Google makes VR positional-tracking tool 'Seurat' open source on GitHub
Technology companies have been telling us virtual reality will change the world for decades now. While VR has become more popular in recent years, it is still a niche market. Virtual reality will probably become mainstream in the future, but until prices come down even further, it will remain a hobby for enthusiasts.
With that said, Google is still banking on virtual reality, especially with its Daydream initiative. Today, the search giant is making a VR positional-tracking tool called "Seurat" open source. The code is being hosted on GitHub.
Google launches Poly, a 3D object and scene library for AR and VR creators
Google has today unveiled a new library for virtual and augmented reality creators. Poly is home to all manner of 3D objects and scenes that can be dropped into apps and games.
At the moment Google says there are "thousands" of free models available to download, but the company will be hoping for this to expand massively. Poly is integrated with Tilt Brush and Blocks, and has been designed with a range of VR headsets and phone-based AR systems in mind.
Virtual reality could attract new talent to security careers
The cyber security industry continues to face a skills crisis, but a new study from security vendor ProtectWise and analyst ESG suggests that the adoption of new technologies could be instrumental in attracting new talent.
The survey of over 500 16 to 24 year-olds finds that 74 percent say that the use of gaming and VR technology in the fight against cyber crime would increase the likelihood of them pursuing a cyber security career.
Nokia pulls back on VR and axes 310 jobs
Nokia is blaming "the slower-than-expected development of the VR market" for its decision to focus its energies and investment in digital health. The company says it will not be developing any more virtual reality hardware, but will continue to support its OZO VR customers.
The shift in focus will result in the loss of 310 jobs, which Nokia says will be mainly in Finland, the US and the UK. The figure represents around a third of the Nokia Technologies workforce.
New York Comic Con 2017 ditches high-tech in favor of extravagant experiences
Taking a trip to a sparsely populated desert before it becomes inundated with zombies. Being immersed inside the new HBO series Westworld. Doing odd jobs alongside everyone's favorite time-traveling duo of Rick and Morty.
Those were just some of the experiences for which fans at New York Comic Con waited up to several hours in line...last year. And they all required virtually no booth space.
Microsoft announces Samsung HMD Odyssey Windows Mixed Reality headset, acquires AltspaceVR
At a Windows Mixed Reality event in New York City, Microsoft and Samsung joined forces to reveal the latest addition to the range of Windows Mixed Reality headsets. Samsung's offering seems to be rather more impressive than others that have been announced.
The Samsung HMD Odyssey offers a slightly higher resolution and wider field of view than other headsets. It also features integrated headphones and can be adjusted to suit varying eye gaps. Microsoft also announced that it has acquired virtual reality startup AltspaceVR.
Street View comes to Google Earth VR
Virtual reality is hardly new, but the technology is finally getting to a point where it is fairly affordable and easy to use. It still has a long way to go before it can truly be considered mainstream, as for now, it is largely just for enthusiasts and gamers. There will need to be some truly great non-gaming uses to propel VR to the next level.
Google Earth VR is the type of application that could get people excited about virtual reality, and today, it gains an amazing new feature -- Street View. Yes, with the help of either an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, you can experience Street View in a more immersive way.
ASUS details Windows Mixed Reality Headset
Dell revealed more information about its first Windows Mixed Reality headset yesterday, and now it is ASUS' turn to do the same. The company, which is among the first supporters of the platform, chose IFA 2017 to talk about price and expands on the specs that it has.
The Windows Mixed Reality Headset (yes, that's its actual name), which we first read about back in late-May, has a pretty cool design, featuring "hundreds of 3D polygons and a glossy tone-on-tone effect."
Intel announces Xeon W processors for AI and VR applications
Intel has revealed a new series of its Xeon processors aimed at businesses that deal with data-hungry processes such as Artificial Intelligence and and Virtual Reality.
The new Intel Xeon W processors are aimed at mainstream workstation devices, but thanks to their high performance levels, will be able to offer major productivity advantages for businesses using tools such as 3D rendering and modelling.
Dell unveils its first Windows Mixed Reality headset
Windows Mixed Reality headsets are coming, and Dell is among the first of Microsoft's partners to showcase its entry in this market. Called the Visor, it's said to feature the same technology that's found in the software giant's HoloLens, but at a fraction of the cost.
Dell says that the Visor will be available in a few months in the US for $349.99, which is $2650.01 less than what you can expect to pay for the Development Edition of HoloLens today. Let's take a closer look at it.
HTC Vive VR gets a significant price cut
Most consumers are either unfamiliar with VR headsets or not interested in owning one. Part of the problem, at least with devices like HTC Vive VR, is the high price, which is hard to justify when we're talking about a technology in its infancy.
However, as the barrier of entry is lowered, VR headsets will become more appealing to a larger number of consumers. HTC is aware of this, which is why it's given the Vive VR a major price cut.
Oculus plans to go mass market with $200 VR headset: report
The company that singlehandedly revived the virtual reality market from gimmicky nonsense to a paradigm shift in all types of content, is planning to launch a device that could put all the pale imitators into a corner.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the Gear VR and Oculus Rift manufacturer has plans to launch a $200 standalone headset some time in 2018.
No walls here: virtual reality exhibit showcases US-Mexico border
In what can be described as part political statement, part historical documentation, and part 21st century technology, a new exhibit has opened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California, in which visitors can experience a virtual reality experience of what it is like to cross the border from Mexico to the United States.
The exhibit opened earlier this week, and public tickets are already sold out through the scheduled end of the exhibit, September 10.
RED Hydrogen One is a super expensive holographic smartphone
It is tough to get excited about a new smartphone these days, but RED's new Hydrogen One might just pique your interest. What makes it so special? It features a novel display that uses nanotechnology to deliver a holographic experience.
In RED's own words, the Hydrogen One's "retina-riveting display features nanotechnology that seamlessly switches between traditional 2D content, holographic multi-view content, 3D content, and interactive games." That headline feature is so important that RED hasn't actually bothered to say much about what other specs the Hydrogen One has. Oh, and, no glasses are needed.
Newest Motorola Moto Mod is a 360-degree camera
Motorola, which has been aggressively marketing its snap-on phone accessories as its uniquely identifying attribute in the crowded smartphone market, is working on a 360-degree camera that will work with any device that supports other so-called "Moto Mods."
The new accessory was unveiled at a press event in Ghana (because where else?), though it came with scant few other details.
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