VR

Virtual reality headsets have largely been split into two categories: the expensive gaming models and the inexpensive phone-based headsets. The latter are used as novelties for simple mobile gaming and, more often than not, as personal entertainment devices, enabling users to watch a movie in their own private VR theater. This niche use for the devices resulted in a number of video services adding VR headset support to their apps, but things have changed for Google's Daydream model.

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Despite and in spite of its struggles in the smartphone market, HTC has found some light at the end of its dark tunnel thanks to its Vive VR reality platform. It rivals Oculus in the tight VR market and is now trying to gain a lead with the new Cosmos system. Instead of aiming for a standalone headset like the previous Vive Focus, HTC is now envisioning a future-proof platform thanks to a modular system that HTC promises will grow with the user.

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The game goes by the name "Acron: Attack of the Squirrels!" and it ties together VR gameplay (for one player) with smartphone gameplay (for 2+ other players). The game puts the VR player in the role of the evil tree, while the 2-or-more other players are squirrels. The tree attacks the squirrels.

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For the remainder of the year, British Airways has announced that it will test the availability of virtual reality headsets for passengers on flights from London's Heathrow airport to New York's JFK airport. These headsets will offer users access to select travel shows, movies, and documentaries in 2D, 3D, and 360-degree formats.

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The Galaxy Note 10 is a fine smartphone and example of innovation in the smartphone market. It is, however, also arguably one of Samsung most highly-debated models in recent memory. Perhaps in an effort to further distance it from the Galaxy S line, Samsung has changed quite a lot in the Galaxy Note 10. That, unfortunately, has forced it to drop things like the headphone jack and, something Samsung left out from the press, support for its own Gear VR platform.

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Today we're running down the just-released details of Oculus Connect 6. This event will take place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, California. Dates for Oculus Connect 6 are September 25 and 26, 2019. The event promises to be a major moment in the history of both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality with keynotes, presentations, and talks with big names like John Carmack and Respawn Entertainment. Given the latest notes from Carmack, this event promises to be a shock to the senses.

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Virtual reality is great for videos, games, and new experiences but if the technology is to be practical for the next wave of computing, platforms need to offer applications that let users also be productive. While office suites might be out of the question, web browsing is fortunately in a position to bridge the gap between entertainment and productivity. And fortunately for users of the new Oculus Quest, Mozilla just made Firefox Reality available for them.

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Virtual reality news has more or less quieted down over the past months but that doesn't mean it's far from gone. While its application in other industries have yet to be realized, it continues to grow, albeit slowly, in its native entertainment market. In fact, Amazon has finally made its long-expected foray into VR and it's coming to Oculus' mobile platforms, including the Gear VR.

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While smartphone makers and network carriers are all hyping 5G, some of those are also pushing for advancements in Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi 6 is the battle cry of that industry but it seems that some tech companies are rallying behind a subset of that new spectrum. They're calling it VLP 6GHz short for Very Low Power 6 GHz Wi-Fi and it could be the kind of wireless connection that portable devices and services will need to truly thrive.

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Holograms performing on stage in lieu of the unavailability of certain personalities isn't unheard of but, given the context, it isn't always considered appropriate either. That doesn't mean, however, that there isn't room for such holograms in the near future. Microsoft seems to have thought of a use case that takes advantage of its various technologies, like HoloLens and Azure, to create an exact replica of a live person, except that it speaks a different language from the original speaker.

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On July 5, a new massage center will open in Los Angeles, but it won't resemble the type of spas you're familiar with. Called Esqapes, the center will combine automated massaging technology with virtual reality to transport customers into a different, more relaxing environment. The company calls this an 'immersive relaxation experience,' one that is like 'a mini vacation' without the high cost.

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This week the folks at HTC revealed more details on the release model for HTC Vive Cosmos, their newest VR headset. This machine has a "flip-up halo design" so users can pop in and out of VR without removing the entire unit. It's also got a new vented front design that "keeps air flowing so users can stay in VR for longer without fatigue and stay cooler."

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