virtual reality

Apple could be close to buying a virtual reality company focused on streaming immersive sports, music, and entertainment experiences, as the Cupertino firm readies its big tech and content push for VR and AR. Though Apple currently doesn't have a virtual reality hardware product of its own, platforms like ARKit and recent devices like the LIDAR camera on the new iPad Pro have made it clear that the augmented reality is high on its agenda.

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If you're growing tired of being stuck at home and looking for a new experience, a YouTube channel called 'Virtual Disney World' (which isn't affiliated with Disney despite its name) has aggregated a huge playlist of 360-degree videos taken on popular theme park rides around the world. Anyone who owns a VR headset -- even something as simple as a cardboard holder for a smartphone -- can enjoy the videos.

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Google started the idea of using a smartphone as the heart and soul of a VR headset and others immediately jumped on the prospect of an affordable VR system for the masses. That included Samsung who worked with the makers of the Oculus Rift to launch the Gear VR for is high-end flagships. That phase of the VR market, however, was rather short-lived and Samsung slowly "forgot" to update its headsets to be compatible with its latest phones. Now Oculus itself is putting some nails in the Gear VR coffin by pulling out active support for the apps that make it barely usable.

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There's a new VR headset in town - and it might arrive right on time. Here in the late Winter of 2020, we're all stuck inside on quarantine, avoiding COVID-19, and it might just be the perfect time for VR to catch hold of the masses. Not that VR device makers have been trying to make that happen for half a decade or anything... but still. Per the sneaky release today, this is the new standard for VR.

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Half-Life: Alyx is not Half-Life 3, but it is a new Half-Life game. It is a new game from Valve, and it is out and available to play today. Users will find the game released as of the posting of this article. In other words - if you're reading this, there's a brand new Half-Life game available to play via Steam right this minute.

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Despite our very global world, it's sometimes too easy to take for granted that time isn't the same across the world. When companies announce dates, they often neglect to add additional information like timezones and presume everyone is on the same page as them. Worse, they don't even mention what time something may take place, which is especially true for product launches. Fortunately, Valve is giving everyone detailed information so they can prepare their alarms and the VR headsets, presuming they already have one.

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In an announcement today, Facebook's VR company Oculus revealed plans to release an updated user interface for its Oculus Quest headset. Oculus calls this a 'major update' to its system, one that will bring a more 'flexible and social' experience for users. Headset owners can expect multi-window support for 2D applications, a redesigned universal menu, and more.

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Although Valve has actually been involved in the virtual reality market for a long time, it has mostly been via its collaboration with HTC's VIVE system. Last year it finally got its hands dirty with the Index, which may be one of the more expensive PC VR systems aimed at regular consumers. Despite the initially slow sales, the Index quickly sold off last January thanks to the Half-Life: Alyx announcement. The good news is that it's coming back next week. The bad news is that it probably won't last long.

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Sanzaru Games, a California-based video game development company, has been acquired by Facebook, the company announced on Wednesday. The studio has produced a number of games over the past decade, the most recent examples including Spyro 3 Reignited and Asgard's Wrath. The studio will be tasked with developing new games for Facebook's Oculus VR gaming platform.

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HTC may be struggling in its mobile business but, at least for now, it is still one of the leaders in the virtual reality market. Next to or even co-equal with pioneer Oculus, the HTC VIVE continues to be a household name in that market and the Taiwanese company seems pretty intent on keeping it that way. Almost mirroring its old strategy with smartphones, HTC is launching more and more VR headsets, starting with the Cosmos Elite today.

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As the release of Half-Life: Alyx quickly approaches, Valve has been having a difficult time keeping the Index VR headset in stock. The Index has been consistently sold out in many regions around the world, and unfortunately, it doesn't look like things are going to get much better. While Valve does plan to restock the Index before the release of Half-Life: Alyx next month, it's definitely tempering expectations when it comes to how many headsets it'll have on hand to sell.

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The future is slightly cooler than the present, according to a pair of prototype devices revealed today by HTC. This is HTC Project Proton, a prototype (a pair of prototypes) for "XR glasses-style" devices "from HTC Vive." Specs are forthcoming, but we've got some imagery of both different sorts of device. These prototypes were made specifically to gather public opinion well in advance of production.

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