Envelop VR want to pull your every day computing environment into the virtual realm as the company launch their first closed beta for what they describe as “an immersive computing platform that brings the best out of your PC while in Virtual Reality.”

envelop_logo_lg2Existing computing setups, one similar to that you may very well be reading this article on, are fundamentally limited by physicality – namely hardware. The numbers of applications you can view and interact with is limited by the size and number of screens you at your disposal.

Envelop VR is an “immersive computing platform” for Microsoft Windows that’s aiming to not only do away with those monitor limitations, bringing your desktop PC experience into an expansive realm (something apps like Virtual Desktop are already tackling), but also to enhance the functionality of those applications to make the most of VR via a “powerful SDK that will allow you to extend your games and applications into VR.”

Envelop VR which has, up until now, been running largely in stealth mode, is gearing up to unleash it’s new platform on the world as it gears up a closed beta program, for which you can apply right now.

That’s about all we can share though, as public information on precisely what the system looks like or how it works is somewhat limited. We’re left merely with a solitary image released to the company’s Facebook page which shows visualised windows, complete with oversized controls and, perhaps crucially, a real world view of a keyboard – handy for blind typing whilst immersed.

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Road to VR does have hands on the the Envelop VR closed beta however, so we’ll let you know it’s like think once reporting restrictions have been lifted.

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • Jon Dill

    You cannot do that level of detail with even a 4k screen. This demo is vapor for vultures!

    • Daniel Gochez

      I beg to differ, after aplying the 2x multiplyer to the vive I realized 4k will be good enough. At the current resolution it looks quite nice, of course the future will bring better lenses, foveted rendering and 4k and then it will look perfect.

  • Smokey_the_Bear

    sweet. Virtual desktop needs some competition. They currently have the best desktop VR experience on the market, which means they aren’t pushing hard on new updates that make it better, like Vive controller support. I look forward to trying out the official release of this.

  • VR Games For

    The problem I see here is that means that people will use it as an alternative to a regular screen, but I can’t see myself working with a screen so close to my eyes for a long period of time (health concerns).

  • I’m really excited about this sort of feature for VR, but headsets need higher resolution before this will be useful. As it stands, text is too hard to read.

    • Joe Bazaar

      Supersampling is your friend

      • Still not good enough. We’ve got to at least double the number of pixels visible to the user before desktop monitor replacement is satisfactory.

        • RavnosCC

          I’ve had a ton of luck setting super sampling to 2.5 on Vive, text is pretty damn sharp. But having to go back to 1.5 for “games” is no fun.

    • WyrdestGeek

      Yeah, I gotta agree with John.

      The resolution on consumer VR is fine when there’s lots of motion, but of you’re recreating the desktop experience, but in 3d and surrounding you, then you’re gonna need much higher resolution. Gotta get rid of the screendoor effect.

  • Konchu

    I think demand will push the tech, I don’t think screens are the biggest hurdle though I think input is. Getting great typing in VR is key this could be a simple as adding some Light house sensors to a keyboard and maybe capacitive keys so placement can be seen in VR perfect.