virtual reality Archives - Gizmochina

Tencent is Renewing Chinese Opera with AI and VR Technology

Anubhav — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 02:35:11 +0000

Tencent, well known for its video games and social media amongst other things, is now diving into something quite different: giving Chinese opera a modern makeover. They’ve started with the story of Hua Mulan, the legendary heroine who disguised herself as a man to fight in her father’s place. The story is known worldwide, thanks to Disney, and is getting a new audience in China through Tencent’s tech-savvy approach.

The company is even planning to build a digital library

The company took an old 1956 opera performance and made it look new again using artificial intelligence (AI) to clean up the video. This project was a hit, drawing in more than 7 million viewers to its live stream. It’s all part of a bigger plan with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to bring the traditional Chinese opera into the digital age.

Tencent isn’t stopping with just cleaning up old videos. They’re using advanced tech like 6DoF, which is big in virtual reality, to capture the intricate movements of characters from famous operas. This kind of tech makes it possible for people today to see and appreciate the complex beauty of these traditional dances and stories.

The goal is to keep these classic stories alive and share them with a new generation. Tencent is facing challenges, like finding enough old opera data to work with, but they’re finding ways around it. They’re even planning to build a digital library so more people can find and enjoy these restored performances. In China, tech companies are using their resources to celebrate and preserve traditional culture. Through their efforts, they’re making sure that these important pieces of China’s heritage won’t be forgotten, making a public statement how technology can be a bridge between the past and the present.

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A Dungeons and Dragons VR Game is Reportedly Under Development

Anubhav — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 15:03:10 +0000

The iconic universe of Dungeons & Dragons is about to leap from the tabletop to the virtual world. Resolution Games, acclaimed for their digital fantasy tabletop adventure Demeo, is joining forces with Wizards of the Coast to create the first-ever Dungeons & Dragons VR game. This collaboration marks a thrilling new chapter for D&D enthusiasts, promising an immersive experience that transcends traditional gaming boundaries.

Dungeons and Dragons is an iconic fantasy game that many are familiar with

Tommy Palm, the brain behind Resolution Games, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. His words reflect a deep-seated passion for role-playing games and their unique ability to weave communal narratives. This new venture is not just a game; it’s an homage to one of the richest fantasy worlds ever crafted.

Image Credits: S L / Unsplash

What makes Resolution Games the ideal choice for this ambitious project? Their track record with Demeo, a game deeply inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, speaks volumes. They’ve shown they can capture the essence of tabletop gaming and translate it into a digital format that’s both fun and accessible. Their expertise in VR technology is set to elevate the D&D universe to an unprecedented level of immersion.

Eugene Evans from Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro highlights this synergy. He views Resolution Games as the perfect ally to bring the Dungeons & Dragons universe to life in VR. This collaboration is more than just a licensing deal; it’s a shared vision to expand the reach and appeal of one of the world’s most beloved gaming franchises.

While details about the game, including its release date and platform availability, remain under wraps, the anticipation is already mounting. This project arrives amidst a resurgence of interest in Dungeons & Dragons, fueled by recent successes like the movie “Honour Among Thieves” and the game “Baldur’s Gate 3“. It seems the stars have aligned for D&D, as it continues to captivate new audiences while honoring its rich legacy.

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AR/VR headset market witnesses continued decline in Q2 2023, hopes for a rebound in 2024

Soumyakanti — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 10:10:12 +0000

In Q2 2023, the AR/VR headset industry experienced its fourth consecutive quarter of decline, with global shipments dropping by a substantial 44.6% compared to the previous year, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

The Decline in AR/VR Headset Shipments

The report also predicts that total shipments for 2023 will only slightly surpass those of 2017, reaching 8.5 million units, indicating a prolonged period of stagnation in the market. This decline can be attributed primarily to the global economic downturn, which has dampened consumer demand, as well as the increased price of the Meta Quest 2 and a lack of new product launches.

Meta continues to dominate the market with a 50.2% share, followed by Sony and Pico (owned by ByteDance) with 27.1% and 9.6%, respectively, both of which have seen their market share increase since Q2 of the previous year. XReal and DPVR (DaPeng VR) lag behind with marginal market shares just above 2%.

While the industry is currently in a subdued state, the launch of Apple’s Vision Pro AR/VR headset at this year’s Apple WWDC has generated significant excitement and speculation about a potential revival of the Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headset market, although the sector still falls far short of its previous vibrancy.

In my opinion, the majority of AR/VR software is not yet suitable for everyday use by average consumers. But yes, businesses are increasingly realizing the value of AR/VR headsets for various purposes, including training, simulations, remote assistance, and augmented reality-based maintenance. These applications can boost efficiency, cut costs, and improve employee performance.

The introduction of innovative products like the Vision Pro from Apple offers a glimmer of hope for significant market transformation, possibly paving the way for a breakout in the coming year. However, the balance between new product releases and the right pricing will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of the AR/VR headset industry in the coming years.

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China’s AR market surges by 258%, while VR struggles with a 60% decline in Q2 2023

Soumyakanti — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 12:51:19 +0000

China’s VR/AR market has seen dramatic shifts in Q2 2023, as revealed by the latest data from Runto Technology (RUNTO). In this period, the market witnessed sales of 178,000 units, marking a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 51.2%. But this broad figure hides a fascinating story of divergence between the two technologies.

Credit: iStock Photo

AR Devices See a Slight Decrease in Average Pricing

Virtual Reality (VR) online sales endured a significant downfall, with a 60.9% YoY decrease. The factors behind this steep drop remain speculative but could be linked to shifting consumer preferences or technological advancements in other areas.

Contrasting VR’s decline, Augmented Reality (AR) devices have seen a meteoric rise, with a staggering 258% YoY growth in sales. Additionally, AR devices’ market share has increased by 38% within the overall online VR/AR sector. This growth trend is accompanied by a mild reduction in the average price of AR devices, now at 2,828 yuan.

Three brands, namely Raybird Innovation, XREAL, and Rokid, have emerged as the dominant players in China’s AR online market. They hold an extraordinary 90.2% combined market share, as per the CR3 index, for the second quarter. Raybird Innovation leads with a 39.1% share, followed by XREAL at 32.2% and Rokid at 18.9%.

The divide between VR and AR could signify a broader shift in consumer interest and technology development. While VR’s immersive experience might be losing appeal, AR’s ability to blend virtual elements with the real world is gaining traction. This shift might also be influenced by a wider range of applications and the utility that AR offers. Apple’s recently announced AR headset, Vision Pro, has already contributed significantly to boosting the AR industry, despite its unreleased status.

RUNTO’s forecast for the remainder of 2023 seems to underline this trend, projecting robust growth in China’s consumer-grade AR devices market. The expected annual total sales across all channels could range between 200,000 and 250,000 units, translating to an incredible YoY growth of 100% to 150%.

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Toyota’s game-changing concept: Swapping in-car displays with AR glasses

Soumyakanti — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:47:04 +0000

Toyota has recently filed a patent application for a groundbreaking concept: replacing traditional in-car displays with augmented reality (AR) glasses. This development aims to enhance the driving experience and improve safety on the road.

Augmented Reality Takes the Wheel: Toyota’s Visionary Approach to In-Car Technology

The primary motivation behind Toyota’s AR glasses is to address visibility issues encountered with conventional displays. Bright sunlight during the day and blinding high beams at night can hinder the driver’s ability to clearly see the information on the screen. To combat this, Toyota plans to incorporate automatic light adjustment features, including chromaticity adjustments. If successful, this technology could even replace sun visors.

The AR glasses will come equipped with cameras, speakers, headphones, and a microphone to enhance functionality. The built-in cameras will track eye movement and monitor road conditions, working in tandem with GPS modules and sensors. This integration enables the glasses to display essential information, such as road markings, speed limits, and warnings for pedestrians and cyclists. Moreover, even if the driver momentarily looks away, the glasses will continue to provide alerts and prevent potential collisions, ensuring a high level of safety.

Toyota’s vision for AR glasses represents a practical and promising solution to the challenges faced by traditional in-car displays. By utilizing advanced technologies, such as augmented reality and integrated sensors, the glasses offer a more immersive and informative driving experience. While the concept seems promising, the question remains: Would you be willing to embrace this innovative approach and wear these augmented glasses while driving?

The potential for Toyota’s AR glasses extends beyond the automotive industry. Similar technology could be used in other sectors where visibility and safety are crucial. For instance, in the aviation industry, pilots could use AR glasses to enhance their view of the cockpit and receive real-time updates about flight conditions. In the construction industry, workers could use AR glasses to receive safety alerts and view structural information in real-time.

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Microsoft has no Plans to Enter the AR/VR Gaming Space Yet

Anubhav — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 05:03:51 +0000

Microsoft Game Studios, one of the leading players in the gaming industry, has once again made it clear that it has no immediate plans to enter the virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) market. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Booty, the head of Microsoft Game Studios, emphasized that the current state of VR and AR does not align with Microsoft’s criteria for success in the line of gaming, especially in the near future.

Microsoft plans to leverage its existing Intellectual Properties to create new content

Booty explained that for Microsoft games to be considered successful, they need to attract a substantial player base of around 10 million users. Unfortunately, VR and AR technologies have yet to achieve such widespread adoption. While acknowledging the potential of these emerging technologies, Booty stated that Microsoft prefers to focus on leveraging its existing intellectual properties (IPs) to build ongoing franchises and bustling communities.

This strategic stance sets Microsoft apart from competitors like Sony and Meta (formerly known as Facebook). Sony’s recent release of the PlayStation VR2 saw impressive initial sales, with 600,000 units sold within six weeks. Sony’s President, Hiroki Totoki, even expressed optimism that the PS VR2 could surpass the total sales of its predecessor, which had reached 5 million units by the end of 2019. Similarly, Meta revealed earlier this year that its Quest VR headset had already achieved nearly 20 million unit sales.

Microsoft’s position on VR has faced scrutiny in the past. In November 2019, Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft‘s gaming division, sparked controversy with his remarks about VR, which some interpreted as dismissive of the technology. However, Spencer later clarified his comments, expressing appreciation for the game industry’s exploration of different areas while emphasizing that VR was not their immediate focus.

While Microsoft’s current stance may disappoint VR enthusiasts, it highlights the company’s commitment to its existing gaming ecosystem. With a focus on expanding and nurturing their successful IPs, Microsoft aims to create engaging experiences for a broad player base. Nevertheless, as the VR and AR markets continue to evolve, Microsoft should remain open to the possibility of exploring these technologies in the future, because slowly yet steadily, AR and VR will carve a niche in gaming.

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The Company behind Changba Karaoke Launches new VR Camera called “Calf”

Anubhav — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 04:01:50 +0000

Changba Karaoke is a popular mobile karaoke app from China that allows users to sing and record their performances on their smartphones. With a vast library of songs and adjustable features like key and tempo, users can customize their karaoke experience. The app offers real-time audio and video effects, and users can share their recordings with others on the platform, participate in competitions, and follow their favorite singers. Changba Karaoke has become a cultural phenomenon, contributing to the digital growth of karaoke culture. Now, Changba, the company behind this famous Karaoke app, has launched a new VR camera.

VR is a strong market right now, & Changba wants to harness its potential

Changba’s founder, Chen Hua, recently announced the company’s foray into the VR field. Their VR camera, named “Calf,” along with bundled VR software, aims to tap into the immersive experience offered by VR technology. With the rising popularity and investment in VR video, Changba hopes to leverage this market’s potential.

The first VR camera developed by Changba’s team, called “Flying,” took a year and a half to build and supports various functions such as VR180 camera, video, live broadcasting, and 3D flat video. The camera will be crowdfunded in the US market on the 20th of the month. Additionally, Changba’s VR software is already available on the Meta Quest store, the largest overseas VR application store. The Kaifei camera comes with one-click upload and live broadcasting features, allowing users to easily share their VR content on the Kaifei Cloud and Kaifei App or integrate with third-party platforms for distance education, video conferencing, and more.

However, Changba’s transition to VR video poses a lot of challenges. Number one is competition where established manufacturers like Google, Facebook, and Insta360 have their own VR camera products and platforms. Addressing users’ demands for high-quality VR video content and experience is another hurdle, considering Kaifei’s current limited resolution of 1080p, which may not meet the expectations of VR devices with 4K screens. Furthermore, Changba must explore ways to integrate and enhance its original music community resources to promote and enrich VR video content. There are also plans to potentially introduce the Kaifei camera to the Chinese market in the future.

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Apple’s AR/VR Headset will take Virtual Concerts to New Heights

Anubhav — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 02:20:32 +0000

Apple’s highly anticipated AR/VR headset is set to revolutionize the way we experience live events, and according to reports from 9to5Mac, one of its standout features will be virtual concerts. This application has been in the works at Apple for several years, with the goal of providing users with a seamless and immersive audience experience, whether the concert is happening in real-time or pre-recorded.

The same technology could be used for live sporting events as well

To make this ambitious project a reality, Apple acquired NextVR in 2020, a company known for its expertise in creating virtual reality experiences for live events such as sporting spectacles and concerts. Prior to being acquired by Apple, NextVR had already built an extensive content library and had collaborations with popular headsets like Oculus, HTC, and PlayStation.

The acquisition of NextVR has given Apple access to a vast pool of resources, both in terms of capital and networking capabilities. As a result, it is widely speculated by media experts that NextVR has made significant advancements in the creation of concert content. This suggests that Apple’s AR/VR headset, known as Reality Pro, and its operating system, xrOS, will offer users an unparalleled and immersive experience when it comes to attending virtual concerts. The technology isn’t limited to virtual concerts, however. Previous reports also state that Apple is integrating its other services, such as Fitness+ with its mixed reality headset, which will allow users to work out in Virtual Reality. The company might even integrate some sports applications with the VR/AR ecosystem, letting users enjoy the thrill of playing sports from the comfort of their homes.

By leveraging the power of augmented and virtual reality technologies, Apple aims to bridge the gap between physical and digital worlds, allowing users to feel as though they are truly present at a live concert. This innovative approach to entertainment showcases Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and redefining the way we consume media. The headset is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC 2023, which is right around the corner.

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The Future of VR is Here: Meta’s Highly Anticipated Quest 3 VR Headset Has Been Unveiled for $499.99

Oğuz Çakır — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 08:47:37 +0000

The competition is heating up in the virtual reality world. Just days before Apple’s expected reveal of its first mixed reality headset at WWDC 2023, Meta has announced its Quest 3 VR headset. This new headset, which boasts a 40% slimmer profile compared to the Quest 2, is set to launch this fall. A 128 GB version will be available for $499.99 and an unspecified price for the 256GB model. Here are the details…

Meta vs. Apple: The Battle for Mixed Reality Dominance

Meta, has been working on virtual reality for a long time. For instance, the company purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion in March 2014. If we consider that this technology still has some shortcomings today, we could say that nine years is quite old. Since then, the social media giant, which has introduced a few headsets and brought the concept of the Metaverse into our lives, now about to face a very strong competitor.

Apple’s mixed reality headset has long been in the news with ongoing leaks. Although nobody has a clear idea of what it will be like, the consensus is that Apple is expected to succeed in this field. As you know, the tech giant is more interested in being the best at doing something rather than being the first. It seems that this situation may have scared Meta a bit, as they suddenly announced the Quest 3 VR headset in a released video.

Quest 3 Features New Design, Improved Performance, and More for an Immersive VR Experience

At first glance, the Quest 3 doesn’t seem drastically different from its predecessor. However, it actually brings significant innovations in both design and technical terms. According to the company’s claim, the headset is more ergonomic, lighter, and equipped with a more powerful processor and higher resolution. This opens the door for a more comfortable and realistic gaming experience. The Quest 3 is also compatible with Quest 2’s games, allowing users to continue playing their favorite titles on the new headset. Meta also announced a price reduction for the Quest 2 starting from June 4th. The 128 GB model will be available for $299.99 and the 256 GB model will be priced at $349.99.

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Sony PlayStation VR 2 outperforms PC with RTX 3090 in certain VR games

Sean — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:13:03 +0000

The Sony PlayStation VR 2 is apparently the best platform for certain VR applications (Virtual Reality). A company executive has revealed that the system can even outperform high end PCs that feature the powerful Nvidia RTX 3090 GPU.

The PS VR 2 was found outperforming such a capable desktop PC on the tactical military shooter Pavlov, which is considered the VR version of Counter-Strike. Furthermore, this is just one of the more than 30 launch titles that the Japanese tech giant has for the PlayStation VR 2. This VR title in particular was built for the PC VR systems and was first launched on Steam back in 2017. However, the PSVR 2 version of this title will launch on 22nd February 2023 and will even offer cross play support with PC users.

The CEO of the studio behind the game David Villarreal stated that the Sony VR enabled system is the “pinnacle of virtual reality, especially for shooters.” This statement wasn’t just talking about raw performance. The adaptive triggers on the new PlayStation features adaptive triggers as well, which makes each gun trigger feel distinct and have a different recoil and feel of resistance. Villarreal further added that the VR game runs about 10 percent better on the PS5 and PSVR 2 than it does on a top end PC which features an RTX 3090.

Not sure how accurate this is for other developers, but the Pavlov dev mentioned that for their own game, the PSVR2 is 10% faster than even their 3090TI setup.

If true, it's exciting that kinda power could be in the hands of so many people for official flat to VR ports. pic.twitter.com/1uTiKbnzfY
— Flat2VR (@Flat2VR) February 6, 2023

An RTX 3090 alone can cost as much if not more than the console and the VR headset combined. Meaning, this is quite the impressive feat. Apparently, the performance advantage is due to the fact that the system is a console and is capable of more efficient rendering through the foveated rendering. To put things simply, its a simple way of rendering based on the focus of the users eye. In other words, eye tracking technology helps in boosting performance since the system only needs to render the area being focused on in high resolution.

Apple AR/VR Headset Could Be Delayed Due To Software-Related Issues: Ming-Chi Kuo

Jeet — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 04:02:09 +0000

Apple’s Mixed Reality headset, which has been in the news for the past few months as the upcoming AR/VR device from the technology giant, may get delayed due to software-related issues, reports Ming-Chi Kuo.

According to the report, the long-rumored Apple AR/VR headset is having unspecified software-related issues, which could delay the mass shipments of the device to the second half of next year, i.e. 2023.

Apple AR/VR Device Concept Design Render

Kuo says that the mass shipments for the components of the device are likely to start somewhere in the first half of 2023, but the shipment of the fully assembled device may not begin until the second half of the year, resulting in a delayed launch even if Apple announces the device earlier in the year.

Earlier, Kuo had claimed that the AR/VR device or the Mixed Reality headset from Apple could be announced at a January media event, with mass shipments beginning in the second quarter of the year. It is not yet known whether the delay in shipments would result in a pushback for the announcement of the device.

If the device isn’t announced in early 2023, then the WWDC 2023, somewhere around the month of June should be a good opportunity for the Cupertino-based tech giant to unveil the new device and open up its Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers to create AR/VR applications of the device.

Ming-Chi Kuo also expects the upcoming product from Apple to be on the expensive side when it comes to pricing. He forecasts that because of the pricing, the company will ship less than 500,000 units in the year 2023. We’ll have to wait for a few more weeks or months to know the features and pricing of the device.

Apple’s Upcoming AR/VR Headset To Run xrOS Operating System

Jeet — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 06:14:40 +0000

Apple has been working on its AR/VR headset for years now and if the reports are to be believed, then the company is set to launch the device in a couple of months. There have been reports about the device being powered by its own operating system.

Now, as per the latest report, the AR/VR headset from Apple will come powered by xrOS, which is a dedicated operating system for the mixed reality headset from the Cupertino-based tech giant.

Apple AR/VR Headset Concept Design Render

According to the report from Bloomberg, Apple has decided to call the software powering the augmented reality and virtual reality headset xrOS instead of the previously rumored RealityOS or rOS.

This new information about the software comes at a time when the technology giant is expected to be preparing for the launch of the headset sometime in 2023. Along with the headset having its operating system, it will also have a dedicated app store, similar to the Apple TV and Apple Watch.

If the rumors are to be believed, then the device from Apple will be a Mixed Reality device similar to the Microsoft HoloLens, which will support both Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. The XR term stands for Extended Reality, which includes both augmented and virtual reality.

Apple has redesigned some of its applications like Maps and Messenger for a better experience on an AR/VR headset, but the company is also developing a Software Development Kit, allowing third-party developers to create applications for the new platform.

While there’s no solid information about the device getting launched, some reports indicate that the product could get launched in the first half of 2023 and will be available for purchase from the second half of the year. We expect to get more information in the coming months.

Meta/Oculus Quest Pro VR Headset Arriving in early October

Leo Wong De Quan — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 04:26:33 +0000

California-based virtual reality technology giant, Meta recently revealed that its next VR headset will be announced in October, at the company’s annual Meta Connect press event conference.

Source: Meta

The news was revealed by present Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, in a special interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast (via The Verge). Mark states that for the next virtual reality device that is coming out in October, there are a few big features that will be included on the headset.

In the podcast, Mark Zuckerberg did not reveal the name of Meta’s upcoming VR headset, but reports and rumours point to the aforementioned device, being Meta’s currently in development Project Cambria, and that its official release name will be called the Meta Quest Pro (part of the Meta Quest/Oculus Quest series of VR headsets).

Source: Meta

Mark Zuckerberg shares with listeners that Meta’s next device will introduce eye and facial to consumer VR headsets. He shares some examples of what the Meta Quest Pro can enable users to do, like making flexible and direct eye contact in virtual reality in conversations, make avatar facial expressions to emulate your real-life face expressions and the most shocking of them all, Mark explains that if you smile or if you frown or if you pout, or whatever your expression is, the upcoming headset can have that translate in real-time to your avatar.

As for other details regarding the upcoming Meta Quest Pro, we will have to wait until early October for Meta’s official launch announcement.

The Meta Quest Pro is rumoured to launch at a starting price of US$ 799 or higher, making it the most expensive virtual reality headset in Meta’s catalogue.

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Sony confirmed to launch PlayStation VR2 headset early next year

Jeet — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 05:21:39 +0000

Sony has announced that the company will launch its PlayStation VR2 gaming headset early next year. While the launch date has not been confirmed yet, we expect the company to share more details in the coming months.

The company shared the message about the upcoming Sony PlayStation VR2 on its official account on Instagram and Twitter which reads “Coming Early 2023 #PSVR2.”

As the name itself indicates, the upcoming gaming headset will launch as the successor to the existing PlayStation VR which was launched back in 2016. Sony has already revealed several details about the upcoming virtual reality device.

The Sony PlayStation VR2 will come with the same color scheme as the PlayStation 5 console, along with a headband-type visor similar to the first PS VR. It is promised to feature unique vibrating feedback and controllers with advanced haptics.

It also has support for eye-tracking, a 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering technology that focuses only on where the fovea of the eye to maximize resolution and boost graphics with fewer pixels.

The headset has passthrough cameras for showing the real world in the headset. It can also scan walls, floors and obstacles like chairs and desks to get a clear sense of play space and create a boundary for the gameplay. It will also feature a live broadcast mode using the PS5’s TV-mounted camera for recording footage for a single stream.

The PlayStation VR2 will feature displays adding up to 4K resolution and support a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. The company has also revealed that the device can be connected to the console using a single USB-Type C cable.

The company has also already announced that the device will have a lineup of around 20 major games available for the users when PS VR2 officially launches. It will include titles set in the Horizon and Walking Dead universes along with VR versions of No Man’s Sky and Resident Evil Village, among others.

Xiaomi invests in VR based firm founded by known Movie Director Zhang Yimou

Sean — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 14:06:21 +0000

A Xiaomi affiliated company, Hanxing Venture Capital, has just invested in a new firm. The company in question is based around VR (virtual reality) and was co-founded by known movie director Zhang Yimou.

According to a PanDaily report, the VR company, Sky Limit Entertainment had recently added both the Xiaomi backed investment firm and Intel Asia Pacific R&D Company as shareholders. As of right now, the company’s registered capital had increased by a 75.7 million Yuan (roughly 11.8 million US Dollars). For those unaware, Sky Limit Entertainment is a VR based service provider that integrates IP operation, content production, and digital real life entertainment.

This firm was founded back in 2008, with its business scope including organizing cultural and artistic activities, stage lighting and sound design, performance agent, and more. At the moment, the company’s shareholders include Lenovo Capital, Mango Foundation, Weiyue Group, Intel, Zhang Yimou, and others. Notably, the movie director is well known for winning numerous awards and recognitions for his work in films like Hero (2003), Raise the Red Lantern (1991), and The Flowers of War (2011) among a few other.

The latest investment from the Xiaomi backed firm joins its other investments in various fields, like automobiles, autonomous driving technology, AR, VR, semiconductors, and more. A few examples being the investment in NIO’s battery supplier, autonomous driving tech developer Geometric Pal, and many more.

Sony launches Xperia View VR headset: 2K resolution for both eyes when paired with Xperia 1 III

Zohaib Ahmed — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 14:15:13 +0000

Today’s Sony product announcement event saw the launch of the camera-centric Sony Xperia Pro-I smartphone that managed to steal all the hype. What went under the radar though was a new VR headset – the Sony Xperia View.

Sony has had launched stuff like the PlayStation VR in the past but a VR headset from Xperia is a first. It isn’t the standalone kind though and requires an Xperia smartphone to be slipped into it in order to work, hence the Xperia branding.

The headset only supports the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 1 II phones and has been designed to fit them in perfectly. Sony claims that one can view “8K HDR VR video” using it, although it’s likely just a marketing term as both Xperia 1 III and Xperia 1 II max out at 4K resolution with their displays.

The Xperia View VR headset provides 120 degrees of horizontal view and its lens has a hybrid structure with a high focusing efficiency. It also comes with a lens spacing adjustment function that can adjust the lens and image display position according to the distance between the eyes.

The setup process for the headset is rather easy. Simply remove its front cover with the dedicated lever, slide the smartphone in, and shut it back up. And that’s it!

There’s even a dedicated app for the Xperia View. It’s equipped with a launcher function that displays a list of Xperia View compatible apps and other content in VR mode. One can also play media stored on the internal/external storage directly.

The Xperia View VR headset is quite easy to operate thanks to cutouts providing direct access to the dedicated keys on the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 1 II. The need for a separate controller is eliminated because you can move the cursor with the volume keys on the and make selections with the camera key.

The headset is available on the official Japanese Sony e-store and Au Online Shop for 29,700 Yen (~$260). We are yet to come across an indication for a global release.

Leaked Samsung AR Glasses concept videos give us an idea of what to expect

Jed John Ikoba — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:50:59 +0000

Last year, it was revealed that Samsung was granted a patent for its augmented reality (AR) glasses technology. With previous efforts at developing AR and VR (virtual reality) technologies in the past not yielding the desired results, it was expected that the new patent was indicative of tremendous progress made by the company in developing an improved and easier navigation system.

A couple of leaked videos may have further shown that indeed the South Korean tech giant may have perfected the design of its AR glasses, as we now know how they may look and some of their exciting features. From the videos themselves and the reviews from other tipsters, the Samsung Glasses Lite, as the AR glasses are called, are capable of projecting a virtual screen in front of the user’s eyes, making it possible to watch videos or play games while putting on the AR glasses. The incorporation of Samsung’s Dex Mode will also help users to carry out some of these tasks without a monitor or a PC.

https://www.gizmochina.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Samsung-AR-Glasses-Virtual-Screen-Concept-Video.mp4

The company has tinkered with a number of AR and VR patents and products in recent years, like the Gear VR headsets. The AR glasses come at a time when global rival Apple had been rumored with a soon-to-be-released AR headset.

The leaked concept videos also showed that the AR glasses will not be controlled by mid-air gestures but rather the control will come from a Samsung smartwatch. This is similar to the principles underlying Apple’s AR headsets and even a similar device being conceptualized by Facebook.

https://www.gizmochina.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Samsung-AR-Glasses-3D-Simulation-Concept-Video.mp4

The possibilities of deploying the AR glasses for other applications hold a lot of promise. The glasses could be deployed in drones to provide a better view from the drone’s camera. They can also serve as sunglasses with the Sunglasses Mode and a host of augmented reality features for a compelling viewing experience.

RELATED;

(via)

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BOE to reportedly launch MicroOLED display panels later this year

Jeet — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 07:19:28 +0000

China’s one of the leading display makers, BOE, is reportedly planning to commercially launch a MicroOLED display in the second half of this year. This will be used to support Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality viewing.

For those who are unaware, BOE has been developing MicroOLED panels since 2018 through Kunming BOE Display Technology, which is a joint venture with Yunnan province.

MicroOLED attaches OLED panels on a silicon wafer instead of a glass substrate, allowing it to realize super high resolution. While the OLED panel pixel sizes in smartphones and TVs are around 40-300 micrometers, MicroOLED panel pixel size is a tenth of this at around 4-20 micrometers. Also, it is ideal for AR and VR use-case because of its response time.

Sunic Systems, a South Korea-based company has supplied BOE with deposition equipment for the manufacturing of MicroOLED panels, and last year, the company had signed a deal worth $225 million for the same.

Apart from BOE, LG Display is also working on this new type of panels aims at AR/VR devices. Samsung Display, one of the leading in the world, has not yet unveiled any of the MicroOLED products so far.

Recently, a report claimed that Apple is planning on developing ultra-advanced MicroOLED display technology at a secret facility in Taiwan in partnership with TSMC. This will be used in the company’s upcoming AR/VR device, development of which is being headed by former hardware engineering chief Dan Riccio.

Apple’s first-ever AR/VR headset will reportedly adopt a premium pricing, expected in 2022

Jed John Ikoba — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 23:28:00 +0000

A recent Bloomberg report has revealed that US tech giant, Apple could launch a tech-loaded VR-AR headset within a year. The report says that the virtual reality and augmented reality headset may actually be the precursor of more applications using AR glasses.

Apple has been a leader in research and development relating to AR and VR technology for several years, even CEO, Tim Cook had stated that augmented reality was promising.

The headset, which is expected to be quite expensive, could usher in a new way of producing smartphones using augmented reality glasses. 2022 is the expected year of release of the headset by Apple and it will square up against other VR headsets like Facebook’s Oculus and PlayStation VR, from Sony.

The VR-AR headset is a culmination of active research and development in the area by Apple for several years, as the company deployed components of VR and AR devices and software. Last year the LiDAR technology was deployed in the sensor of the iPhone 12 Pro, making the device to be more versatile and in performing augmented reality activities.

The technology used for the VR headset could be scaled up and adjusted so that Apple could indeed come up with thinner and premium looking smart glasses touted to replace the iPhone within the decade.

Editor’s Pick: OPPO Reno 5 Pro 5G Hands-on: Premium in the Right Areas

The new VR-AR headset is primarily a virtual reality gadget, with a remarkable 3D digital environment on display, which enables the user to carry out any task from watching a video to playing his favorite game, as well as a number of other tasks. However, the VR=AR headset may have much limited AR capability, as this is an area of continuing research, as they inch towards firming up the technology for more revolutionary applications.

The headset, like the existing stuff of this nature, will have a battery that powers its operations and does not require a console, unlike Sony’s PlayStation equivalent headset, PSVR. However, it is projected that the price of the VR-AR headset from Apple will be much higher than that of its current competitors.

From the Bloomberg report, there could be single sales of the device daily at its various retail locations, as a strategy to ramp up the cost and demand of the flagship product from Apple. It is also seen in some quarters as a gamble by Apple into the uncharted territory of augmented reality, an area that is still in development. The design of the headset may after all, just be a prototype of a more enduring device or gadget using smart AR glass technology.

The risk of such release of seemingly revolutionary products is the possibility of it turning to a flop. A clear case is the Google glass product, launched in 2013 but collapsed two years later.

UP NEXT: Two OnePlus smartwatches receive BIS certification

(via)

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Samsung and Stanford collaborates to make 10,000PPI OLED display

Jeet — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 04:50:45 +0000

Samsung Electronics and Stanford University have announced that their collaboration has led to the development of an impressive 10,000 pixels per inch (PPI) OLED display. It will be useful for devices that offer close-eye viewing experiences, such as virtual reality.

This new 10,000PPI display is much better than what currently exists for virtual reality headsets. It is a major development given that most VR devices currently have what is called a “screen door” effect where the gap between pixels is visible.

OLED, a short form of the organic light-emitting diode is one of the most advanced technology displays available right now. It is used in several consumer electronic devices, including smartphones, TVs, etc.

To compare the newly developed 10,000PPI OLED display, most smartphones getting launched these days, including the premium ones, offer a pixel density of around 400 to 500 PPIs, which is less than one percent of what Samsung and Stanford have developed.

EDITOR’S PICK: Smartphones, AR/VR Glasses, and Robots will be inevitable in building a 6G network, claims Vivo

As for the technology, this new OLED tech uses films to emit white light between reflecting layers — one silver and another made of reflective metal with nano-sized corrugations. This allows specific colors to resonate through pixels and thus allows for much higher pixel density than RGB OLEDs on phones.

In laboratory tests, the researchers claim to have successfully produced miniature proof-of-concept pixels that offer higher color purity and a twofold increase in luminescence efficiency compared to color-filtered white-OLEDs.

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Huawei VR Glass goes on sale in China today for 2,999 yuan ($428)

Jeet — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 03:46:11 +0000

A couple of months ago, Chinese tech giant Huawei had officially announced its much-awaited VR product in its home market — Huawei VR Glass. Today, the device will go on sale in China, carrying a price tag of 2,999 yuan which is roughly $428.

Coming to the product, as the name itself suggests, it is a virtual reality headset. The Huawei VR Glass has lens barrel thickness of 26.6mm which is almost one-third of that of Oculus Quest and HTC Vivo Pro. It weighs around 166 grams and the temples come with a foldable design and it has a distance adaptation of 55 to 71 mm.

Huawei has said that the glasses can be adjusted in the range of 0-degree to 700-degree myopia, 55mm to 71mm distance adaptive, comes with a breathable sunshade mask and is quite comfortable while wearing, even for a prolonged use.

The company says that the device is ergonomically designed to fit the face. It uses protein leather material which is soft and comfortable, the elastic mask magnetic suction is removable and the myopic groups do not need to wear additional glasses.

As for the specifications, the VR Glass offers screen resolution of 3200 x 1600 pixels with up to 1058PPI pixel desnity, 90-degree field-of-view, 70/90Hz refresh rate. It comes with 3D sound effects and provides IMAX giant screen-like experience.

The mirror leg of Huawei VR Glass comes with dual speakers that offer a wide sound field, built-in dual SmartPA, and supports 3D sound stereo. It can also be connected with Bluetooth headphones.

The company says that it will have access to 30,000 hours of VR video from the content resources, along with three major VR live broadcast platform and more than 100 virtual reality games.

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Huawei VR Glass officially launched in China for 2,999 Yuan ($424)

Jeet — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 08:31:54 +0000

Huawei has now officially launched its much-awaited VR product in its home market — Huawei VR Glass, which as the name itself suggests, is a virtual reality headset. Priced at 2,999 Yuan (~$424), it will be available for purchase in China from December.

The newly launched Huawei VR Glass has lens barrel thickness of 26.6mm which is almost one-third of that of Oculus Quest and HTC Vivo Pro. It weighs around 166 grams and the temples come with a foldable design and it has a distance adaptation of 55 to 71 mm.

The company says that the glasses can be adjusted in the range of 0-degree to 700-degree myopia, 55mm to 71mm distance adaptive, has a breathable sunshade mask and is comfortable while wearing.

As for the specifications, it offers screen resolution of 3200 x 1600 pixels with up to 1058PPI pixel desnity, 90-degree field-of-view, 70/90Hz refresh rate. It comes with 3D sound effects and provides IMAX giant screen-like experience.

The company says that it will have access to 30,000 hours of VR video from the content resources, along with three major VR live broadcast platform and more than 100 virtual reality games.

The mirror leg of Huawei VR Glass comes with dual speakers that offer a wide sound field, built-in dual SmartPA, and supports 3D sound stereo. It can also be connected with Bluetooth headphones.

Huawei says that the device is ergonomically designed to fit the face. It uses protein leather material which is soft and comfortable, the elastic mask magnetic suction is removable and the myopic groups do not need to wear additional glasses.

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HTC Vive Pro Eye takes VR to the next level with Integrated Eye Tracking

Joel Joseph — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 08:18:57 +0000

HTC’s smartphone business might be in a rut but the Taiwanese company is doing one thing right: Virtual Reality. Every year at CES, we get to see some cool stuff from HTC from its Vive headset lineup and this year, things are just as exciting. HTC announced its new HTC Vive Pro Eye VR headset at the event featuring integrated eye tracking. While you could upgrade the old Vive headset with an add-on Eye tracking accessory, native Eye tracking support on the Vive Pro Eye opens up a lot of possibilities.

One of the biggest benefits from integrated eye tracking is higher quality images. This is done with the help of a smart technique called ‘foveated rendering’. The technique prioritizes graphics processing of the content that’s directly in your line of sight while limiting the quality of images in the periphery. Simply put, the native eye-tracking tech in the headset can locate exactly where you are looking in the virtual reality world and prioritize the rendering of the content that’s directly in your line of sight. Since the rendering is prioritized, it reduces the graphics requirement to run apps on the headset.

The improved image quality is not the only benefit from eye tracking on the HTC Vive Pro Eye. The headset allows you to browse and select in-game menus just by tracking your eyes. Further, this opens up accessibility options to users who are unable to use traditional controllers.

RELATED: Xiaomi Launches Mi VR Standalone, Starts At ¥1499 (~$234)

The Vive Pro Eye headset also brings the company’s Viveport Infinity service which offers around 500 VR titles for a monthly fee (not yet disclosed). HTC’s Vive Pro series has always been an expensive lineup and we expect a premium price for the Pro Eye VR headset as well. No word on its pricing yet but the company confirms that it’ll be available for purchase in Q2 2019.

While the Vive Pro Eye is targeted at customers who are ready to shell out some serious money for a virtual reality experience, the company’s new Vive Cosmos is better suited for the mass market. HTC hasn’t revealed a lot of details about this headset. However, we know that it will be powered by a PC/ Laptop and will also work with smartphones. There are built-in motion controllers and future modular customization options are expected for the device. The first set of dev kits are said to be released early 2019.

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Lenovo Announces VR Classroom Kit With Standalone Daydream VR Headset

Jeet — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 04:26:06 +0000

Exploring the potential of virtual reality technology in the field of education, Lenovo has announced its VR Classroom Kit, which will use Lenovo’s Mirage Solo with Daydream — the world’s first standalone daydream VR head-mounted display.

This new VR classroom package from Lenovo is designed to bring virtual reality into the classroom and use it as a tool to enhance students’ learning experiences. Along with the Mirage Solo with Daydream, it also comes with plenty of educational content.

The VR Classroom set is aimed at students aged 13 or above, and the educational content includes over 700 VR field trips from Google Expeditions, along with three exclusive Jane Goodall “Wild Immersion” videos. Further, the Daydream app store has hundreds of apps for teachers to choose from.

The Mirage Solo with Daydream is a completely wireless-free headset and requires no connection to a PC or smartphone. It comes with a wireless Daydream controller for hand motion-based input. The company is also offering a Tab 4 PLUS 10-inch tablet for the teachers, a Ruckus R510 commercial router with high bandwidth for video content, and either a cart or case depending on the size of the bundle ordered.

Educators who are willing to adopt this new technology will receive an 18-month warranty to ensure everything works correctly throughout and all devices are in good working order. Teachers will also get monthly webinars to highlight concerns, share experiences and talk about best practices.

A three-student pack will be available on sale from April in the US and this fall in Canada for a price of $2,899, while the 10-student pack and 24-student pack will also be available but the pricing information is not available.

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Master Lu Releases World’s First Mobile VR Benchmarking Tool

Jed John Ikoba — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:31:35 +0000

Little known Chinese benchmarking platform Master Lu says it has created a benchmarking tool for virtual reality (VR) devices. The Master Lu Mobil VR benchmark version 1.0 is said to be the world’s first benchmark tool for mobile VR and is coming at a time VR gadgets are gaining more popularity. The number of VR headsets in the market continues to rise with the features becoming more sophisticated. A benchmark app that verifies the claims of VR manufacturers is just apt at this moment.

Thr mobile VR benchmark app will test the VR headset in three parts namely; Visual experience, performance support and sensors. The main scene of the new benchmark app is based on Unity 3D engine development which is the same platform used by games developers. Already, the benchmark app has already been tested using a total of 173 model testers, tests and analysis of more than 100,000 data samples in order to determine the credibility of the new benchmark tool. The score will be listed in percentage and the stronger the overall performance, the higher the resolution, the higher the refresh rate and the faster the visual response will be. The performance module’s highest score will be 50%, while visual effect is 20% and the sensor capability will have a maximum of 30% score.

If you are hoping to see the benchmark result of recently launched VR headsets, you may be disappointed as Master Lu has said it won’t be publishing the performance data of the VR they have tested. According to the company, “the user needs real data, rather than laboratory data.” For now, the app only supports Android devices.

(source)

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Samsung’s New Gear VR Headset Has a Vive-like Controller

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 06:32:51 +0000

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab S3 yesterday in Barcelona. Asides that, it also announced the new Gear VR headset which now comes with a controller.

The new Gear VR headset, like the former is made in partnership with Oculus and comes with a controller that makes interacting with games easier and much more fun. For those of you with keen eyes, you will notice the controller looks very much like that of HTC’s Vive.

The controller has a circular touchpad for navigation; a trigger button for grabbing, shooting, and aiming depending on the app; and also has integrated home, volume, and back buttons. Samsung has designed the controller such that it works with one hand.

Since there is a new controller, Samsung and Oculus are working on over 70 new titles that will take advantage of the new hardware. They have also said the controller will work with existing touchpad apps. The controller’s SDK will also be available to developers in a few weeks and you can even submit your request here.

The headset itself doesn’t look much different from the one released last year alongside the Galaxy Note 7. It has a USB Type-C port, an adapter for microUSB, and compatibility with the S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge,and S6 Edge+ and should work with the refurbished Galaxy Note 7 when it launches in June.

Samsung didn’t reveal the price for the new Gear VR headset and controller but mentioned that the controller will also be sold separately for those who already own a Gear VR.

(Source, via)

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Samsung Will Have Four AR and VR Projects on Exhibition at MWC 2017

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:40:35 +0000

While other manufacturers are choosing sides between AR and VR, some are investing in both. An example is Samsung, and according to latest reports, they have four AR and VR projects to show off at MWC.

The projects which were developed in Samsung’s C-Labs department are Relúmĭno, Monitorless, VuildUs, and traVRer. Lets take a look at each one.

Relúmĭno

This is a Gear VR app created to help visually impaired people read books and watch TV with new levels of clarity. What it does is enhancement of visuals and texts. It is stated that it has the “ability to remap blind spots by displacing images and uses an Amsler grid chart to correct distorted images caused by metamorphopsia” (a condition where straight lines appear wavy). Relúmĭno will also allow visually impaired people watch TV without needing expensive visual aids.

VuildUs

VuildUs is a combination of a 360° depth camera and a mobile app. It allows you to have a preview of what a piece of furniture would look like in your home before purchasing it. First, you need the camera to scan your home and build a VR version of it. When that is done, all you need is a VR headset and once you launch the app, you can shop for furniture and see how it fits into your home before purchasing. One advantage of VuildUs is that you don’t need to measure the space in your home before you purchase that sofa or coffee table as it lets you see if it fits in real time.

Monitorless

Monitorless is a pair of glasses that combines VR and AR together. What it actually does is allow you to view content from a computer or smartphone without the need for a display. You can access the contents of your phone by pairing the glasses via WiFi Direct. You can also mirror the content of your computer on your phone which you can then view through the glasses. The use of electro chromic glass even makes it possible to switch between VR and AR. The video should probably explain better.

traVRer

Last but not the least is traVRer. It is a a 360° video platform that you can use to explore popular locations around the world without leaving your house. It is similar to what Google offers with Street View but accompanied with sound and video.

All four projects will be on exhibition at MWC where we should get more details.

(Source, Via)

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpnCOkq-R4I[/embedyt]

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOgs2Dspbm4[/embedyt]

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Hugo Barra joins Facebook as VP of Virtual Reality

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 07:58:50 +0000

We woke on Monday to news of Hugo Barra’s resignation as Xiaomi’s Vice-President of International. Mr. Barra had cited his desire to be closer to home as the reason for leaving and returning to Silicon Valley. When he made the announcement, nobody knew what new project he’d be embarking on or which company he’d be joining. However, a few hours ago he took to his twitter page (@hbarra) to announce that he’d be joining Facebook as the new Vice-President of Virtual Reality.

The announcement was also made on Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg who said Hugo Barra’s position as lead of VR will also cover the Oculus team. There is no mention of when exactly he’ll be resuming the position as he is still in China. But a follow up comment made by Hugo Barra himself says “in a couple of months”.

Mark Zuckerberg has shown great enthusiasm for virtual reality as he believes that is the next big thing. Hugo Barra also seems to share the same enthusiasm. During his tenure at Xiaomi, the company launched two VR glasses: the Xiaomi Mi VR Play which is more like a refined Google Cardboard; and the more sophisticated Mi VR Headset.

Oculus is currently in court after being sued by Zenimax, a parent company for a number of gaming studios. Zenimax is accusing Oculus’ CTO, John Carmack of leaking intellectual property to Oculus while he was at Zenimax.

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ODG R-8 & R-9 Are the First Snapdragon 835-based Mixed AR & VR Glasses

Jed John Ikoba — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 07:19:52 +0000

Although ODG isn’t a new player in the business of Augmented Reality (AR) glasses, the company is still not very familiar to many. The firm whose full name is Osterhout Design Group (ODG) has unvelied two of its latest reality smartglasses at CES 2017 and they are both capable of AR and Vr functionalities at the same time. The smartglasses are named R-8 and R-9 and what’s unique about them is that they are the first wearables powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 835 flagship chip and they are more sophisticated than ODG’s earlier offerings raanging from the R-7, R-6 downwards.

The ODG R-8 and R-9 fuses both Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality features, capable of delivering both AR and VR. The R-9, however, packs a more sophisticated features and consequently has a higher price tag slammed on it.

While the ODG R-9 has a 50-degree field-of-view, the R- has a 40-degree field-of-view (FOV). They also differ in resoluton as the R-9 has a higher FHD (1080 pixels) resolution, while the R-8 has an HD (720 pixels) resolution. The R-9 also functions as a platform that can be sed to develop mobile AR and VR apps, as well as Smartglass apps.

Fusing the latest Snapdragon 835 chip inside the wearable improves the user experience more than ever, as the SD 835 is said to reduce the lag between motion tracking and what you see on screen, lowering the chances of triggering motion sickness. It also improves positional audio for more realistic experiences. These features places the new Smartglasses ahead of their R-7 predecessor.

Despite the much-improved features, the ODG R-8 and R-9 carry a far cheaper price tag that the $2,750 price tag of the R-7. The ODG R-9 is billed to ship in Q2 2017 with a price tag of around $1799. The R-8, on the other hand, will be available sometime in the second half of the year and will cost les than $1,000.

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Vernee Apollo Finally Launching This Month: First MTK VR Flagship

Joel Joseph — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 03:34:58 +0000

We first heard about the Vernee Apollo flagship earlier this year, but news about the phone died down in the past few months. However, Vernee has finally announced that the Vernee Apollo flagship will be unveiled this month and it will go on sale from December.

We already know a lot about the Apollo, but here’s a recap of the specs of the device. The flagship will feature MediaTek’s Helio X25 deca-core chipset clocked at 2.5GHz with Mali-T880 GPU. We are still unsure of the RAM inside, but a 6GB RAM option at launch. There should be 64GB of eMMC storage on board as well.

The Vernee Apollo is being called as the first Mediatek VR flagship, mainly because it will come with a high resolution of 2560x1440px (2K) with 541 ppi pixel density, making it ideal for using in VR headsets. This could also mean that Vernee may release a VR headset of its own soon, but we are not quite sure about it. As for the rear camera, the phone should come with a 20MP Sony IMX230 sensor.

The exact price of the Vernee Apollo is still not known, but the company is known for pricing its devices reasonably, so we can expect the same with its upcoming release. Earlier, it was said that the phone would go on sale for around $399, but we are waiting for official confirmation from the company.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Apollo flagship.

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Xiaomi is Working on a More Sophisticated VR Headset

Habeeb Onawole — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 09:29:00 +0000

Xiaomi’s Vice President, Hugo Barra, in an interview with CNBC, has revealed that the company is working on a more sophisticated headset. The Mi VR Play is Xiaomi’s first VR headset and it improves upon existing entry level VR headsets by offering a more comfortable hardware. A more sophisticated version might be similar to what HTC offers with the Vive, Facebook’s Oculus Rift or Samsung’s Gear VR.

Launched about 2 weeks ago, the headset is similar to Google’s cardboard but uses zippers instead of velcro to hold the phone in place and is covered with lycra to offer more comfort. It has support for phones with screen sizes between 4.7 – 5.7 inches.

When he was asked about the success of VR in terms of projected sales, Mr. Barra said the company recorded 1 million registered buyers for the Mi VR Play in the first 8 hours the site was opened.

Other information disclosed says Xiaomi’s plan is to be an open content platform for VR in China. The company already has a number of startups making videos and games for the VR platform. So even if you are not using Xiaomi’s VR headset, you’ll still have to use their software platform to get content.

The Mi VR headset is still in public beta, so there’s no price yet but last week the company sold the Mi 5 bundled with a Mi VR Play for $272, so if you were able to grab that deal, lucky for you.

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Xiaomi Mi VR Play Hands on Pictures

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 09:34:17 +0000

Xiaomi released their first VR glasses this week, the Xiaomi Mi VR Play. While it is not entirely different in functionality from other VR glasses most especially the Google Cardboard, it has a few design changes that still makes it stand out such as the use of a zipper design instead of velcro to hold the phone in; and a lycra covering for a more comfortable experience.

Internet service portal, Tencent, has hands on pictures of the device which we want to examine.

What’s in The Box?

The VR headset is said to support phones with screen sizes between 4.7” and 5.7”. Xiaomi’s Mi VR Play comes in a black box, which contains the headset itself, some paper work, and the head strap.

Setting Up

Setting up seems to be quite easy. Unzip the front, place your phone on the flap, raise the flap and zip the case. You can adjust the position of your phone using the dual front openings in front which also double as vents. The headset has anti-slip strips that prevents the phone from jumping around and rubber strips that prevent accidental presses of the home button. Do attach the straps in case you are going to be using the headset for a long period.

The headset has a metal button on the top which when pressed causes a high-responsive silicone button to make direct contact with your phone, touching the corresponding field and completing the instructions sent.

One issue with the Mi VR play is the inability to adjust distance between the anti-reflective aspheric lenses to accommodate various eyes. If you however own one of those cheap VR remotes sold online, you can pair that with your phone and use that for controls as well.

Content

While the bunch of VR content available online should work with the headset, Xiaomi is working with a bunch of content providers such as Youku, QIY, Conde nest Traveller and VR Hotcast to create content such as games and videos.

RELATED: Xiaomi Mi VR Play Unveiled

Mi VR Play Availablility and Price

The VR Play is still in a beta-testing stage and will be more available when testing is finished, so if you have been waiting to purchase that denim version or the one with the camouflage design, you’ll have to wait a little longer. There’s no word on price either but while we expect it to be cheap, Xiaomi might sell certain versions like the denim and camo versions (yes, those two again) for a slightly higher price.

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Xiaomi Mi VR Play unveiled: VR Glass, VR App, Zippers, Lycra covered design

Jed John Ikoba — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 05:43:03 +0000

Xiaomi has unveiled its expected Xiaomi Mi VR headset dubbed Mi VR Play, which utilises a cardboard box design with the basic VR principles, and VR glass lenses .

Xiaomi had taken us through a roller-coaster ride for the past few days, first teasing about a possible VR headset launch coming up on August 1. But instead, all we got on that date was a video trailer which again pointed towards an August 4th release date and here we are, with the real deal which is just a Google cardboard look-alike still in beta testing stage.

The Xiaomi Mi VR Play is actually a cardboard box before VR glasses, somewhat similar to Google’s cardboard VR headset but with better design, more durable materials and a more secured phone holder with zippers. Acccording to Xiaomi, the Mi VR Play uses VR glasses with zipper design and is covered with lycra cotton material. Also, the VR headset can be adapted to fit in smartphones with display sizes ranging from 4.7-inches to 5.7-inches. The two-way zipper takes into account the position of the smartphone inside the headset and keeps the phone firmly fixed.

Apart from the VR headset (Toy version), there’s also an accompanying VR app software which provides panoramic video, 3D movies, games and other applications.

If you’re interested in grabbing this Mi VR Play, you may have to wait a little longer as Xiaomi has not indicated when the gadget will hit the market or the price tag it’ll adopt. The Virtual Reality box is still in the beta public testing stage in China and may not go on sale soon.

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Xiaomi Releases First Trailer for VR Headset

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:07:12 +0000

It is no longer news that Xiaomi plans to release a VR headset. Teaser images posted on their Weibo page a few weeks ago was interpreted to mean that the headset will launch on August 1, but surprisingly what was released today is a trailer for the Xiaomi VR headset and not the device itself.

The 51 second long video is of an older man and woman asking questions which are answered by a younger man. While we can’t seem to make out any specific details about the VR headset (let’s hope someone has a better luck at it) we noticed the date at the end of the video; 4th of August, which is Thursday. We believe this is the exact date for the release of the Xiaomi VR Headset.

If you look closely at the screenshot above which was taken from Xiaomi’s Chinese site, you will see that a couple of images with the dates 2nd and 3rd of August are blurred out meaning we’ll be getting more teasers before Thursday’s launch.

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Xiaomi Teases August 1 release date for first VR Headset

Jed John Ikoba — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 05:08:32 +0000

Xiaomi is all set to release its first VR headset not too long after unveiling the Redmi Pro smartphone and Mi Notebook Air laptop. The Chinese innovative start up revealed via a set of image teasers posted on their Weibo account that a VR product will be released on August 1.

Not much is known about the Virtual Reality headset Xiaomi is planning to unveil on August 1, just a couple of days from today, but it is speculated that apart from launching the VR hardware, Xiaomi will also provide lots of video resources which would give users an enjoyable VR experience.

The Xiaomi VR headset had of late been under discussions among fans of the company on Weibo and many are already anticipating for the arrival of this product. Also, from the descriptions on the posters the Mi VR headset promises to be a colorful VR which would give users the best VR experience.

If Xiaomi actually releases its own VR headset on August 1, the company will join the ranks of Samsung, HTC, Sony and online giants Google as well as Facebook, who all have VR headsets under their brand name. August 1 is just three days away, we are looking forward to see what surprise will come our way from Xiaomi on that day.

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Nico360 is a Tiny 360 camera that features live streaming

Jitendra Soni — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:28:23 +0000

Buying a camera is a very trick question these days. We first had decent camera phones, but for action junkies, a smartphone camera wasn’t an ideal solution. This led to the birth and eventual growth of the action camera market. It’s time now, I think to look beyond action camera’s too and grace 360-degree cameras. With Virtual Reality going mainstream, there is a lot of requirement for good 360-degree content and devices.

The trouble with the current generation of 360 cameras has been that either they’ve been not really easy to use or have been very costly. However, Nico360 seems to have an answer to all. It is a tiny 360 camera and also supports live broadcasting.

Nico360 is listed on Indigogo as the world smallest 360 cameras and it does borrow some design inspiration from GoPro cameras. However, unlike the Ricoh Theta S and Samsung 360, it is much smaller and square in shape.

Nico360 is capable of recording 360 degree videos at 2K resolution at 30 FPS. It can record 360-degree videos at a resolution of 25 megapixels.It has two 16 MP spherical cameras mounted on either side of the body and buttons to power on/off the device, click images, switch modes from video to images is located on the left side of the body of the camera.

Nico360 comes with a 32GB on board storage and is capable or live streaming as well, making it a device to watch out for. It is compatible iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices and it comes with a 1400 mAh battery too.

An action camera should not just be compact and durable, it has to be waterproof too. The company claims that Nico360 is not just splash proof but waterproof too. On the pricing front, Nico360 will be available for $199. Early backers of the campaign can get the 360camera for $99 on the crowdfunding site IndieGoGo.

For those looking for a 4K camera, the latest Xiaomi Yi camera that is priced at CNY 1,199 or $185 is a pretty good option.

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OnePlus VR Headset Review – Good but Not Really Comfortable

Linus — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 09:22:04 +0000

OnePlus 3 official release date is approaching and I was one of the lucky ones that managed to get the OnePlus Loop VR headset for free. Well, I just needed to pay the shipping fee of 7 EUR, to be precise. I spent some time with it and here is my full review.

OnePlus VR Headset Review: VIDEO

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8BJY8esTps[/embedyt]

OnePlus VR Headset Review: UNBOXING

Inside in the box you are getting the headset itself, some paperwork, a cleaning cloth and a head strap.

OnePlus VR Headset Review: DESIGN and FEATURES

The very first thing that is going to impress you is the build quality. I’m not sure what will be the retails price of it but I presume it will be around $30.

The headset uses high-quality plastic, rubber, foam and other materials and the device does not look cheap at all.

The one and only thing that you can control is the distance between your eyes. I was disappointed that you cannot control the distance between the phone and your eyes. Also, you have to know that this is a passive headset, meaning that there are no control buttons.

I am not going to talk too much what you can do with any basic VR headset but you can check out the video of the Blitzwolf VR headset review for that.

In order to start using the VR headset, you have to slide your phone in and for this review I used the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. There is some foam and rubber inside the sliding part and it kept my phone secure. Well, this review would have been completely different otherwise.

When it comes to any VR headset, one of the key aspects is comfort. Unfortunately, the OnePlus headset fails in this department.

I may sound a little subjective, or my nose has a weird shape, or my head has a weird shape… I don’t know… but the main issue is that there is no cushion on the nose part and it is really uncomfortable. You can partly solve this issue by sliding the headset up to your forehead but it may slide back.

OnePlus VR Headset Review: CONCLUSIONS

I can’t complain much about the OnePlus VR headset since I got it for free. In fact, I love a great build quality and a choice of materials. However, you cannot adjust the distance between the phone and your eyes.

Also, I didn’t find the headset to be comfortable to wear. I’m not sure for how much OnePlus is going to sell it but I have reviewed some other cheap options that may not have that great build quality of the OnePlus VR headset, but they are more comfortable to wear.

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VR Box Is An Enhanced Google Cardboard Version For $30.99

Joel Joseph — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 04:05:32 +0000

There’s no doubt that VR is the future. We have seen some great headsets from companies like HTC, Oculus and even Sony. But they are quite costly and are easily priced upwards of $400. So, what about those who are looking for a cheap product that can still provide a good VR experience?

For them, you have the Google Cardboard. But the cardboard is pretty basic and its material is not really ideal for long term use. This is where devices like the VR Box comes into the picture. For a few dollars more, you can get an enhanced version of the device. The VR Box is made out of plastic ensuring that it lasts a whole lot longer than the cardboard.

From what I see, there are a lot of benefits of using the VR Box instead of the much simpler Google Cardboard. It’s water proof and wear resistant to some extent. Plus, it’s adjustable as well. You can adjust the lens sideways or even to the front / back. The VR Box can reportedly use smartphones from anywhere between 3.5-inch to 6-inches. Make note that the length and breadth of the smartphone that you wish to use inside the headset should be less than 163mm and 83mm respectively.

It’s pretty easy to insert the smartphone inside the VR Box, as the holder comes out sideways. Plus, you get lots of padding up front, so that it’s comfortable watching something in VR for some time. There’s a section up front, which can be removed if need be, exposing the camera on your smartphone for things like augmented reality. Finally, there are openings on both the sides of the device for your headphones.

The VR Box is actually quite a handy gadget for your first VR experience. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a good VR experience as even devices like these can fulfill your needs.

The Glasses just cost $30.99 and with it you also get a free smart bluetooth wireless mouse. Check out the listing on lightinthebox from the link below.

Buy VR Box Glasses For $30.99 [Free Bluetooth Mouse Included]

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Google Reportedly Working On An Independent VR Headset, More Advanced Than Cardboard

Joel Joseph — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 14:32:55 +0000

Last year was the ‘Year of the Wearables’, and this year the main focus could be Virtual Reality as many manufacturers are said to be working on VR products. We have already seen pretty good VR headsets from companies like Sony and Samsung, but it looks like Google too might be interested in joining the VR industry too.

In case you remember, the company had launched a low cost VR product, called the Google Cardboard which uses your existing smartphone to provide a VR experience. However, according to the latest report from WSJ, Google is busy working on an independent Virtual Reality Headset which will be more advanced than Cardboard. So, it won’t be using a smartphone for display, rather it would come with its own components. The headset is said to feature its own processor, camera and display. The chips could be supplied by the startup, Movidius, adds the report.

While these features portray the upcoming Google VR headset as a high-end product, the report says that it aims to provide a ‘middle ground’ experience. The report further states that a release date of this Google VR headset is unsure, but one of the sources claim that the company could unveil it sometime later this year.

Given that all major tech companies like Sony, Samsung, HTC, Apple and now Google have either unveiled a Virtual Reality product or are rumored to release one real soon, we can expect the competition in the VR industry to intensify in the coming months.

But for those who are just not ready to shell out hundreds of dollars on a VR headset, the $20 Google Cardboard might just be enough.

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LeTV Developing A Portable 3D IMAX Private Cinema Headset

Joel Joseph — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 03:40:23 +0000

LeTV managed to surprise everyone by launching a trio of smartphones back in April. The company had also revealed its interest in the VR industry and today, we have got news that LeTV is busy developing its own Portable 3D IMAX Private Cinema Headset.

COO of LeTV, Liang said that the company is working on such a 3D IMAX headset, which will consist of a lightweight IMAX quality headset and the smartphone as the 3D video source. The 3D screen set and the sound equipment will be directly integrated into the light weight headset. The smartphone will be used as the video source to deliver an IMAX like experience. It is even said that this 3D VR headset will support short-sighted users.

As for the content, the company has its own R&D as well as good ties with game developers who can provide resources for this headset. So, finding 3D and 4K content for the device won’t be a big problem.

You can expect to at least see a prototype version of this 3D IMAX headset by the third quarter of 2015. Pretty interesting right? We just hope that its price is decent.

In the mean time, you can check out our LeTV One full review!

The post LeTV Developing A Portable 3D IMAX Private Cinema Headset appeared first on Gizmochina.

virtual reality Archives - Gizmochina

Tencent is Renewing Chinese Opera with AI and VR Technology

The company is even planning to build a digital library

A Dungeons and Dragons VR Game is Reportedly Under Development

Dungeons and Dragons is an iconic fantasy game that many are familiar with

AR/VR headset market witnesses continued decline in Q2 2023, hopes for a rebound in 2024

The Decline in AR/VR Headset Shipments

China’s AR market surges by 258%, while VR struggles with a 60% decline in Q2 2023

AR Devices See a Slight Decrease in Average Pricing

Toyota’s game-changing concept: Swapping in-car displays with AR glasses

Augmented Reality Takes the Wheel: Toyota’s Visionary Approach to In-Car Technology

Microsoft has no Plans to Enter the AR/VR Gaming Space Yet

Microsoft plans to leverage its existing Intellectual Properties to create new content

The Company behind Changba Karaoke Launches new VR Camera called “Calf”

VR is a strong market right now, & Changba wants to harness its potential

Apple’s AR/VR Headset will take Virtual Concerts to New Heights

The same technology could be used for live sporting events as well

The Future of VR is Here: Meta’s Highly Anticipated Quest 3 VR Headset Has Been Unveiled for $499.99

Meta vs. Apple: The Battle for Mixed Reality Dominance

Quest 3 Features New Design, Improved Performance, and More for an Immersive VR Experience

Sony PlayStation VR 2 outperforms PC with RTX 3090 in certain VR games

Apple AR/VR Headset Could Be Delayed Due To Software-Related Issues: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple’s Upcoming AR/VR Headset To Run xrOS Operating System

Meta/Oculus Quest Pro VR Headset Arriving in early October

Sony confirmed to launch PlayStation VR2 headset early next year

Xiaomi invests in VR based firm founded by known Movie Director Zhang Yimou

Sony launches Xperia View VR headset: 2K resolution for both eyes when paired with Xperia 1 III

Leaked Samsung AR Glasses concept videos give us an idea of what to expect

BOE to reportedly launch MicroOLED display panels later this year

Apple’s first-ever AR/VR headset will reportedly adopt a premium pricing, expected in 2022

Samsung and Stanford collaborates to make 10,000PPI OLED display

UP NEXT: LG Q52 launched with a 6.6-inch display, Helio P35, 48MP quad cameras, and 4,000mAh battery

Huawei VR Glass goes on sale in China today for 2,999 yuan ($428)

EDITOR’S PICK: Realme Buds Air First Look: The Cheaper AirPods Have Landed

UP NEXT: Huawei P Smart Pro smartphone debuts with notch-less display and 48-megapixel triple rear cameras

Huawei VR Glass officially launched in China for 2,999 Yuan ($424)

EDITOR’S PICK: Huawei Mate X 5G foldable officially released in China, Limited Sale starts from November 15

UP NEXT: Sharp announces WG-PN1 electronic notebook with 6 inch e-ink display

HTC Vive Pro Eye takes VR to the next level with Integrated Eye Tracking

Lenovo Announces VR Classroom Kit With Standalone Daydream VR Headset

Master Lu Releases World’s First Mobile VR Benchmarking Tool

Samsung’s New Gear VR Headset Has a Vive-like Controller

Samsung Will Have Four AR and VR Projects on Exhibition at MWC 2017

Relúmĭno

VuildUs

Monitorless

traVRer

Hugo Barra joins Facebook as VP of Virtual Reality

ODG R-8 & R-9 Are the First Snapdragon 835-based Mixed AR & VR Glasses

Vernee Apollo Finally Launching This Month: First MTK VR Flagship

Xiaomi is Working on a More Sophisticated VR Headset

Xiaomi Mi VR Play Hands on Pictures

What’s in The Box?

Setting Up

Content

Mi VR Play Availablility and Price

Xiaomi Mi VR Play unveiled: VR Glass, VR App, Zippers, Lycra covered design

Xiaomi Releases First Trailer for VR Headset

Xiaomi Teases August 1 release date for first VR Headset

Nico360 is a Tiny 360 camera that features live streaming

OnePlus VR Headset Review – Good but Not Really Comfortable

OnePlus VR Headset Review: VIDEO

OnePlus VR Headset Review: UNBOXING

OnePlus VR Headset Review: DESIGN and FEATURES

OnePlus VR Headset Review: CONCLUSIONS

VR Box Is An Enhanced Google Cardboard Version For $30.99

Google Reportedly Working On An Independent VR Headset, More Advanced Than Cardboard

LeTV Developing A Portable 3D IMAX Private Cinema Headset