Oculus Venues May Be The Most Authentic Way To Watch The NBA This Season

After going on hiatus earlier this year, the NBA 2019-2020 season is back in full swing now. But with no fans in attendance at the matches, watching in Oculus Venues is now the closest experience fans can get to watching a NBA game in-person.

A selection of NBA games have been available to view live in Oculus Venues for several seasons now, however this season has been a bit different. No games have been played since March, due to a season suspension in response to COVID-19. Now, the NBA has resumed play in a closed hub at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, but things look a bit different than they did before.

Perhaps the biggest change is the lack of a physical audience — with no fans present at any of the matches for safety reasons, it turns out that Oculus Venues might be the best way to watch the matches with a live crowd right now. The experience will let you watch the match in VR in arena-like seating and interact with other users sitting around you. You can jeer and cheer the players with random strangers sitting around you, just like real life.

That being said, the NBA broadcast in Venues is being handled by a different company than it was pre-season suspension. Traditionally, VR broadcasts of NBA games were handled by NextVR, both for their own app and for the select games available in Venues. However, NextVR was acquired by Apple earlier this year, and so the rights to the NBA broadcast in Venues have been taken over by Yahoo Sports and its sister production company RYOT.

Not all games are available in Venues, but there’s almost one match available each day in Venues from now until August 12. You can check out the full schedule of NBA games broadcast in Oculus Venues here.

The post Oculus Venues May Be The Most Authentic Way To Watch The NBA This Season appeared first on UploadVR.

NextVR’s Acquisition by Apple Confirmed

NextVR header

Last month reports circulated that Apple was in the process of purchasing virtual reality (VR) content broadcaster NextVR. That’s now been confirmed with the company closing down its website.

NextVR

The acquisition has been confirmed by Bloomberg, but no purchase price has been confirmed as Apple tends not to discuss those details. It’s been separately reported that the value is around $100 million USD.

The NextVR website only contains a statement saying: “NextVR is heading in a new direction. Thank you to our partners and fans around the world for the role you played in building this awesome platform for sports, music and entertainment experiences in Virtual Reality.”

NextVR was most well known for its immersive sports broadcasts, teaming up with the likes of the NBA, NHL, Fox Sports and the International Champions Cup, as well as live music and other events. These would allow viewers to watch 360-degree video usually from prime angles such as courtside seats on a variety of VR headsets. What’s immediately noticeable is the fact that the NextVR app is nowhere to be found, disappearing from the Oculus Store and Steam.

NextVR

Quite where this new direction will head is unknown as NextVR was a specialist company, but the acquisition does highlight Apple’s continued interest in the VR space. The tech giant also has a strong focus in augmented reality (AR), so perhaps live events taking place on your table may be a possibility.

Crunchbase details how NextVR previously secured $115.5 million investment across three funding rounds, the last one in 2016. In 2019 a Series C round failed which led to a 40 percent reduction in staff.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of NextVR now that Apple has secured its future, reporting back with the latest updates.

Report: Apple Acquires 3D VR Streaming Company NextVR

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple acquired the 3D VR streaming company NextVR.

NextVR is a VR startup that specializes in capturing real world events and presenting them in virtual reality. Its content is available through its own NextVR app on a number of headsets, along with occasional appearances on other platforms such as Oculus Venues.

The content produced by NextVR features some of the best quality captures in the industry. The real world events, which range from live music to sports matches, are recorded in stereoscopic 3D in a high resolution that produces a great level of detail and immersion in the end product. One of NextVR’s most high-profile offerings was an ongoing partnership with the NBA that ran for multiple years, allowing users to watch a live match courtside in 3D or watch highlights or previous matches from multiple angles.

The company previously went through significant layoffs in early 2019. NextVR CEO David Cole stated to UploadVR that they had let go of “a number of valuable employees” but the layoffs were a “necessary measure to stay in a position to take advantage of the market at the size where it is now.”

According to Bloomberg, Apple confirmed that it had acquired NextVR but gave no further details or explanations. The NextVR website has also been stripped back to just a single message thanking fans who supported them and stating that the company is “heading in a new direction.”

We’ll be curious to see if any of NextVR’s streaming and capture tech ever shows up in future Apple products.

The post Report: Apple Acquires 3D VR Streaming Company NextVR appeared first on UploadVR.

Apple Confirms Acquisition of VR Live Streaming Company NextVR

NextVR, the live event broadcasting platform for VR headsets, has been acquired by Apple in what was reportedly a $100 million purchase.

Update (March 15th, 2020): For the first time since reports broke back in April, Apple has confirmed that it was the buyer of the VR live streaming company NextVR, Bloomberg reports. Apple did not confirm the price of the acquisition, but earlier reports suggested $100 million.

This week NextVR’s website was stripped down leaving only a short message in its wake: “NextVR is Heading in a New Direction. Thank you to our partners and fans around the world for the role you played in building this awesome platform for sports, music and entertainment experiences in Virtual Reality.”

Original Article (April 6th, 2020): Founded in 2009, the Orange County-based startup broadcasts stereoscopic video of live sports and music to a wide swath of VR headsets, including Oculus Go, Oculus Quest, PSVR, and PC VR headsets such as HTC Vive and Oculus Rift S. Its unique selling proposition has always been its ability to let fans get close to the action in a way traditional monoscopic livestreams simply can’t, i.e. by letting VR users watch live events from the best seat in the house.

The company has come a long ways since it initially launched the platform on Samsung Gear VR in 2015, amassing over 40 patents and strategic broadcasting partnerships with the likes of the NBA, NHL, WWE, FOX Sports, Live Nation, and the International Champions Cup, and significantly upping its video quality in the process. The company has also previously sets its sights on six degrees of freedom-enabled volumetric video, higher resolution output, and augmented reality support.

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Apple AR Headset FOV, Codename, and Stereoscopic Rendering Mode Reportedly Found in iOS 13.1

According to CrunchBase, the company’s total funding comes to $115.5 million, with its latest investment, a Series B round amounting to $80 million, arriving in August 2016.

The acquisition is said to follow the company’s failure to secure a Series C round in early 2019, which coincided with a layoff of 40% of its staff.

The post Apple Confirms Acquisition of VR Live Streaming Company NextVR appeared first on Road to VR.

The VR Job Hub: NextVR, Distruptive Games, Apple

It may be getting cold and dark here in the UK but over in California it always seems to be sunny. And that’s where we’re heading for this weeks’ VR Job Hub, with myriad delights on offer for those keen on working in the virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) industries.

Location Company Role Link
Newport Beach, CA NextVR VR Graphic Designer Click Here to Apply
Newport Beach, CA NextVR Linux/Network/Broadcast Field Engineer Click Here to Apply
Newport Beach, CA NextVR Software Engineer/Backend API Developer Click Here to Apply
Newport Beach, CA NextVR Product Marketing Manager Click Here to Apply
Berkeley, CA Disruptive Games Engine Programmer Click Here to Apply
Berkeley, CA Disruptive Games Online Programmer Click Here to Apply
Berkeley, CA Disruptive Games VFX Artist Click Here to Apply
Santa Clara Valley, CA Apple AR Frameworks Software Engineer Click Here to Apply
Santa Clara Valley, CA Apple Technical Artist, AR Applications Click Here to Apply
Santa Clara Valley, CA Apple Senior AR/VR Applications Engineer Click Here to Apply
Paris, France Apple AR/VR Graphics Engineer Click Here to Apply
Santa Clara Valley, CA Apple Accessibility Engineer Click Here to Apply
Santa Clara Valley, CA Apple Product Marketing Manager, AR Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

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 Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

NextVR and NBA Continue League Pass Collaboration Revealing 2019-20 Schedule

Immersive streaming service for live events NextVR has collaborated with the NBA for a number of years, offering NBA League Pass holders the chance to watch games in virtual reality (VR). Today, NBA Digital – co-managed by the NBA and Turner Sports – and NextVR have announced the live VR game schedule for the 2019-20 regular season.

NextVR 2019 - 2020 NBA Schedule

Available to NBA League Pass subscribers within the NextVR app for most headsets (Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, Windows Mixed Reality, PlayStation VR, Oculus Go, HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest) things kick off with the New Orleans Pelicans vs. the Houston Rockets on 26th October.

As detailed above, the schedule will feature a game each week throughout the season. For those in the US, the NBA League Pass will be viewable via social app Oculus Venues allowing fans to watch games with friends as well as thousands of others.

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with the NBA as we continue to evolve our VR broadcast to provide the highest fidelity, most immersive NBA experience in VR,” said David Cole, NextVR co-founder and CEO in a statement. “This season comes on the heels of our recent launch on Oculus Quest.  By capitalizing on new VR headsets with next-generation optics and highly optimized architecture, we’ll be able to deliver higher-fidelity NBA VR than ever before.”

NextVR

“NextVR will continue to provide a unique courtside experience,” said Mike Chioditti, NBA Senior Director, New Media Distribution. “We’re also excited to partner with Oculus again to deliver a communal experience for fans to enjoy NBA basketball in VR.”

The NBA League Pass is available in three subscriptions depending on how much you love basketball. The top annual package comes in at $249.99 USD, offering games from all the teams, commercial free. Or if you don’t mind commercials then save some cash and buy the All Teams package for $199.99. For those only interested in watching their team then the One Team package at $119.99 is the smart choice.

The NextVR app is free to download for the aforementioned VR headsets. For further updates on NextVR content keep reading VRFocus.

NextVR Brings Its Live Streamed Events to Oculus Quest

NextVR, the VR livestreaming event app, is now available on Oculus Quest for free, which is said to come alongside a new technology that promises clearer and sharper video rendering.

The studio calls the new rendering technology ‘PAVE’, which is said to enable new features like enhanced in-experience graphic overlays (e.g. stats, instant replays) and forthcoming multi-user interactions such as multi-user game trivia during timeouts.

Previously, NextVR content was only available on Quest via the Oculus Venues app, which provides communal viewing of select real-time live events. In contrast, the NextVR app is a single-user experience that also provides replays and extra content too.

“NextVR is pairing our newest rendering technology with Oculus Quest to provide an outstanding fan experience.” said David Cole, NextVR co-founder & CEO, “We’re launching with a collection of experiences that best demonstrate the capabilities of our technology including a show this September 10th hosted by Pete Davidson recorded live at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.”

SEE ALSO
Oculus Quest Content Library Tops 100 Games & Apps

In addition to Quest support, the studio is also adding an exclusive ‘Best on Quest’ channel with a curated group of “new and optimized experiences,” among which is the NBA Finals Game Six Highlights with access to the Toronto Raptors locker room celebration, NHRA Drag Racing, Day to Night Timelapse and select concerts.

NextVR’s supported platforms now include Oculus Quest, Samsung Gear VR, PSVR, Google Daydream, Windows VR headsets, Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Valve Index.

Check out the schedule below for NextVR’s 30 Days of LIVE Events:

  • Sunday, 9/1 | shallou in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Monday, 9/2 | Wood & Wire in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Tuesday, 9/3 | Erika Wennerstrom in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Wednesday, 9/4 | UCB: Comedy and Magic | 6pm PT
  • Thursday, 9/5 | Live From Gotham Comedy Club | 6pm PT
  • Friday, 9/6 | SoFar Sounds | 6pm PT
  • Saturday, 9/7 | HIRIE in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Sunday, 9/8 | jackLNDN in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Monday, 9/9 | UCB: Big Grande | 6pm PT
  • Tuesday, 9/10 | Gotham Comedy Club Featuring Pete Davidson | 7pm PT*- *Exclusively on Oculus Quest, Go and Gear VR
  • Wednesday, 9/11 | Batsu! | 6pm PT
  • Thursday, 9/12 | Live from Gotham Comedy Club | 6pm PT
  • Friday, 9/13 | UCB: Mystery on Fyre Island | 6pm PT
  • Saturday, 9/14 | UCB: Squadron | 6pm PT
  • Sunday, 9/15 | Paranormal Evidence: Pennhurst Asylum | 6pm PT
  • Monday, 9/16 | Live Music Now: Preservation Hall | 6pm PT
  • Tuesday, 9/17 | Live Music Now: Preservation Hall | 6pm PT
  • Wednesday, 9/18 | Batsu! | 6pm PT
  • Thursday, 9/19 | Live from Gotham Comedy Club | 6pm PT
  • Friday, 9/20 | SoFar Sounds | 6pm PT
  • Saturday, 9/21 | World of Dance: Dallas | 6pm PT
  • Sunday, 9/22 | Paranormal Evidence: Rolling Hills Asylum | 6pm PT
  • Monday, 9/23 | RJD2 in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Tuesday, 9/24 | Sound Cipher | 6pm PT
  • Wednesday, 9/25 | BrewHaha Comedy | 6pm PT
  • Thursday, 9/26 | Live From Gotham Comedy Club | 6pm PT
  • Friday, 9/27 | Watsky in Concert | 6pm PT
  • Saturday, 9/28 | Best of NHRA | 6pm PT
  • Sunday, 9/29 | Paranormal Evidence: Missouri State Penitentiary | 6pm PT
  • Monday, 9/30 | Best of NBA Finals | 6pm PT

Keep an eye on more scheduled events by heading to the NextVR website.

The post NextVR Brings Its Live Streamed Events to Oculus Quest appeared first on Road to VR.

NextVR to Offer Free on-demand VR Game Highlights of the 2019 NBA Finals

As part of its yearly broadcast schedule, virtual reality (VR) platform NextVR has held a longstanding partnership with the NBA to showcase highlights of games via its app. As official VR partner of the NBA, NextVR will be able to offer basketball fans free on-demand highlights of the 2019 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV featuring the Toronto Raptors vs. the Golden State Warriors.

NextVR

Via the NextVR app fans will be able to access highlights in the NBA Finals channel, following each game, being able to go ringside and enjoy the action first hand.

“NBA Finals highlights are among NextVR’s most popular sports experiences, year after year. We are fired up to provide fans with their favourite experience for the third year in a row,” said Danny Keens, Vice President of Content at NextVR in a statement. “This year with NBA Finals highlights centred on a unique viewpoint, from the stanchion, NextVR is putting fans closer to NBA Finals action than ever before.”

“The NBA Finals is the most anticipated event of our season, and we are excited to once again partner with NextVR to deliver innovative VR highlights following each game,” said Jeff Marsilio, NBA Senior Vice President, New Media Distribution. “NBA fans will have the opportunity to experience the Finals in a unique and immersive way.”

NextVR

As well as the highlights, viewers can continue to experience NBA feature content available via the NBA League Pass channel.

The NextVR app is now more widely available than ever. Originally a mobile app for headsets like Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream, NextVR brought support to Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, HTC VIVE Pro, HTC Vive Focus, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality. And to help with distribution, the app arrived on Steam earlier this year.

NextVR isn’t just about basketball either. The VR broadcaster puts you up front for WWE fights, NHL games and football matches, as well as concerts, and stand-up comedy gigs. As the company expands its VR content roster, VRFocus will bring you all the latest news and updates so you know what and when to watch.

NextVR and Qualcomm to Demo 5G 6DoF VR Streaming at MWC19

Love it, hate it, understand it or don’t, VRFocus is talking about the next step in wireless communication, 5G. You may have only just got used to 4G, but its bigger brother has been in development for quite a while, and Mobile World Congress 2019 is overflowing with 5G talk. That’s because companies like Qualcomm have been making some serious investments in the technology, the Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform being the big reveal today. Also getting in on the action is immersive sports and entertainment broadcaster NextVR, announced broad support for the emerging 5G ecosystem and partnering with Qualcomm.

NextVR

For the event in Spain, NextVR will be demonstrating a new stereoscopic, ultra-high resolution, video experience called  Fearless on Qualcomm’s booth. Fearless is designed to play on a 5G enabled handset powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform and features six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) streaming.

The video follows three professional cliff divers as they jump from an 85 feet high cliff near Koko Head on Oahu island, Hawaii. Viewers will be able to move about within the experience, with the ability to step to the edge of the cliff face and look down at the ocean below.

“The Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform with 5G will enable XR viewers to transform how the world connects and communicates,” said Patrick Costello, Senior Director, Business Development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc in a statement. “By leveraging 5G to offer premium immersive experiences, NextVR is evolving their content platform to deliver realistic immersive experiences for consumers with XR viewers.”

Qualcomm

“NextVR is completely committed to supporting 5G and the new product category of AR and VR devices known as XR viewers. The increased resolution, high bandwidth, and streamlined form-factor of XR viewers connected to 5G handsets allow us to deliver an ultra-realistic immersive experience,” said David Cole, NextVR CEO.

In addition to Fearless, NextVR will demonstrate a prototype of its new augmented reality (AR) portal on the nReal Light, a pair of ready-to-wear mixed reality (MR) glasses. Whilst being able to see the show floor, guests will also see a stereoscopic portal in front of them which opens into content experiences (e.g. a basketball court or concert venue). For further updates about what NextVR is up to, keep reading VRFocus.

NextVR: VR-Livestreaming-App auf SteamVR veröffentlicht

Nach langem Warten ist es nun offiziell: NextVR hat den offiziellen Sprung auf SteamVR gemacht, um die Reichweite des VR-Streaming-Angebots zu erweitern. Ab sofort ist die VR-App kostenlos auf der Spieleplattform für Oculus Rift, HTC Vive und Windows-VR-Brillen erhältlich.

NextVR – VR-Livestreaming-App auf SteamVR veröffentlicht

Der VR-Streaming-Anbieter NextVR bietet hochwertige VR-Streams zu zahlreichen Sport-, Musik- und Entertainment-Veranstaltungen. So stehen unter anderem Fußballspiele, Wrestling-Matches der WWE, Football-Matches aus der NFL oder Basketballspiele aus der NBA bereit. Erst kürzlich wurde das Sportportfolio um Eishockey-Highlights der NHL erweitert.

Neben Sportübertragungen bietet die App zudem Unterhaltungsangebote wie Serien und Comedy-Shows und auch Freunde elektronischer Musik werden in der Videoauswahl fündig.

Nach langer Ankündigung ist die Streaming-App nun dank einer Partnerschaft mit Valve offiziell auf Steam verfügbar. Dadurch erhalten Vive-Nutzer ohne Viveport-Abo ab sofort Zugang zur immersiven Videoplattform.

So beschreibt David Cole, CEO von NextVR, die Bereitstellung auf Steam als wichtigen Schritt zur Erweiterung der Reichweite der App:

NextVR ist bestrebt, ein möglichst breites Publikum anzusprechen, damit diese unsere Inhalte in der Virtual Reality erleben können. Steam ist eine äußerst wichtige Plattform, um aktive VR-Nutzer zu erreichen. Deshalb freuen wir uns sehr darüber, unsere unvergleichlichen Live-Sport- und Unterhaltungserlebnisse für Steam-Nutzer bereitzustellen.”

NextVR ist kostenlos für Oculus Rift, HTC Vive und Windows-VR-Brillen auf Steam erhältlich. Eine Anleitung für die Nutzung auf allen anderen gängigen VR-Brillen findet man auf der offiziellen Webseite des Streaming-Portals.

(Quellen: NextVR | Road to VR)

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