Tag Archives: Virtual reality

Lightweight and compact, Beyond VR headset makes metaverse exploration ultra-comfortable

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Let’s be honest, VR headsets are exciting tools for immersive experiences in virtual or augmented reality applications, but damn they are too bulky to account for any practical usage for an extended period of time.

Be it the Sony PlayStation VR, HTC Vive Pro 2, or Meta Quest 2; each one of them is still not compact for the masses to garner major attention. That could change with the Beyond VR headset, one of the lightest and most compact VR headsets for a comfortable Metaverse exploration.

Designer: Bigscreen

For someone like me who’s always eager about new technologies infusion into the gaming and entertainment world, the Bigscreen Beyond VR headset is as exciting as it could be. All the powerful VR headsets currently on the market are bulky and heavy – not igniting my interest beyond just a few minutes of curiosity. This PC-only headset is different though, weighing just 127 grams, it is six times lighter than any other headset currently up for grabs. At its thinnest point, the VR headset measures less than an inch and has a very low profile (something akin to the DJI FPV goggles), which is a major design advantage.

If you are thinking, this compact form factor would have some hardware compromises, then that’s not true. The VR headset comes with two 1-inch OLED microdisplays, each at a resolution of 5120×2560, and support for 75Hz and 90 Hz refresh rates. The headset has a 90 to 93-degree horizontal field of view, along with the six-degrees of freedom tracking (requires SteamVR Base Stations) and three-element pancake optics to eliminate the screen door effect which used to hamper the overall viewing experience in other VR headsets. Bigscreen also includes stereo microphones, and a proximity sensor to detect the distance between the face and the headset for an immersive experience.

The significant reduction in size of the Beyond headset is achieved by making some strategic sacrifices like adjusting knobs or other controls that are not vital. Those face cushions on the headset can be customized using the accompanying app to fit your face snugly. There’s a catch though, for now, only the iPhone XR or newer Apple phones can use the TrueDepth sensor to create a “ millimeter precision 3D mesh of your face.” Device sharing is also possible since the face cushions can be swapped with another one.

Beyond VR headset is available for pre-order in the US for $999, with shipping promised in Q3 this year, and the amount is fully refundable. You’ll have to buy the compatible SteamVR base station, and the Valve Index controllers to get going right away with the VR exploration. Also, the built-in headphones only come with the optional Audio Strap, and the video feed can only be tethered via a PC.

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Immersive, hooded monitor can give you googles-less VR experience

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Virtual reality doesn’t belong in sci-fi movies or TV shows anymore as we’re seeing a lot of AR and VR products in the market, to varying degrees of success. It’s still not something as ubiquitous as smartphones or tablets but when we finally get a product that everyone can afford and is pretty easy to use, we might see a breakthrough. For now though, we’re still seeing various experimental products like VR goggles, consoles, games, and now, even desktop monitors.

Designer: Brelyon

If you wanted to have a virtual reality experience but without VR goggles, this new immersive monitor might eventually become an option. The Ultra Reality Display is a 30″ monitor that will make you feel like you’re looking into a 110-degree or 155-degree screen so you don’t need to have multiple screens when you’re trying to edit a video or looking at several excel sheets or when you’re playing a game that needs a more immersive environment.

The monitor is able to do this, or at least trick your eyes, through its hooded shape and a “wraparound vision”. They claim that it is able to give you a “depth profile that emulates the curvature of the human eye”. So instead of the “flat” view that regular monitors give you an immersive screen ideal for things like gaming, training simulators, and the early days of the metaverse. The video gives some of the technical details like it has an 8K pOLED engine, a 110″ virtual screen, a 155 degree field of view, synthetic aperture, spatial acoustic field, and fusion lightfield expansion architecture.

On paper, there are a lot of things a monitor like this could be used for like simulation training, teleconferencing, gaming, and if you want to watch movies like you’re in your own personal theater. The design looks like you would fit right in with Black Mirror (hopefully with better endings) or near-future sci-fi videos. I don’t know if the experience would be comfortable or if it might bring sensory overload because of its shape and immersive feel.

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This AR helmet for kids hones creativity by scribbling and drawing in 3D space without any limitations

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Honing the creative bend of kids in their early life is important, and their best tool is drawing. That, however, comes with a menacing aftermath for the parents who have to ensure the kids don’t etch the walls of the living room or bedroom with a permanent marker or a hard-to-wipe-off crayon.

To create a good balance between the incremental increase in kids’ creative levels over time without having a messy home, virtual and augmented reality are the best solution. That’s what this AR Helmet concept is all about.

Designer: Designer Dot

With Metaverse applications gaining traction all this while, a product like this one is imminent. It lets children go wild with their scribbling skills without parents having to worry about messed-up walls, tables, or anything else the little ones perceive as the perfect canvas. The combination of the AR helmet having a smart wiser screen to display the augmented interface and the pen controller to let the imagination loose makes this concept highly feasible. Moreover, the unique element of the gadget will appeal to children as well who are becoming tech-savvy by the day.

Both the helmet and the pen controller are lightweight for obvious reasons. The AR elements on the helmet wiser screen guide the kids to draw meaningful shapes by inducing learning. The easy-to-use UI comes with interesting tools to increase productive engagement. Things such as in-built example drawings and the ability to sketch with friends or play educational AR games. The pen controller with one button control is equally easy to use.

The ergonomic comfort of the helmet is paramount so it comes with vents on the front and back to keep active airflow while used for long hours. The chin strap is magnetic for easy clasp action and easily adjustable depending on the head size. AR helmet is charged via a USB cable, and the pen controller attaches to the right side of the helmet for recharging.

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Logitech Chorus headset for Meta Quest 2 brings richer audio to the Metaverse experience

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The Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset has quite a few undeniable merits – it’s lightweight, comfortable and can run graphics-intensive games without twitching. The self-contained VR headset could be the best out there depending on the user’s requirements – be it raw power or the ease of use for long hours of roaming in the Metaverse.

Built-in speakers on the VR headset deliver stereo sound, but if you are looking for a more immersive listening experience to match the visuals in virtual reality, Logitech has just got the right accessory.

Designer: Logitech

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The off-ear headphones (they don’t sit over the ears like regular ones) christened “Chorus” bring ultra-realistic audio to the listener’s VR experience. The fact that they don’t encapsulate ears means you’ll still be listening to outside ambient sound, something similar to the open ring design of the niche Sony LinkBuds. While personally, I like a secure seal to get fully engulfed in the music, games or movies I watch while being plugged in, there’s still a huge market for such audio listening accessories.

Specifically designed for the Meta Quest 2 headset, these headphones strap onto the VR headset on each side. Mind you, they are compatible with Meta’s Elite straps. The speakers on either side can swivel to adjust the preferred position for listening which is great for customizing the audio being delivered. The thing is powered by the VR headset’s USB-C port and the volume is controlled by the Quest 2 volume rocker button itself.

According to Logitech the speakers weighing 182 grams in total come with custom-tuned drivers capable of delivering the “biggest moments and the tiniest details in the Metaverse.” The open-back design means the sound signature is going to be on the warmer side. Looking around in the playing field, the first similar competition that comes to mind is the HTC Deluxe Audio strap which has a pair of decent-sounding headphones and a set of straps for a similar effect as that of the Chorus.

Matt Green, senior manager, acoustics engineering at Logitech summed up the existence of the headphones by saying that Chorus is more than the next step in audio for VR, it represents years of feedback from developers, gamers, and the VR community, and we couldn’t be more excited for this addition to the immersive VR experience.

Logitech Chorus is soon going to be available from the official Logitech portal and so on Amazon for a price tag of $99. For someone who doesn’t mind shelling out $399 on a VR headset, adding this pair of accessories won’t shake things up that much.

Click Here to Buy Now

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Sony game controller lets you switch from real to unreal gaming on the fly, promises fully immersive experience

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I have just kept the PlayStation controller aside after a fierce game of FIFA with my bud. My thumb’s aching and I’m wondering, what if I could disjoin the controller to use the joystick on either side so the pressure could be distributed between both the thumbs? Well, if there was a controller to suffice this demand, it ought to do a little more than just disjoining for user comfort.

A designer believes the average DualShock should be able to rip apart and double up as a Virtual Reality game controller, and we’re intrigued! The Wireless VR controller that gamers would be using with Sony’s fully immersive PS VR headset, potentially in the future, has been modeled after the PS gaming controller’s design language. The artistically pleasing controller is called the “Unreal Control” and it by virtue is an innovative iteration of the Sony gamepad lineup.

Designer: Evgenia Burmistrova

VR game controller, Unreal Control, is not just about the looks and its uncompromising inclination to Sony’s design aesthetics. The controller in fact is built in with VR sensors. The ground intention thus is to combine a regular gamepad with a VR controller. Simply so the gamers don’t have to let go of their session and shift flawlessly from a regular game to a playful real-life adventure in VR. In addition to allowing the gamer to immerse in the world of VR gaming without distraction, the controller also allows one to play games with elements of augmented reality. It is therefore fathomed for an unforgettable emotion across the platform or technology you’d like to interact in.

The wonderful bit about the Unreal is its two-fold design – figuratively! Two controllers are created to play in augmented reality which can be connected together in a frame as a single unit to give you a modern gamepad. The independent controllers with built-in VR sensors can be used individually or connected to function in tune as one controller so you can switch on the fly from unreal game mode to real or vice versa.

No matter the functionality the controller can pull off, its design: look and feel are of equal consideration to a gamer. Combining elements of Sony’s design philosophy, the controller exhibits soft shades and has smooth curves. This makes it really ergonomic to hold and comfortable to play with. This is essentially made possible with the construction material. The controller is made from matte eco-friendly plastic, which makes the accessory slip resistant in the hands and completely recyclable at the end of life. Designed in colors to appeal to both women and men gamers, the VR game controller is progressive and stylish, bound to attract gamers with its brevity, minimalism and simplicity.

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This FPS gaming VR controller has realistic force feedback to feel actual gun recoil

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Virtual reality experiences are gradually going to take over our digital adventures – Metaverse is the prime example – and gaming is the first stepping stone for this transition. The market dotted with VR gaming accessories such as Oculus Touch, HTC Vive, PlayStation Move or Samsung Gear VR already bring superior interaction with the in-game action.

But there’s always room for dedicated VR controller products for FPS games to come alive. The ViR controller designed for VR platforms is inspired by the PlayStation 5 controller, and it brings a refreshing take on what ergonomic gaming accessories of the future ought to be like. Not on PS5, but the controller will be compatible across a range of gaming and VR applications.

Designer: Tom Man Design

Typically crafted for first-person shooting action, the ergonomic controller concept brings forth a realistic sensory experience for the gamers in virtual reality. Just imagine feeling the gun recoil, as would in real life, while toppling enemies like dominos in a gory blood bath. The motivation of the concept is to break the traditional look of guns and pistols for existing controllers, and bring a more settled and elegant design. This is important because in the coming years how we experience virtual reality in games is going to be on an altogether different scale.

The ViR controller feels like an actual weapon in hands, but visually it is a toned-down version of a gun, to keep things practical for frequent use. It has very realistic feedback – combining dynamic trigger, front-facing stereo cameras, full thumb and finger tracking, and actuators. All these in combination simulate the real feel of the gamer’s on-screen action. According to the designer, the dynamic trigger
brings a very refined level of force and tension feedback, as you interact with the in-game equipment and environment, to get a more realistic experience.

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Apple Vision renders what the eventual mixed reality headset from the Cupertino giant could be

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Apple was expected to release information about its mixed reality headset at the recently concluded WWDC 2022. Since the fans were left disappointed, there is no other option but to treat our eyes to designers’ interpretation of what the anticipated headset – that could herald Apple into a new dimension – would look like.

Rumors of Apple working on some kind of Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headset have been shrouding us for a very-very long time. While we have no clarity on what to expect from the headset and when it may be launched, designer Marcus Kane has conceptualized the Apple Vision – an adaptation of Apple’s mixed reality headset, based on its leaks, rumors, and patents.

Designer: Marcus Kane

If analyst Mark Gurman – who has a long-standing record for accurately predicting Apple’s product plans – is to be believed, the new headset will launch in 2023. The unit will be accompanied by a slew of other products, between fall this year and early 2023, Gurman notes. The ambitious period for Apple is just around the corner, and we are speculatively looking at the new iPhone 14 models, updated iPads, AirPods Pro, and an interesting new HomePod.

Besides, there is a likely possibility that Apple would roll out a few Mac models powered by in-house M2 and M3 chips. Reportedly, the M2 chip could also power the company’s premier mixed reality headset. Whether the Apple headset would eventually be an everyday wear or a Meta Quest 2-eseqe headset, only time will tell. For now, Apple Vision speculates it as any other VR headset on the market – a design that is not too far from the Quest 2.

A comfortable fit is perhaps guaranteed by its curved design with breathable soft mesh cushioning to rest against the face. The adjustable rubber headband would presumably be swappable – as Apple’s eventual headset is expected to achieve. The Apple Vision renders are much influenced by the images of the Apple headset idealized by concept maker Ian Zelbo, but it is likely to support microphones, spatial audio and immersive 8K viewing with response to the wearer’s eye movements and maybe hand gestures using onboard optical cameras.

According to rumors, the mixed reality headset is going to pack 16 gigs of RAM with an M2 processor powering its guts. This if eventually achieved will catapult AR/VR experience offered by the Apple headset well past the Meta’s VR headset option or even any other examples currently out there. Slated to be a dynamic choice for users when launched in 2023, will the headset end up looking anything like the Apple Vision, what do you think?

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This Metaverse streaming device connects virtual world with the real one

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The augmented reality and virtual reality applications aided by the sensory inputs to blur the lines between the real and the virtual world are staring us right into the eye. Metaverse is the endgame (that’s what we can assume at this point in time) of this cohesive amalgam of hardware and software ecosystems. Currently, in its infancy stage, the market forecast hints at almost double the growth since 2020 in VR and AR applications. Hence, Metaverse applications too are going to get an exponential boost.

This cool gadget for connecting the real world and the Metaverse world is a gateway for extended usability, providing a smooth transition between the two realms. It makes even more sense keeping in mind the future where the lines will be so blurry that identifying the real from the virtual will be vital. This portal will actuate all the possible applications connected to the Metaverse like gaming, roaming in the VR world, or even having a pseudo-life in an alternate reality!

Designer: Fountain Studio

Users are connected to the VR world via the interface of this gadget having a bezeless display and buttons including power on/off, microphone access, and home button. The user has full control over the peripheral device management and a list of compatible applications it can use. When not having intense visual entertainment in the virtual world, the user can interact with other users using the integrated messenger application to ascertain where you need to invest your time.

So, whether you are going all-in shooting enemies in a game using the Oculus Quest 2 or having a milder experience of roaming in your favorite locations in VR, the gadget manages everything seamlessly, so that you don’t have to go through any hassle of synchronizing hardware and apps. It’ll be like your trusted streaming device for the virtual world.

 

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This detachable mouse + VR controller combo is what Metaverse applications demand

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Virtual reality and augmented reality are seeping slowly into our lives, affecting the way we interact with our environment. This has changed the complexion of accessories we own, and again, the way we are used to interacting with them. Take for example the good old mouse – which comes in options including ones dedicated for gaming, editing, ambidextrous ones, or ones that come for dedicated left- or right-hand use.

Now, Metaverse adds another dimension to the already diverse VR applications. This is where the Mozer Mouse designed by Suosi Design comes into the picture with multiple-use freedom, both for computer applications as well as VR applications and gaming. The mouse is suited for any kind of scenario – be it creating content on PC or strolling in 3D virtual reality. Mozer is designed in a way to make the switch from one application to another contrasting application, virtually seamlessly.

Designer: Suosi Design

The design studio has cleverly crafted the shape of the peripheral to perform the VR function for 360 degrees of freedom, and back to a normal mouse use when working on your PC. The VR controller bit of the Mozer Mouse easily detaches from the main housing and easily pairs with compatible accessories. This is where the laser scanner of the mouse and the On/Off toggle button lies. So, when tethered to the base, it acts like any other mouse with the optical scanner and toggle buttons in the desired position.

The design has a very practical essence to it since it solves multiple purposes with a very simple clean innovation that doesn’t disrupt the inherent purpose of the peripheral in any way. Perhaps we are going to see more accessories evolve into such modular forms as the Metaverse craze catches the masses!

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A modular controller for all your metaverse adventures and beyond

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Metaverse is the next big rage aided by AR and VR ecosystems, traversing the users into a realm that’s way more exciting than the real world. The hardware environment is diversifying ever than before to express the applications of the metaverse. So, why not have a modular controller that will be your best tool in a world where everything is possible, right from driving the rarest of hypercars in your alley to jumping off the space station into the infinite limits of the universe.

This modular controller seems like a viable idea for the future where we’ll be spending a chunk of our time in the hyper-reality. The role of AR/VR headsets/glasses, display screens, smartphones, or other peripherals is still not clear. That said, the metaverse environment could benefit in a number of ways from such a cool peripheral. Dubbed Modulus, the next-generation modular system smart controller consists of a base module and three separate units which can be put to use depending on the way the user wants to interact in the metaverse.

These three units consist of a holder unit to mount your smartphone (even a foldable or rollable phone), AR gaming unit and a Smart TV unit. The use case scenarios are plenty, right from using the holder unit as a smart scope interface in the peripheral vision to using it as a pair of 360-degree freedom Oculus Quest 2 Controller Grip-like accessories. The basic idea is to have a controller that can be modified in a jiffy without any nuances.

Take for example attaching the smartphone to the two holder units, and then onto the base modules to act as a gaming controller. Once you’re done with knocking down your opponents in COD Mobile, undo the setup and plug it in the Smart TV unit into one of the base modules to navigate in VR to your favorite scenic location to unwind.

Designer Min Chang KIM has managed to catch the very essence of how metaverse would function, and what functionality will help make the seamless transition from the real world into the virtual one!

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