The best VR accessories for 2024

Posted on 15/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Virtual reality has come a long, long way since the days of Nintendo’s doomed Virtual Boy. The Meta Quest 3 just came out, Sony continues to offer support for the PS VR2 and there are a number of PC-connected headsets from HP, HTC, Vive and others. If you or someone you love has just dove head-first into the virtual world by buying one of these devices, the right accessories can make the experience even better than they thought it could be. But like any growing industry, there’s a growing number of virtual reality accessories out there and figuring out which are actually worth buying can be confusing. That’s where we come in: here are the best VR accessories for folks tired of boring-old actual reality.

We tried to keep these picks as universal as possible, to suit the various VR ecosystems out there. However, some of the best VR accessories only work on certain platforms and we’ll note this stuff as we go. We also stayed away from experimental and expensive add-ons, like treadmills and force feedback clothing, to keep you from bankruptcy.

Best VR controller accessories

DeadEyeVR DriVR Golf Club Handle

AMVR Fishing Rod

Best VR headset upgrades

Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4

Best VR fitness accessories

Ringside Weighted Exercise Gloves

Skywin VR Mat

Best VR cables, chargers and batteries

Casematix Hard Case

Meta Link Cable

Kiwi Design 10,000 mAh Battery Pack

AMVR Headset Holder

NexiGo VR Cable Management System

FAQs

What equipment do you need for VR?

What you need depends on the VR headset you buy. Some devices, like the Meta Quest 3, are entirely standalone, which means you don't need anything but the headset itself to use it. Other VR headsets need to be connected to a system from which it can draw power and run software. Some systems, like the HP Reverb G2, must connect to a PC, while others like the PS VR2 can connect to gaming consoles like the PS5. Most VR headsets come with the basic controllers you'll need to control actions and movement in virtual worlds.

What's the difference between PC VR, Smartphone VR and Gaming Console VR?

The main difference between those three VR systems is the main machine that allows the VR headset to run. PC VR headsets require a PC, like a gaming laptop or desktop, to run, while smartphone and gaming console VR systems require smartphones and gaming consoles, respectively, to work.

Do all VR headsets need a phone?

No, not all VR headsets need a phone to work. Many VR headsets have build in displays that sit in front of your eyes and basically act as your window into the virtual world.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-vr-accessories-150021126.html?src=rss

The best VR accessories for 2024

Posted on 15/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Best VR controller accessories

DeadEyeVR DriVR Golf Club Handle

AMVR Fishing Rod

Best VR headset upgrades

Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4

Best VR fitness accessories

Ringside Weighted Exercise Gloves

Skywin VR Mat

Best VR cables, chargers and batteries

Casematix Hard Case

Meta Link Cable

Kiwi Design 10,000 mAh Battery Pack

AMVR Headset Holder

NexiGo VR Cable Management System

FAQs

What equipment do you need for VR?

What's the difference between PC VR, Smartphone VR and Gaming Console VR?

Do all VR headsets need a phone?

No, not all VR headsets need a phone to work. Many VR headsets have build in displays that sit in front of your eyes and basically act as your window into the virtual world.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-vr-accessories-150021126.html?src=rss

Roland’s new software instrument Galaxias offers access to 20,000 sounds

Posted on 15/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Roland just unveiled its latest software plugin instrument. Galaxias, not to be confused with the Galaga-esque arcade game Galaxia, offers access to 20,000 sounds, leading Roland to call it “one big super instrument.” It runs as a standalone application on both macOS and Windows, in addition to operating as a VST3 or AU plugin.

This looks a lot like Arturia’s amazing Analog Lab software, as Galaxias provides access to sounds across Roland’s entire history. There are presets sourced from nearly every Roland instrument you can think of, from the iconic Jupiter 8 synthesizer to the, uh, even more iconic TR 808 drum machine. These sounds aren’t just from retro darlings, as there are plenty of options culled from recent releases like System 8 and Zenology, among others.

As a matter of fact, the company says Galaxias provides access to any instrument available via Roland Cloud. You can also layer up to four instruments together, along with two effects per layer, to create custom soundscapes that Roland calls Scenes. Additionally, there are some beefed up adjustment parameters here, with macro controls that let you change up 128 parameters via internal LFOs or an external MIDI controller.

Just like Analog Lab, everything’s designed around a proprietary interface that allows for custom organization options, so you won’t lose your favorite preset in a mad dash to find the beefiest bassline. Roland also says that more sounds and capabilities will be added regularly.

Galaxias is available now and is included with a Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, which costs $200 per year or $20 each month. There’s a 30-day free trial for those curious about what all the fuss is about.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rolands-new-software-instrument-galaxias-offers-access-to-20000-sounds-010004849.html?src=rss

Arturia’s Black Friday sale is live and offers 50 percent off flagship software

Posted on 14/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Music gear and plugin maker Arturia is known for its annual Black Friday sale and it’s that time of year again. The sale is officially live, offering deep 50 percent discounts on most of its software instruments and effects plugins.

That means you can snag the stellar V Collection 9 for $300 instead of $600. The latest and greatest collection of vintage synth recreations now features 32 instruments, along with thousands upon thousands of presets. The sounds are pristine, the interface is solid and the presets are easily accessible, thanks to integration with the company’s Analog Lab software. You even get integration with those newer Mac chipsets.

The sale also applies to Arturia’s collection of effects plugins, which recently added a rotating Leslie speaker to its roster of studio-grade effects. Other than that, the collection includes everything you need to finish up high-quality tracks, from compressors to reverbs and beyond. The sale brings the price down to $250 from $500.

The discounts aren’t just for collections of virtual instruments and plugins. You can also get the well-reviewed Pigments synthesizer for $100 instead of $200. This is the company’s flagship modern soft-synth, with two engines working in parallel to create unique sounds. Arturia also frequently updates this software with new engines and effects.

Analog Lab is also on sale for $100 instead of $200, making for an extremely attractive entrypoint to Arturia’s many offerings. The Black Friday sale starts today and ends on December 5, so you have a couple of weeks to set aside plugin money.

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/arturias-black-friday-sale-is-live-and-offers-50-percent-off-flagship-software-200027466.html?src=rss

Here are the coolest trailers from Nintendo’s Indie World event

Posted on 14/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Nintendo just held one of its Indie World showcase events, the first since April, and debuted a number of trailers for forthcoming Switch titles developed by small studios. There were plenty of nifty indies teased for the future or even surprise-released today, but let’s get one thing out of the way first. There was no new trailer for Hollow Knight: Silksong, nor was there any availability information, so the waiting game continues.

Just because Hollow Knight’s sequel continues to be vaporware doesn’t mean that the event didn’t see some big metroidvania news. There’s a new Shantae game, and it has taken even longer than Silksong to release. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution was a title that started development over 20 years ago and was originally intended for the Game Boy Advance. The hook here seems to be multiple layers that Shantae can move between to find secrets. It will be released sometime next year.

Next, there’s Moonstone Island, a game that’s been eating up the Steam charts lately. This is an absolutely stellar game in the “cozy” genre that’s basically a combination between Pokémon and Stardew Valley. There are creatures to collect, turn-based battles, farming, romance and plenty of mystery. The world is huge and I’ve yet to uncover it all even after months of playing. The Switch version is due to arrive in spring of next year.

Another big Steam hit from earlier this year is making its way to the Switch in 2024. Core Keeper is a nifty mining-themed roguelike that I’ve had a lot of fun these past several months. The gameplay loop is addictive, with base-building, upgrades aplenty and huge bosses. There’s also a fairly robust multiplayer component.

The gorgeous tactical RPG Howl surprise-launched today. Set in medieval times, Howl has you trying to fend off a plague that turns folks into feral beasts. You’ll participate in turn-based battles as you search for a cure. The graphics and art style sure are strong with this one. There’s a demo for those curious and the full release costs $15.

Another gorgeous title, A Highland Song, releases on December 5. This sidescrolling adventure looks to share some DNA with games such as Limbo and promises an adaptive narrative that changes along with player choice. There’s also a soundtrack populated exclusively by Scottish folk bands.

Of course, that’s just scratching the surface of the trailers shown at Indie World. The Nintendo Switch is getting a refresh of one of the most iconic indie games of all time, Braid. Additionally, there’s the turn-based mouse sim Backpack Hero, the drawing-based puzzler Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist and many more, all releasing today or in the near future.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/here-are-the-coolest-trailers-from-nintendos-indie-world-event-185937988.html?src=rss

Ableton’s Push 3 controller is 20 percent off in early Black Friday deal

Posted on 14/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Ableton’s simply-named Push controller, which is actually the Push 3 for those keeping count, is on sale for 20 percent off straight from the manufacturer, bringing the cost down to $1,600 from that eye-watering MSRP of $2,000. This deal’s for the standalone version of the hardware, so you can make beats wherever you want.

Ableton doesn’t do hardware sales too often, so this is worth considering if you’ve been on the fence about the Push controller. To sweeten the deal, the company’s also selling its DAW, Live 11, for 20 percent off, bringing the price down to $350 for the standard version and $600 for the complete Suite version with 70+ gigs of additional content. There’s also a bare-bones version for $80, down from $100.

If you’re an Ableton-head, you probably know that Live 12 just got announced with a release date of early next year. Don’t worry. Buying Live 11 now with today’s discount ensures a free upgrade to Live 12 when it arrives.

The latest and greatest Push controller is a hybrid device that works as a standalone groovebox or connected to the computer, similar to the Native Instruments Maschine+. We admired the Push controller when we used it, calling out the usefulness of the 64 MPE enabled pads and the power of the integrated 11th Core i3 processor with 8GB of RAM.

We were impressed by the decreased latency during use, noting that playing with the controller in standalone mode actually featured less lag than when working tethered to a computer. This makes it a fantastic device for live performances. The battery life isn’t the greatest, but that’s to be expected with all of that juice. The price is also exorbitant, which has been mitigated a bit by this sale.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/abletons-push-standalone-midi-controller-is-20-percent-off-in-early-black-friday-deal-161429042.html?src=rss

iRobot’s Roomba Combo j5+ is $300 off in an early Black Friday deal

Posted on 14/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

iRobot's Roomba Combo j5+ robot vacuum is $300 off in an early Black Friday deal via Wellbots. This is a record-low for the appliance, dropping the price to $500 instead of the MSRP of $800. In the past, discounts for the j5+ stalled at around $200 off. As typical with Wellbots deals, there’s a promo code. Just enter “ENGBF300” at checkout and you’ll be good to go.

The Roomba Combo j5+, as the name suggests, is a combination unit that includes both a vacuum and a mopping feature. It can pinpoint no-mop zones, so you don’t have to worry about the robot spraying fluid all over your brand-new carpet. The j5+ can also avoid more than 80 common floor obstacles. As a matter of fact, iRobot will replace the unit for free if it doesn’t avoid pet waste, as part of the company’s “P.O.O.P.” pledge. No, we didn’t make that up. It stands for “Pet Owner Official Promise.”

This is a well-regarded robovac with one obvious downside when compared to pricier models like the Roomba j7+ and the flagship j9+. Despite the combo functionality, you have to manually swap out the bins when switching between vacuuming and mopping. The more expensive robots do this automatically. Still, the j9+ costs $900 and the j5+ is currently on sale for $400. You’ll have to decide if that automation feature is worth the price difference.

Wellbots is also selling the junior-grade Roomba 694 vacuum for $115 off. Just enter “ENGBF115” and grab it for $159. This is your basic workhorse robovac with no mopping functionality. It does one job and it does it well, which is why it ended up on our lists of the best robot vacuums for 2023 and the best budget robot vacuums.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/irobots-roomba-combo-j5-is-300-off-in-an-early-black-friday-deal-150047886.html?src=rss

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro fall to record low price of $117 in an early Black Friday deal

Posted on 14/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro earbuds are on sale for $117 via Wellbots. This matches a record-low for the well-regarded device and represents a savings of $83. Just pop the earbuds in your cart and put in the code “ENGPIXBF” at checkout. These earbuds drop to $117 every once in a while, but they don’t ever go lower than that.

We called these earbuds Google's best effort to date in our official review, praising the useful touch controls and wireless charging options. We also liked the deep and punchy bass offered by the buds and the fact that they ship with active noise cancellation technology, a first for this line. There’s a reason, after all, why the Pixel Buds Pro made our list of the best wireless earbuds for 2023.

The battery gets 11 hours per charge from the earbuds, but up to 31 hours with the included charging case. They are also IPX4 water-resistant and offer multipoint connection options. These are earbuds designed by Google, however, so Android users get some bonuses, like the company’s Translate Conversation Mode. If you’re tied into the Apple ecosystem, these may not be the best fit.

This isn’t the only Google product on sale via Wellbots. You can also snag a Nest Hub Max smart display for $124 with the promo code “ENGMAXBF.” This represents a savings of over $100 for the 10-inch touchscreen-enabled device.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-buds-pro-fall-to-record-low-price-of-117-in-early-black-friday-deal-140030014.html?src=rss

Popular AI platform introduces rewards system to encourage deepfakes of real people

Posted on 13/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Civitai, an online marketplace for sharing AI models, just introduced a new feature called “bounties” to encourage its community to develop passable deepfakes of real people, as originally reported by 404 Media. Whoever concocts the best AI model gets a virtual currency called “Buzz” that users can buy with actual money.

Many of the bounties posted to the site ask users to recreate the likeness of celebrities and social media influencers, most of them female. The reporting also calls out the lion’s share of these results as “nonconsensual sexual images.” This is the kind of thing that has been proliferating across the internet for years and years, but artificial intelligence allows for a more realistic end result. Additionally, 404 Media found some requests for private people with no significant online presence, making this even more creepy.

“I am very afraid of what this can become,” Michele Alves, an Instagram influencer who has a bounty on Civitai, told 404 Media. “I don't know what measures I could take, since the internet seems like a place out of control.”

According to market firm Andreessen Horowitz, Civitai is the seventh most popular generative AI platform at the moment. In other words, there are a whole lot of eyeballs on these bounty requests. It only took staffers at 404 Media moments to source images sent via a bounty request to a private person with personal social media accounts boasting just a few followers. The person who posted the bounty claimed it was his wife, but her social media accounts said otherwise. Gross.

One Civitai user declined the bounty on the grounds that it was “asking for legal problems in the future.” To that end, Virginia just updated its revenge porn laws to punish deekfake creators with up to one year in jail. Still, this particular request was fulfilled and several images were uploaded to the site, though they were non-sexual in nature.

It’s worth noting that very few of the bounty requests specifically state the poster’s looking for sexual material, couching the request in vague language. Some, however, go all-in, using terms like “degenerate request” along with comments on female breast size. Civitai, for its part, says that these bounties should not be used to create non-consensual AI-generated sexual images of real people.

However, both sexual images of public-facing figures and non-sexual images of regular people are allowed. After that, it’s just a matter of combining the two. 404 Media used the company's text-to-image tool to create non-consensual sexual images of a real person “in seconds.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/popular-ai-platform-introduces-rewards-system-to-encourage-deepfakes-of-real-people-194326312.html?src=rss

Google sues scammers that allegedly released a malware-filled Bard knockoff

Posted on 13/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

The hype surrounding emerging technologies like generative AI creates a wild west, of sorts, for bad actors seeking to capitalize on consumer confusion. To that end, Google is suing some scammers who allegedly tricked people into downloading an “unpublished” version of its Bard AI software. Instead of a helpful chatbot, this Bard was reportedly stuffed with malware.

The lawsuit was filed today in California and it alleges that individuals based in Vietnam have been setting up social media pages and running ads encouraging users to download a version of Bard, but this version doesn’t deliver helpful answers on how to cook risotto or whatever. This Bard, once downloaded by some rube, worms its way into the system and steals passwords and social media credentials. The lawsuit notes that these scammers have specifically used Facebook as their preferred distribution method.

Google’s official blog post on the matter notes that it sent over 300 takedown requests before opting for the lawsuit. The suit doesn’t seek financial compensation, but rather an order to stop the alleged fraudsters from setting up similar domains, particularly with US-based domain registrars. The company says that this outcome will “serve as a deterrent and provide a clear mechanism for preventing similar scams in the future.”

The lawsuit goes on to highlight how emerging technologies are ripe for this kind of anti-consumer weaponization. In this case, the alleged scammers said that Bard is a paid service that required a download. In reality, it’s a free web service.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-sues-scammers-that-allegedly-released-a-malware-filled-bard-knockoff-162222150.html?src=rss