Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation
What Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality developers are talking about
Google's Project Stream wants to bring console gaming directly to your Chrome browser by streaming it over the internet. The beta holds much promise but also has room for improvement.
The post Can Chrome replace your game console? Google’s Project Stream argues it can appeared first on Digital Trends.
Google’s Owlchemy Labs just revealed one of its experiments using ARCore on a phone to offer a spectator view into the upcoming game Vacation Simulator.
We’ve just come from Oculus Connect 5 where Facebook’s teams demonstrated a series of experiments that together included full body tracking, arena-scale movement freedom and mixed reality which incorporates real objects into the virtual world. In addition, they had an iPad set up which could look into the virtual world shared by the six players in VR.
Owlchemy’s experiment seems to encapsulate the same basic premise as the iPad portion of Facebook’s tech demonstration, but a blog post from Owlchemy also breaks down exactly how hard it will be to add this to VR systems in the near future. According to the post:
The feature adds quite a bit of performance overhead to the PC with additional rendering and video encoding. The mobile device is also heavily taxed by simultaneously running ARCore and decoding video. Additionally, latency is noticeable due to the encoding/decoding process and round-trip delay time. These are just a few of the challenges we’ve noted, but we think it’s just as important to share these findings as part of the experimentation process.
Owlchemy was purchased by Google last year but has stayed pretty independent as work continued on Vacation Simulator — its follow up building upon the “insanely reusable” pieces of Job Simulator. Their mobile spectator camera — while only a concept at this point — also shows some interesting ideas for interaction.
Not only can another player interact with someone in VR this way, but it’s also possible for the phone to be used to take a picture just like the real world. The PC sends the phone a high resolution selfie whenever you click the button to take the photo on the phone.
We’ve come a long way from mixed reality that Owlchemy helped pioneer in PC VR’s earlier days, but there’s no word yet on when this kind of feature might actually be available at home.
Tagged with: owlchemy labs
The post Google’s Owlchemy Labs Reveal ARCore Spectator Experiment appeared first on UploadVR.
An Easter egg was found on Google's website, allowing users to engage in a fun text adventure game without leaving their web browser. Join the adventure as you play as Google's logo looking for its lost letters.
The post Step back in time with Google’s secret text-adventure game appeared first on Digital Trends.
Google announced Project Stream, a game streaming service that allows you to play AAA games directly from your Chrome browser. The first game being offered during the technical test is Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
The post Google’s ‘Project Stream’ will let you play major games on the Chrome browser appeared first on Digital Trends.
As the cold wind continues to blow this Sunday it is time for another entry in The VR Job Hub. With plenty of exciting job listings to be found below across a wide range of disciplines working on immersive content at some exciting companies, there is sure to be something for everyone. This week there are openings at companies like Labrodex Studios, Lenovo, Mozilla, HP, and Google to name a few. So, what are you waiting for? Time to find your dream job.
Every weekend VRFocus gathers together a number open position from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe, to help make finding the ideal job easier. Below are a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on VR, AR and MR.
|
Location |
Company |
Role |
Link |
| Melville, NY, US | Labrodex Studios | Director of Business Development | |
|
Melville, NY, US |
Labrodex Studios | Senior Animator | |
|
Basingstoke, UK |
Lenovo |
AR/VR Technical Business Development Manager |
|
|
London, UK |
Mozilla |
Research Engineering Manager – MR Browsers |
|
|
Seattle, WA, US |
Amazon | Senior Graphics Engineer VR | |
|
Mountain View, CA, US |
Software Engineer, VR | ||
| Fort Collins, CO, US | HP | Virtual Reality Software and Solutions Team Lead & Manager | |
| Menlo Park, CA, US | Oculus VR | AR/VR Legal Program Manager | |
| San Francisco, CA, US | Accenture | Senior VR/AR Developer | |
| Liverpool, UK | LJMU | MR System Developer | |
| Brighton, UK | Make Real | Immersive Learning Designer | |
| Brighton, UK | Make Real | Internal R&D Developer |
As always, if there was nothing in this week’s feature that was a good fit for you, you can always look at the previous edition of The VR Job Hub.
As always, if you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to myself (keva@vrfocus.com) and also Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).
Check back with VRFocus next Sunday at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the industry.
Während wir alle gespannt auf die Oculus Connect 5 warten und auf neue Informationen zur Santa Cruz oder Rift 2 hoffen, veröffentlicht Google noch schnell eine großartige Neuigkeit. Wie das Unternehmen mitteilt, werden schon bald Entwickler-Kits für die Mirage Solo bereitstehen, welche die VR-Brille mit 6DOF-Controllern ausstatten soll. Das System beschränkt sich jedoch auf Daydream-Brillen, welche ihren Raum erkennen können (Daydream Standalone). Mit einer Smartphone-Lösung (Daydream View) lassen sich die Controller nicht verwenden.
Das vorgestellte System besteht aus einer zusätzlichen Platte für die Front, welche mit einem USB-C-Anschluss ausgestattet ist. Dieses Element wird für die Ortung der Controller verantwortlich sein und Google beschreibt die Erkennung als ein “einzigartiges optisches Tracking-Verfahren”, welches durch Machine Learning die Position und Orientierung der Controller exakt ermitteln können soll.
Die Controller sind mit einem Touchpad, einem Trigger, einem Grip-Button, einem App-Button und einem Button für das Menü (oder um die Orientierung zurückzusetzen) ausgestattet.
Sollte das Tracking sauber funktionieren, hat Google bereits einen Konkurrenten für die Oculus Santa Cruz in den Startlöchern bzw. schon auf dem Markt. Die Mirage Solo kann bei diversen Händlern bereits ab 399 Euro erworben werden und bis die Controller für Konsumenten bereitstehen, wird der Preis vermutlich noch fallen.
Die große Frage ist jedoch, ob die Controller vor der Markteinführung der Oculus Santa Cruz in die Hände der Enthusiasten gelangen werden, denn diese soll laut Gerüchten schon innerhalb der nächsten 6 Monate in den Läden stehen.
Entwickler, welche sich für das System interessieren, können sich jetzt bei Google registrieren.
Der Beitrag 6DOF Controller für Daydream vorgestellt zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!
It appears Google has made some serious headway on its low-cost, mobile inside out VR controller tracking standard first seen back in April. Today the company revealed they’ll be offering developer kits of a pair of new experimental Daydream with positional tracking (aka six degree of freedom, or 6DOF) controllers, which they say will allow devs to build such experiences for the Lenovo Mirage Solo.
The pair of controllers are optically tracked, and include a trigger, Daydream button, App button, grip buttons, and a touchpad with click ability.
Developers will require a Lenovo Mirage Solo, as the kit only includes two controllers and the purpose-built tracking faceplate that connects to the headset’s USB port.
Google is currently accepting applications for developer kits of the experimental Daydream 6DoF controllers, although only in the United States at this time.
Lenovo Mirage Solo, which launched back in May, already offers 6DOF optical tracking for its headset, while its native controller scheme is only a single 3DOF controller (rotation only)—presenting an unfortunate mismatch for users looking for greater VR immersion.
While not entirely out of the realm of possibility, it’s doubtful the company will sell these aftermarket 6DOF kits to the public, as it’s more likely points to company’s next generation of VR hardware yet to come. Google’s VR/AR team lead Clay Bavor previously stated at this year’s I/O dev conference that Lenovo Mirage Solo users shouldn’t expect 6DOF controllers for the headset, although he maintained that “directionally, I think that’s where the technology, the industry is going.”
As Oculus gears up to talk more about their 6DOF headset/controller hardware Project Santa Cruz, it’s clear Google wants a seat at the 6DOF table for what could be a new bar in standalone VR.
The post Google Reveals Experimental 6DOF Controllers for Lenovo Mirage Solo appeared first on Road to VR.
Google is making it easy to play ping pong whilst wearing the Lenovo Mirage Solo headset, whether you’re in VR or not.
Alongside today’s announcement of a pair of experimental six degrees of freedom (6DOF) controllers for the standalone Daydream headset, Google also introduced a new pass-through camera system that will be coming to developers soon. The feature uses the Solo’s built-in cameras to show the real world on your display, much like we’ve seen with smartphone-powered headsets such as Gear VR. Unlike Gear, though, Google is using Solo’s tracking features to create convincing depth perception, so you can see the world as it truly is.
But there’s another feature that’s being added on top of this; AR support. When it pass-through mode, users will be able to summon virtual images and project them in the real world, essentially making the Mirage Solo a Magic Leap or HoloLens. A similar feature was recently revealed for HTC’s new Vive Pro, too.
Finally, the company is now officially recognizing a feature we’ve long spoken about; Android app support. Users will soon be able to bring any app into the virtual world via a virtual screen. When the Solo released earlier this year this aspect was somewhat hidden within the kit’s UI, but it’s good to see it getting more official support now.
While Google says developers will be able to get their hands on these features soon, there’s no word on what a wider consumer rollout will look like. Will developers be able to make premium AR apps for sale on Mirage Solo, for example? Hopefully we’ll find out more at the company’s upcoming Made by Google event, which takes place early next month.
Tagged with: Lenovo Mirage Solo, Mirage Solo
The post Mirage Solo Is Getting Pass-Through Support With Depth Perception And AR appeared first on UploadVR.
Google revealed an experimental accessory for the Lenovo Mirage Solo which adds a pair of six degrees of freedom controllers to the standalone Daydream headset.
The faceplate straps to the front of Mirage Solo, which features a USB-C port on the side for powering an accessory. A Google blog post describes the way the faceplate communicates with the controllers as a “unique optical tracking system” which “uses machine learning and off-the-shelf parts to accurately estimate the 3D position and orientation of the controllers.”
Google is now accepting applications from developers for the controllers and a few creators have already gotten their hands on the kit. Several questions remain unanswered by Google representatives including how long it will take developers to receive kits, how many kits Google is making total, and whether key Google-owned apps like Tilt Brush and Job Simulator might make the jump to the Mirage Solo by way of this developer kit add-on.
The controllers include a touchpad with click button, trigger, grip, app button and dedicated Daydream button to access the main menu or to “recenter your view.” The faceplate emits infrared light in a pattern which allows the system to deduce the relative positions of the controllers. Google’s existing WorldSense tracking uses the outward-facing cameras already on the headset to figure out head position, so combining this information provides a completely standalone VR experience with full freedom for both head and hand movements.
The announcement from Google comes on the eve of the 5th Oculus Connect developer conference. The event in San Jose, California also marks five years since Facebook’s acquisition of the Oculus VR startup. Currently known by the code-name Santa Cruz, Facebook’s higher-end Oculus standalone VR headset could ship to consumers in early 2019 with a similar class of hand controller as compared with this new Mirage Solo accessory.
Facebook’s upcoming higher end standalone headset will also have 6dof hand controllers, no faceplate required.
While the controllers are coming to the Mirage Solo, don’t expect them to arrive on Google’s other Daydream headset, the smartphone-powered Daydream View. While the two devices share the same content, the latter doesn’t include any 6DOF tracking capabilities, though it is possible that Google is keeping an update saved for its Made by Google event early next month.
Lenovo’s Mirage Solo debuted earlier this year with hidden features — including the ability to run Android apps in a 2D mode — that suggested it could be turned into a surprisingly capable developer kit. The controllers will certainly be a dream come true for some developer sand the headset is also getting a “see through mode” which can even be used to prototype AR experiences by way of the headset’s outward-facing cameras.
We hope to get the chance to try this tracking system from Google sometime soon.
Tagged with: Lenovo Mirage Solo
The post Google Reveals Experimental 6DOF Controllers For Daydream, Dev Kits Incoming appeared first on UploadVR.
OnePlus and Google teamed up on a new puzzle game that exists in both the physical and digital worlds, and will lead to a winner getting the "ultimate gaming setup." The game comes a few months before the expected release of the OnePlus 6T.
The post OnePlus’ ‘Crackables’ includes puzzles in both the digital and physical worlds appeared first on Digital Trends.