Vive link box, with inputs for HDMI, USB, and power.  It's plug and play and doesn't require installing any drivers.  I asked if it was compatible with the Rift as well and they said they haven't tested it, although they think it would probably be. IMR claims that their system can support 4k per eye and can be used by 16 people in the same space.  The key to IMR's system is compression -- they compress up to 95% of the data.  Besides the key issue of latency, IMR's method raises a question about w...

Pimax 8k is the world's first VR headset with 8k resolution .  I got the chance to try it out at CES 2017. Most of the current desktop and mobile VR headsets have screens with limited resolution.  Their individual pixels and the gaps between them are visible, making it look like there is a screen door over them.  The screendoor effect can be distracting or immersion-breaking for some people. Another limitation of current desktop and mobile VR systems is their field of view.  Current VR headsets' field of view are around 90 to 110 degrees.  In actual use, this means that you see the frame of the headset, so it's like you're looking through a window or porthole.  Seeing the frame around your field of vision constantly reminds you that you're looking through a headset and diminishes immersion. Pimax 8k addresses both of these issues with its "8k" resolution.  Actually, its resolution is 4k per eye (3840 x 2160 per eye), which is 6.4 times higher than the ...

HTC showed several interesting new accessories and peripherals for the HTC Vive. 1. New headstrap with integrated audio. HTC showed a new headstrap that has a ratchet for easier adjustment, similar to the Playstation VR.  In addition, the new headstrap has integrated headphones, like the Oculus Rift.  The headstrap is also made of a sturdier material like that of the Oculus Rift, unlike the current fabric headstrap that stretches over time and becomes frayed.  HTC said the new headstrap would be available sometime in 2017 but did not disclose the price. 2. Vive Trackers Vive Trackers enable game developers to add tracked peripherals for their games.  For example, a tracker could be added to a table tennis racket to enable the racket to be tracked within a game. 3.  Wireless glove controller At least one manufacturer is adding a wireless glove that can track hands as well as fingers with pinpoint accuracy. You can see that it has a Vive Tracker to track its movem...

Today is the last day for the Oculus Store Winter Sale which has huge discounts on many games for Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR and HTC Vive (via Revive).  Here are the ones I've tried. I have several of the games that are in the winter sale.  I've arranged them approximately in the order that I like them (my taste leans toward casual games).  Note: unless otherwise noted , buying the Gear VR version of a game will not give you the Rift version, and vice-versa. OCULUS RIFT / HTC VIVE (before buying, pls. check for Revive compatibility ): Superhot VR : take on an army of agents, as you control time to execute perfect attacks and dodges.  I got the non-VR version of this game by accident on Steam and didn't get a refund in time, so I was pretty annoyed about paying for it "again."  But when it went on sale I did get it, and it is indeed incredibly fun.  If you have a Rift or Vive and you have any interest in action games, it's a must-download. Damaged Core : o...

The Oculus Store has a big discount on two games (both work not only on the Oculus Rift but also on the HTC Vive via Revive). Superhot VR is a motion-controlled VR version of the PC game (but with different level designs). In this game, you are a secret agent on a mission to infiltrate an enemy base.  You are armed with nothing and you face an army of agents.  But time moves only when you move, allowing you to execute perfectly timed attacks and dodges.  It's one of the best VR games I've played. Here is a trailer: Technolust is an interactive story set in a cyberpunk dystopia.  I haven't played it myself, but it looks quite immersive.  Here is a review by Upload VR: Superhot VR is regularly $24.99, and is on sale for $19.99.  Technolust is regularly $19.99 and is on sale for $11.99. Both games will work on both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive (via Revive) but please note that Superhot VR requires motion controllers ( Oculus Rift users need to have an Oculus ...

The state of VR right now is better than what skeptics would like you to believe.  More importantly, things will get even better from here. All the major VR systems have been released: Oculus Rift  (with  Oculus Touch ), HTC Vive , and Playstation VR for the desktop, and Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream for mobile.  Yet VR is still relatively uncommon, there are still no killer apps, and more importantly, it appears that very few companies are making a lot of money from it.  There are some skeptics who are therefore declaring that VR is a bubble that has burst.  Here's why I'm still optimistic about VR. IS VR A BUBBLE? First, let's talk about some of the reasons that have been used to claim that VR is a bubble that has burst. 1.   VR is still uncommon .  Almost everyone has heard of VR, but there are still very few people who actually have a VR headset outside of the early adopter crowd.  Very few people I know have even a Google Cardbo...

​Finch Shift is a new motion controller designed for your smartphone which is designed to enable your VR-ready smartphone to play apps for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift . Finch Shift uses a pair of motion controllers and a pair of arm bands.  Each controller and arm band has modified inertial measurement units.  By combining the data from the arm bands and controllers, the software is able to determine the location of the motion controllers without using external cameras or sensors. ​ Here's a video of the Shift being used: Finch claims the Shift can be used with: - smartphone games adapted for the Finch Shift - games designed for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift - non-VR games where you use the Shift as a joystick. ​ I'm not sure how the Shift can enable smartphones to play HTC Vive or Oculus Rift games because of the processing power required, and because smartphones currently don't have positional tracking.  In any case, Finch Shift will be at CES 2017 and I will vis...

Holo Impact: Prologue There are literally hundreds of VR games available on the Steam store for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.  While many (or even a majority) are not worth playing, there are some excellent games that have escaped the notice of users.  In this series of posts, I'd like to highlight some very good games I've tried that are not very well known (yet). Holo Impact: Prologue (HTC Vive; Oculus Touch).  This is a super awesome shooter (pictured above).  In concept it's somewhat similar to Xortex from the Lab, where you control a space fighter with your motion controller.  But in Holo Impact, you are flying forward.  Yes there are a few games in this genre, but Holo Impact blows them all out of the water.  Besides the spectacular graphics, the gameplay is also fun, and it's a little challenging but not overwhelming (at least in Normal difficulty)! If you like shooters, this is a must-buy for the HTC Vive or Oculus Touch (yes, Holo Impact is ...

Are you considering getting an HTC Vive ?  If so, you're in luck because the HTC Vive team just announced a $100 discount on the Vive, but only for December 26 and 27 in the US (26, 27 and 28 in Europe).   Here is the announcement . I used to have an HTC Vive and was very happy with it.  I still consider it to be the best VR headset in terms of hardware because it has the best tracking and I like its headset display better than that of the Rift.   Here is my review . However, I later decided to sell my Vive and get an Oculus Rift instead because I liked many of the games for the Oculus Rift and Touch, and because the Rift has wider compatibility with Vive games compared to the Vive's limited compatibility with Rift games.  For comparison, here are my reviews of the Oculus Rift and of the Oculus Touch . Nonetheless, the Vive is still an excellent choice for a VR headset, especially for roomscale VR games.  Unlike the Rift: i) it's easier to set up for rooms...

Here are some of the best free games to demo your HTC Vive ! 1.   The Lab .  This game was made to show off what the Vive can do, and I think it's still the best Vive demo to date.  It's a very polished collection of VR experiences and minigames by Valve.  The VR experiences range include exploring scenic real-world locations in VR, repairing a robot, exploring Dota's Secret Shop, and more.  Minigames include an archery-based tower defense game and a space shooter where your controller becomes a spaceship. 2. Cosmic Sugar .  Play with stars in a galactic nebula as they follow your controllers. 3.   Google Earth VR .  Fly anywhere around the world and explore places in VR. 4.   Irrational Exuberance: Prologue .  This is an interactive VR experience that begins in an asteroid in deep space.  This VR experience requires a roomscale VR setup. 5.  NVidia Funhouse .  This is a collection of carnival games intended to test your g...