New Realities

When life gets boring, step into a digital wonderland with virtual reality!

What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality can be defined as the creation of a simulated environment with which users can interact and experience a feeling of being present in that simulation. Opinions differ on what virtual reality could be but the aptest definition could be the one from howstuffworks.com –

A true VR experience should include:
* Three-dimensional images that appear to be life-sized from the perspective of the user
* The ability to track a user’s motions, particula¬rly his head and eye movements, and correspondingly adjust the images on the user’s display to reflect the change in perspective

The primary aim of a virtual reality environment is to make you feel “immersed”, that is, you must feel part of the reality that is present in front of you. In such an experience you would experience a virtual breadth and depth of an environment. Imagine yourself sitting on your bed wearing a VR headset, I could program the headset to show you a blank white room with infinite space in it and you could walk “inside” the room with certain hand and leg movements! This is just a small possibility that isn’t entirely productive or meaningful. But Virtual Reality technology is exciting primarily since it is literally malleable. It can be applied to an array of possibilities simply because it involves the creation of a fictional interface.

Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is the probably the first “cool” virtual reality headset. Funded via Kickstarter and then snapped by Facebook for $2 million, Oculus Rift has the first mover’s advantage in this market. The Oculus Rift plugs into your computers USB and DVI ports and renders 3D imagery with the aid of its stereo screens. Oculus Rift is out now and sells for about $599, it’s expensive but it’s worth the price. Refresh rate: 90Hz (this is the vital stat when it comes to VR headset, the higher it is, the lesser lag you experience)

Samsung Gear VR
Samsung Gear VR is powered by VR daddy Oculus. Remember, this VR headset works only with a Samsung smartphone namely Galaxy Note5, S6 edge+, S6, and S6 edge. The Samsung VR doesn’t disappoint on both, design and performance. Be sure to buy this if you’re looking to adopt VR technology a little earlier than the others. Content is mostly free, but games and other Oculus content come at a price. The Samsung Gear VR retails for Rs.7,899 on Flipkart.

PlayStation VR headset
Sony’s PlayStation VR is a monster. Not only does it have a higher refresh rate than the Vice and the Rift (120Hz) it also sports a 5.7 inch OLED thereby letting it display a stunning VR experience. PlayStation VR headset is set to launch in October this year along with some massive Sony PlayStation product launches. Expected price is about $399

Google Cardboard
If you’d like a cheap, pocket-friendly way to experience virtual reality then Google’s Cardboard is for you. It is basically a cardboard container that lets you pop in your smartphone and then uses your phone’s sensors to track your head movements. One small problem could be sweat though. Price: $17! approximately (only)

PLAY SPORTS
TAKING YOU BEYOND THE GAME

In this age of instant gratification, why should playing sports for leisure be so hard to coordinate? From achieving a quorum to booking a ground, playing a team game presents a series of off-field challenges. To take the sweat out of coordinating the game, entrepreneur Viraj Velinker drew up a roadmap for a pick-up sports app that would address the needs of everyday athletes like himself — and so the PlaySports mobile app was created. Designed to function as a social network for sports enthusiasts, the app is available this month for both iOS and Android platforms. Getting started is as simple as downloading the app on your smartphone and signing in. Once you have joined the PlaySports community, you can form a team of your own with friends across a range of sports including cricket, football, basketball, tennis, yoga and billiards. Start a game at any location, simply by dropping a pin on MapView. Apart from connecting with like-minded people who share a common love for the sport that you play, you will never have to cancel another game because you are short of participants! Enabled with live chat functionality, the PlaySports app allows you to exchange updates and coordinate the game seamlessly with your team, without having to toggle between apps and windows. In ‘Quickplay’ mode you are able to view the games currently being played or scheduled in your vicinity. You needn’t be part of an existing team to sign up for a game. Simply choose your preferred game and join it instantly. Filters allow you to select your favoured location and define your available time slots, besides receiving notifications on new games popping up within those parameters.

               

VIRTUAL REALITY APPS YOU MUST TRY!

VR apps rely on VR devices to create a VR experience. The apps below will work with Google Cardboard and this is where you should try out the technology before you put your money down on a high-end headset

InMind
Platforms: Android, iOS A VR game that starts in your patient’s mind to find neutrons that are causing a mental disorder. InMind looks pretty exciting although the gameplay is a little too simple yet engaging.

Star Wars VR
Platforms: Android, iOS
Let the force awaken in front of your eyes with this free Star Wars VR app! Step into the shoes of a Resistance secret agent on Jakku, the desert scenario that features in the latest Star Wars movie.

Sisters
Platforms: Android, iOS
Makes me feel like Annabelle is right in the room when I play this one. Sisters is a creepy, fun and scary game that really manages to create a true VR experience. You’ve got to play to know what I’m talking about.

 

Volume 5 Issue 11