Sam Machkovech writes via Ars Technica: Our “Facebookening of Oculus” series continues today with the announcement of the Facebook Connect conference as a free, live-streamed event on September 16. You may remember years of “Oculus Connect” conferences, which focused on the company’s efforts in virtual reality and other “mixed reality” mediums. That conference is dead. It’s Facebook Connect now. In a…
Tag: headset
Virtual House Hunting Gets a Pandemic Boost
Padraig Belton from the BBC writes about how house hunters are using virtual-reality headsets to tour homes in the age of coronavirus. From the report: It’s not for everyone as, at the moment, house hunters have to use their own headsets. But Giles Milner, marketing director at estate agent Chestertons, says he will sometimes send buyers headsets for new-build properties, if…
PlayStation 5 Console Revealed
At a live event today, Sony officially unveiled its PlayStation 5 console. Eurogamer reports: The sleek and curved box will come in two flavors — one with a disc drive, and one without. Meet the PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. No pricing or launch date details were announced today. The white-colored console can be orientated horizontally or vertically. Both…
Developer Warns VR Headset Damaged Eyesight
Software developer Danny Bittman tweeted about how he’s convinced that his eyesight was damaged from wearing a VR headset for hours a day. The BBC reports: Danny Bittman, who has worked as a virtual reality developer for four years, suggested it could have affected his eyesight. “Just had my first eye doctor visit in three years. Now I’m very worried about…
Apple’s Rumored Over-Ear Headphones Feature Head and Neck Detection, Custom Equalizer Settings
9to5Mac has learned more exclusive details about Apple’s upcoming over-ear headphones, dubbed the “AirPods Studio,” including specifications and settings. From the report: One of the key features of regular AirPods is ear detection, which automatically pauses the song when you take the earphones off. We’ve learned that AirPods Studio will have a similar feature, but it will work in a different…
Facebook’s Oculus Is Developing a New Quest VR Headset
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Facebook’s Oculus division is building a new version of its Quest standalone virtual reality headset, but the device is facing potential delays due to the impact of Covid-19 on product development and the global supply chain. The social-networking giant is working on multiple potential successors to the Quest. Some models in advanced testing…
HP Teases ‘Next Gen’ VR Headset Made With Microsoft and Valve’s Help
HP is teasing a Reverb G2 VR headset developed in tandem with Microsoft and Valve that should be “more immersive, comfortable and compatible” than previous-generation hardware. Engadget reports: The first Reverb wasn’t a revolution in design, but it did stand out with a sharp 2,160 x 2,160 pixels per eye. It won’t be surprising if HP pursues bragging rights once again,…
The New iPad Pro’s LIDAR Sensor Is An AR Hardware Solution In Search of Software
One of the biggest new additions to Apple’s new iPad Pro is a new “Light Detection and Ranging” (LIDAR) system on the rear camera, which Apple argued was the missing piece for revolutionary augmented reality applications. “It claims that by combining the depth information from the LIDAR scanner with camera data, motion sensors, and computer vision algorithms, the new iPad Pro…
Augmented-Reality Startup Magic Leap Reportedly Considering Selling Itself
An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNET: Magic Leap, a mysterious maker of augmented reality glasses, is reportedly considering strategic options that include selling itself. The startup is working with an advisor to explore options such as forming a partnership or selling a stake in the company ahead of a potential listing, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing unidentified sources. Founded in…
Target Quietly Opens Concept Store For the Future of Gaming
Target quietly soft-launched a new concept store in downtown San Francisco a few days ago: The Game Room lets people try out Magic Leap and Oculus Quest headsets, gaming PCs and mobile gaming rigs. It’s an obvious play to make Target look hip to San Francisco’s tech-savvy clientele, but it’s also indicative of bigger industry changes. From a report: Missing from…