This is the Oculus Rift ultimate version arriving in 2016

Finally we saw how the final version of the Oculus Rift will be, and more importantly, its release date: the first quarter of 2016.

Oculus has over it a lot of pressure since it was bought by Facebook, in every way: not only has to meet the expectations of virtual reality, but also demonstrate that the sale does not affect what it promised. Although we expected a pitch this year, the lack of news made us fear the worst, and finally confirmed: until next year can not afford a Oculus Rift.

At least today the company has tried to calm the cravings get one, showing the first images (very dark, of course) on how will look the ultimate version of Oculus Rift and sharing some data.

The main thing is that this Rift is based on the prototype Crescent Bay, presented in September last year. According to its creators it will be more than just a device, and that also promises a complete ecosystem; it is not surprising, given the large number of games and apps compatible with Oculus Rift even though there is still not officially been released.

Concerning prototypes, we find improvements in the monitoring system, both seated and standing; also it has improved ergonomics to make it less annoying. Oculus Rift reserves will be opened later this year, and probably we will soon know more hardware.

This is the Oculus Rift ultimate version arriving in 2016

Grand Theft Auto V in Oculus Rift

It was inevitable, and has been a long time until finally someone tried: Grand Theft Auto V in the Oculus Rift is already possible.

For this, all we need is the vorpX program, which is able to show games from DirectX 9 to DirectX 11 3D stereo format for a virtual reality device necessary as the Oculus Rift. The downside is the payment, and it costs €29.99, but the effect worth it for many users.

Thanks to this program is fairly easy to add support Oculus Rift to many PC games, not just GTA V, although not perfect if the game is not designed with virtual reality in mind. For Grand Theft Auto V, as shown in the video below, the effect is pretty good when we ride a motorcycle; in fact the author of the video says it is the only thing that give something really special to the game, go around driving and shooting sporadically.

That's the good thing about games so liberated as this one. Virtually every player enjoys in a different way; in the video below another player decides to test the action on foot.

Grand Theft Auto V came to Steam this week but there is already a large community around, beating the record of users playing simultaneously (in a game that is not Valve, the creator of Steam).

And although it has not been created with the mods in mind, there are many experiments as this attempt to play Grand Theft Auto V in the Oculus Rift showing to that players that is not an impediment.

Grand Theft Auto V in Oculus Rift

Google is working on an Android version for Virtual Reality

After the war that is already coming on the smartwatches market, it seems that another is about to come much more fiercely. It is the market for Virtual Reality. Recently we talked about Lakento MVR, or Oculus Rift, yesterday we told you everything we know about the Samsung Gear VR here, not long ago about CastAR and also developments that Facebook was doing about it.

And it seems that nobody wants to miss the chance to win a market that already existed but had never fully exploited, but rather the opposite. Taking advantage of the technological fever that much of the world society is living, one that joins to the virtual truck of Virtual Reality is Google, which already has a team working on an Android version.

Google has an Android -or try to have- prepared to be virtual part of everything we can imagine. On the way we saw with Android Auto, TV, or Wear, now it's the turn of the Virtual Reality.

Each of these paths has tried to get as much shine as phones, but for now do not enjoy much success in the market, or are too young to determine whether projects will be triumphant. Wall Street Journal is in charge of telling that Google has a team working on a version of Android, specifically to deal with the Virtual Reality.

A relatively small team working at it from the point of view of a platform, with its specific operating system and development tools. We have already seen that the idea of ​​the helmet liked, with devices like Cardboard or View-Master.

It is truth that this year seems to be very active with regard to helmets and technologies related to virtual and augmented reality. HTC lives, or the helmet of Sony, it seems that the proposals are more liking among those who have been able to try them in person.

As we can understand from the leaks, this is a different path than was raised with augmented reality of Google Glass, this is a side project. Possibly end up having a presentation at the next Google I/O 2015.

Google is working on an Android version for Virtual Reality

Samsung Gear VR, goggles adapted to the Samsung Galaxy S6

Mobile World Congress 2015 is over and has left us a lot of great news on apps and devices. For example, the new Samsung Gear VR. a virtual reality grlasses fully adapted to the new Samsung Galaxy S6. This development provides some improvements in search of a higher quality experience.

There have been quite dittos that have been a commercial failure in the history of technology. As a technology, virtual reality has much to say here. Recurrently has been a disappointment after another, a few well-meaning prototypes that have not been accepted in the market.

The new Samsung Gear VR, which have already been seen on MWC 2015, features Oculus technology but is still not a final product, as there is not even time to market, but most likely not be delayed many months since Samsung Galaxy S6 will be on April 10.

With Samsung Gear VR we can watch movie trailers and other videos like we were in a real cinema. It is very striking to see the film on a screen that feel "distant" taking near a cinema seat. We can turn our head and look up and see walls, light bulbs, projector on the wall. In shor, the whole room, also other environments, such as a small warm room into a home theater. It is a curious effect that makes the experience more enjoyable, even if they are not real.

For the moment now there are no movies in the Samsung store. Samsung recommends to use in sessions of 30 minutes and rest after to avoid dizziness caused by prolonged doses. Yo can also upload your own videos and watch them, you can do it without problem.

One of the main things that call our attention is that you can watch videos in 360º. You can imagine whatever you can and be doing it through a video game, a trailer or an app. You can look down, forward, sideways, backwards, and admire all that landscape. That's what this is about: a fully immersive experiences. Samsung Gear VR is lots of fun, literally.

Samsung Gear VR, goggles adapted to the Samsung Galaxy S6

Facebook is working on virtual reality applications

Facebook acquired Oculus Rift (virtual reality helmet developed by Oculus VR) almost a year ago. Now, after some serious doubts, at a conference in CodeMedia, Product Manager of Facebook, Chris Cox, has hinted about plans after the operation: Facebook works in virtual reality applications.

The social network created by Mark Zuckerberg knows that needs to be renewed so that users do not lose interest in social media and virtual reality is one of the ways in which they are working. On how to apply the social network, Cox has not given details, but points out that users can create virtual reality content, not just consume it.

They are taking perhaps more than we expected, which may indicate that the acquiring company itself was not expected, and many questions remain unanswered, such as how exactly will these apps work, although that has advanced some ideas for making the concept of virtual reality. However, it is sure that we will not see these ideas come true in the near future. 

This line of work for Facebook opens numerous possibilities. Leveraging technology acquired with Oculus, could launch its own Android application market focused on virtual reality, that worked with native Facebook to create an ecosystem. It would be an interesting way of business for social network that looks like its current market begins to saturate.

The approach is certainly interesting, but we will have to see if it really comes true. Not exactly the same, but the failure of Google Glassis an event to remember and wearables are not work at all as was expected, showing that there is such a large market for all products such as smartphones. 

Facebook is working on virtual reality applications