Facebook Acquires Computer Vision Startup Scape Technologies
According to regulatory filings uncovered by Tech Crunch, Facebook has acquired Scape Technologies, a London-based computer vision startup.
Valve Plans to Release “SteamVR 2.0” This Year
Heading toward the release of Half-Life: Alyx in March, Valve has been steadily improving its SteamVR software to be more stable and easier to use. Now the company is teasing the forthcoming release of “SteamVR 2.0” sometime this year.
Mother Meets Recreation of Her Deceased Child in VR
South Korean TV broadcaster MBC recently aired a Korean language documentary that centers on a family’s loss of their young daughter, seven-year-old Nayeon. Using the power of photogrammetry, motion capture, and virtual reality, the team recreated Nayeon for one last goodbye with the family’s mother, Ji-sung.
Facebook Expects Coronavirus Will Have “additional impact” on Oculus Quest Availability
After being backordered by weeks in many regions, Oculus Quest is now “unavailable” from Oculus in 17 out of 23 regions where the unit is sold, including the United States, Canada, and much of Europe. Facebook says the Coronavirus outbreak is to blame.
‘Ven VR Adventure’ is an Adorable Platformer Coming to SteamVR, Rift & PSVR
Ven VR Adventure is an upcoming title from Poland-based indie studio Monologic Games. Built from the ground-up for VR, the plucky little platformer seems to be channeling some of its contemporaries such as Lucky’s Tale (2016), Moss (2018), and Astro Bot Rescue Mission (2018).
This WebXR App Helps You Visualize the Global Infection Rate of Coronavirus
Coronavirus, otherwise known as the 2019 novel coronavirus, is primarily affecting China. While it’s mostly been relegated to that country due to stringent quarantines and travel restrictions mandated by the Chinese government, you’ve probably heard that it’s also landed in several other countries too, albeit in fewer numbers. If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around the virus’ spread, this WebXR app may bring some much-needed insight.
Making ‘The Remedy’ – How A Veteran Illustrator Made one of VR’s Best Short Films With ‘Quill’
Perhaps no project to date shows the potential of Quill—Oculus’ VR illustration and animation tool—quite like The Remedy. Created by veteran animator Daniel Martin Peixe, The Remedy is a roughly 10 minute long story which establishes a very effective comic book-like experience by stringing together various Quill scenes to tell a complete narrative. Peixie shared with us a glimpse inside of the production process which brought the film to life.
LYNX Founder Details Headset’s Unique Optics, Pre-orders Available Now
Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 Now Available for Direct Developer Purchase
Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, the company’s most recent smartglasses (or rather smartglass), was only available to partner companies when it launched in May 2019. Now Google is allowing its third-party hardware vendors to sell the headset direct to developers.
Sony to Close First-party Manchester Studio Making ‘AAA’ PSVR Games
Sony is closing its Manchester, UK-based studio, the very same that was opened in 2015 to produce ‘AAA’ PSVR exclusives.
VR Headset Growth on Steam Takes Its Biggest Leap Yet, Led by Rift S
It appears that the 2019 holiday shopping season may have been the best ever for PC VR headsets. The latest data released this week from Valve shows VR on Steam making its single biggest leap yet, on a path toward an estimated 2 million monthly-connected headsets.
Samsung XR and EarthX Debut Environmentally-focused 360 Short Films
Samsung and EarthX have debuted a dozen immersive short films on the Samsung XR video platform from environmentally-focused filmmakers, with more to come.
‘Firewall Zero Hour’ Comes to PS Plus Members for Free Starting Today, ‘Black Dawn’ Update Now Live
Firewall Zero Hour (2018), the tactical team shooter for PSVR, is headed to PS Plus members for free starting today, February 4th.
Canon Unveils Enterprise-focused AR Headset ‘MREAL Display MD-20’
Japanese tech giant Canon today unveiled its next enterprise-focused AR headset which aims to replace its MREAL Display MD-10, which the company launched in Japan in mid-2016 for the astounding price tag of ¥9 million (~$82,300).
