virtual reality - SlashGear

Blade Runner 2049 Replicant Pursuit – launching at SDCC

JC Torres | Jul 20, 2017

Almost every other movie these days has a virtual reality tie in. It’s almost unavoidable considering how popular VR is. That’s especially true if the film in question is fantasy or, better yet, sci-fi. With the San Diego Comic Con kicking into full gear this week, there is no better time to promote such virtual reality experiences. Blade Runner 2049, the sequel to a sci-fi cult classic, is no different, and Oculus is only too happy to bring Gear VR owners an appetizer of what’s to come later this year.

This incredible VR system doesn’t require a headset

Brittany A. Roston | Jul 18, 2017

A new type of virtual reality experience doesn't require users to wear a VR headset. The system was created by researchers in Japan who replaced the headset with a large semi-spherical display, one that is coupled with a mechanical chair that physically moves the viewer in sync with the imagery. The technology has been demonstrated with a new '8K:VR Ride' video that is something like a theme park ride.

Powers United VR game brings the world of Marvel to Oculus Rift

Adam Westlake | Jul 16, 2017

Along with the plethora of other announcements taking place at Disney's D23 Expo this weekend, there was some exciting Marvel news to be revealed. It turns out that Star Wars isn't the only property that Disney is betting on for VR & AR experiences, as the game Powers United VR will let players take on the role of their favorite Marvel superhero.

Oculus Rift gets its 2nd permanent price drop this year

Eric Abent | Jul 14, 2017

It appears that Oculus really wants to take the fight to HTC VIVE. The Oculus Rift has been on sale in a bundle with its Touch controllers for a few days now, dropping the package's price to $399 and severely undercutting the cost of a VIVE headset. Today, Oculus announced that the Rift will be getting a permanent price cut once the Summer of Rift sale wraps up.

A new $200 Oculus headset could make VR mainstream

Eric Abent | Jul 13, 2017

When it comes to VR, customers have options on both the high-end and the low-end, but nothing that's firmly in the mid-range. If you want an introduction to virtual reality, Samsung's Gear VR makes a good jumping off point, as all you need is a Samsung phone to make it work. On the other side of the coin, HTC and Oculus have the high-end on lock down with headsets that cost hundreds of dollars and require a beefy PC to work. What about everyone else who may want a reasonably powerful headset that doesn't require a PC? Oculus may be gearing up to unveil a headset aimed at that very segment.

Official Mario Kart VR will crush your dreams: here’s why

Eric Abent | Jul 13, 2017

Nintendo has certainly flirted with the idea of VR in the past, but once the Switch arrived on the scene, hopes of Nintendo pursuing console-based virtual reality were dashed. Unlike the PlayStation 4, the Switch doesn't really lend itself well to virtual reality. That doesn't mean that Nintendo is opposed to VR, it just needs to find the right platform for it first.

Dunkirk VR experience takes fans into the movie action

Brittany A. Roston | Jul 10, 2017

On July 21, Christopher Nolan's latest movie, Dunkirk, will arrive in theaters for everyone to enjoy. Ahead of that, though, is a new special experience for anyone who has a virtual reality headset: Save Every Breath: The Dunkirk VR Experience. The VR video is only four-and-a-half minutes long, but it is intense, putting viewers under the water while muffled gunshots ring out and bullets penetrate the water.

Oculus Rift and Touch bundle gets a big discount in summer sale

Eric Abent | Jul 10, 2017

It's proving to be a pretty excellent summer for VR. Not only did we see a rather tempting discount on the HTC VIVE for the Steam Summer Sale, but it wasn't long before Best Buy was offering a deal of its own on the Oculus Rift. Now Oculus is getting in on the action directly, delivering the best deal we've seen thus far as part of its "Summer of Rift" promotion.

X Games will have its first livestreamed VR events next week

Brittany A. Roston | Jul 7, 2017

ESPN has announced that for the first time ever, the X Games will have events livestreamed on VR, something that will be done in collaboration with Samsung. The livestreaming VR events will be available only on the Gear VR platform, and they'll take place for the inaugural X Games in Minneapolis. Gear VR users in 48 countries will have access to the livestreamed VR events, which will include skateboarding and BMX.

Google Blocks app brings DIY OBJ to all

Chris Burns | Jul 6, 2017

This week the folks at Google have created a new system for digital object creation called Blocks. This Google Blocks system allows the user to span the virtual universe with their creations in a way never before possible - at least not with this user interface. And before you ask, no, it's not just a new name for Minecraft - it's a whole different ballgame.

Nokia and Xiaomi join forces: global mobile incoming

Chris Burns | Jul 5, 2017

Two power teams of mobile device creators have joined forces this week: Xiaomi and Nokia. Nokia is a legendary mobile phone maker that's gone through some unprecedented changes over the last few years. Xiaomi is still a relative up-and-comer in the business, based in China and set to expand across the whole earth with their high-quality low-cost devices.

Samsung’s standalone VR headset just got revealed

Brittany A. Roston | Jul 3, 2017

Samsung has long offered a VR headset, but one that utilizes a smartphone as its 'brain' and display, requiring the user to insert their handset and then remove it after they're finished. While the Gear VR is excellent at what it does, there are many downsides to this kind of headset, ones that make the PS VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive more attractive in certain circumstances. The Korean company was rumored earlier this year to be working on its own standalone headset, and now we have all the details.