quest pro

The NHL Is Getting Its Own VR Hockey Platform

August 8, 2023 From vrscout

Train like a pro while dressed as one.

VR sports training provider, Sense Arena, today announced that it has partnered with the National Hockey League (NHL), to launch NHL Sense Arena, the first-ever interactive NHL VR platform.

First launched back in 2018, the Sense Arena hockey platform immerses you in a variety of virtual challenges and drills designed to test your skills on the ice and help improve your performance. The platform is employed by multiple professional sports organizations like the LA Kings and the New Jersey Devils to train their athletes and can be used virtually anywhere, from the locker room to a hotel room.

NHL Sense Arena is the official successor to the original Sense Arena hockey platform and features the jerseys and logos of all 32 NHL teams, allowing you to train and compete as an NHL player or goalie using your personal hockey stick while supporting your favorite franchise.

“The NHL has some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and we are thrilled to bring them onto the ice to experience what it feels like to train like an NHL player or goalie,” said Sense Arena founder and CEO, Bob Tetiva, in an official release. “This new partnership will allow hockey lovers of all ages to compete against each other in exciting drills while representing their favorite NHL teams.”

Credit: Sense Arena

NHL Sense Arena is scheduled to launch in Fall 2023 for Meta Quest and Quest Pro headsets. The app pairs with your existing hockey equipment, offering a truly immersive training experience that has a genuine impact on your performance. Current Sense Arena hockey subscribers will receive the NHL platform update 100% free of charge.

For more information on pricing visit www.sensearena.com/store/us.

We had the chance to check out the Sense Arena hockey platform a couple of years ago and were impressed by the generous catalog of virtual drills provided. As I trained, the app kept track of various performance metrics, such as my accuracy and speed.

Since that 2021 demo, Sense Arena has been designated the official Virtual Reality Training Tool of USA Hockey.

Feature Image Credit: Sense Arena

Meta CTO Rebukes Report Claiming Cancellation of Quest Pro Line

July 22, 2023 From roadtovr

According to a recent report from The Information, Meta is allegedly spinning down Quest Pro alongside a broader move to cancel the future ‘Pro’ line of XR hardware altogether. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth says however, “don’t believe everything you read.”

Meta has reportedly stopped ordering new components for the Quest Pro from its suppliers, The Information maintains. While it’s thought Meta will continue selling its $1,000 Pro-branded mixed reality headset as long as there is enough stock, the report alleges the entire Pro line has been suspended, putting a second-generation Quest Pro distinctly out of the question.

Speaking in an Instagram Stories post yesterday, Bosworth rebukes the claim that a potential Quest Pro 2 has officially been cancelled for good, saying that his team is developing multiple prototypes in parallel for all of its projects. Notably, he doesn’t address whether it’s spinning down the current version of Quest Pro, however he implies that the report of Quest Pro 2’s demise was the result of a disgruntled employee whose project was cut.

Here’s Bosworth’s statement in full:

“I have to explain this every year. There is no Quest Pro 2 headset until we decide there is. What I mean by that is there are lots of prototype headsets—lots of them—all in development in parallel. Some of them, we say, “that’s not the right one,” and we shut it down. Some of them, we say, “that’s the right one,” and we spin it up. What you need to understand is, until it goes out the door, it doesn’t get the name. So, there might be a Quest Pro 2, there might not be. I’m not really telling you, but I will say don’t believe everything you read about what’s been stopped or started. A lot of times it comes from someone who’s unhappy their particular project got cut when there are other projects that did not get cut.”

Still, it’s clear there’s been some turbulence in how Quest Pro was handled from the get-go. Originally launched for $1,500 in October 2022, Meta decided only a few months later it would slash Quest Pro by $500, putting at its $1,000 price tag today. Meanwhile, Quest 2 has seen multiple price changes, ranging from $300 to $400 for the same 128GB variant.

Fluctuating prices aside, Quest Pro’s raison d’être has never really been clearly defined, as the company has nebulously pitched it to professionals as a would-be workstation. In practice, Quest Pro has been more of a developer kit for studios hoping to build consumer apps for the cheaper Quest 3, coming in Fall 2023 at $500. Meanwhile, Quest Pro users have reported a host of usability issues since launch, decidedly making it feel a little less ready for prime time than the company probably hoped.

Whatever the case, Quest Pro 2 would need a much clearer value proposition—provided whatever prototypes Meta has waiting in the wings also don’t also get cut.

Ride A Virtual Motorcycle In BMW’s New VR Metaverse

July 12, 2023 From vrscout

Cruise the metaverse in style.

This past weekend, BMW unveiled BMW Motorrad MetaRide, a virtual world dedicated to the auto manufacturer’s new motorcycle, the BMW CE 02. Accessible via the VR social platform Spatial, this digital brand space promises a variety of activities designed to immerse users in the world of BMW Motorrad, the company’s official motorcycle brand.

Upon creating an avatar and joining the world, you can “ride” a virtual recreation of the BMW CE 02 through a realistic environment designed to mirror the real world. In addition to these “virtual test rides,” you can also shoot hoops and collect virtual tokens. There’s even a custom jacket you can unlock for your avatar.

“The new BMW CE 02 represents a new way of accessing the world of BMW Motorrad, because it is electric, appeals in particular to young people and is neither an e-motorcycle nor an e-scooter – it is an eParkourer,” said BMW in an official release.

“In keeping with this new, forward-looking type of mobility for urban environments, BMW Motorrad is now offering the opportunity to experience the new CE 02 up close in the BMW Motorrad MetaRide.”

Credit: BMW

You can visit the BMW Motorrad MetaRide metaverse now via Spatial, available for free on Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro VR headsets. According to BMW, MetaRide will eventually grow to include various other products.

For more information check out BMW’s official announcement here.

Feature Image Credit: BMW

KORG Just Launched A Futuristic Music Studio In VR

July 10, 2023 From vrscout

Immerse yourself in a “new type” of music studio.

Legendary musical instrument manufacturer KORG recently announced the launch of its popular music production studio app KORG Gadget on VR headsets. Originally release on platforms such as iOS, Mac, and, bizarrely enough, the Nintendo Switch, this marks the first time the award-winning software will be available in VR.

Credit: KORG Inc.

According to KORG, KORG Gadget VR immerses musicians in a “new type” of music studio where they can produce original compositions using an assortment of unique instrumental gadgets, from keyboards and drum machines to the very same synths used in the iOS version.

Each gadget has been updated by the developer for use with motion controls, allowing you to go “hands-on” like you would in the real world. You can arrange these instruments any way you’d like throughout your 3D space, allowing you to create the ultimate 360-degree digital audio workstation (DAW).

“Now, Gadget has finally entered the world of VR. In the 3D space that spreads out before your eyes, you will be able to control gadgets that are arranged in 360 degrees as if they were surrounding you,” said the company in an official release. “All you need is a VR headset compatible with KORG Gadget VR*. Enjoy creating music with the DAW of the future, which offers an immersive experience unlike anything you have ever experienced before.”

KORG Gadget VR is available now on PC VR as well as Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro headsets for $29.99. For more information check out the official announcement here.

Feature Image Credit: KORG Inc.

Golf Your Way Through The Center Of The Earth In VR

June 9, 2023 From vrscout

“Journey to the Center of the Earth” in this new course for Wakabout Mini Golf.

Since launching on VR headsets in 2020, the popular VR mini golf simulator Walkabout Mini Golf has added a number of unique virtual courses developed in collaboration with major brands, such as Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and Myst.

Most recently, developer Mighty Coconut released its 19th course, “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the second of three exotic golf courses based on the work of critically-acclaimed French writer, Jules Verne. This latest course features 18 easy-mode and 18 hard-mode holes as well as a collectible putter, foxhunt, lost balls, and a new flashlight mechanic.

“Grab your putter and flashlight as you chase Professor Lidenbrock through the network of caverns and volcanic tubes that reach to the very center of the earth,” said Mighty Coconut in an official release.

“Sink shots and search for clues as you navigate dark passageways, a mushroom forest, brilliant gems, and an underground ocean occupied with living prehistoric creatures from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. On the second course from our Jules Verne trilogy, all will be illuminated as you explore the courses below the earth’s surface on a grand adventure!”

Credit: Mighty Coconut

Walkabout Mini Golf is available now on Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PC VR headsets for $14.99. You can pick up the “Journey to the Center of the Earth” course for an additional $3.99. The 20th course, Laser Lair, will be available this July.

Mighty Coconut is also embarking a UK tour in celebration of the new update. Those lucky enough to find themselves in London or Bristol this month can attend two player meetups featuring a course drawing activity, photos, and giveaways. For more information on the latest update visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Mighty Coconut

Meta & BMW Are Taking In-Car XR To The Next Level

May 22, 2023 From vrscout

Last week, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta and the BMW Group have partnered to develop a research project focused on the integration of virtual and augmented reality (AR) into vehicles.

The partnership, which was first announced in 2021, aims to explore how this technology could be used to enhance passenger and driver experiences.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen VR technology used in passenger cars. Holoride has already begun offering its own version of in-car VR entertainment. That said, in-car VR technology still features its fair share of limitations. For instance, if the device is moving while the car is moving, it might get confused and display unstable content.

Navigating a few speed bumps

The mismatch between the current generation of VR headsets and the design of vehicles has prevented stable virtual content from being displayed inside a car when it’s moving.

This issue has been a problem for the automotive industry for a long time, and the folks at Meta Reality Lab collaborated with the BMW team to resolve it. Through this partnership, they were able to create a solution that accurately anchors virtual objects to the car and integrates the data collected by a BMW car’s sensor array into its Quest Pro tracking system.

This solution allowed them to accurately anchor a virtual object to the car by leveraging data from Meta’s Aria research glasses and demonstrate the use of Meta’s new tracking system and the Meta Quest Pro in cars with MR and VR experiences. The next step was to add the car’s location to the system so that it can be rendered in a world-locked manner.

Exciting results

“Our research prototype shows that we can enable entertaining and comfortable passenger experiences that are anchored to the car itself, including VR and mixed reality gaming, entertainment, productivity, and even meditation capabilities,” said Richard Newcombe, Vice President of Research Science, Reality Labs Research, in an official release.

“The technology has the potential to transform how we can safely interact with our environment while traveling, and as we progress into reliable world-locked content on the road to AR glasses, we’re hopeful it will be possible for passengers to see things like markers for landmarks, restaurants, places of interest and more.”

The future looks bright

It’s too early to tell exactly when the technology will be available in cars. That said, the BMW Group believes that it could be used to improve the passenger experience. For instance, it could be used to help the driver locate their car in a parking lot and alert them to potential hazards.

Claus Dorrer, Head of BMW Group Technology Office USA in Mountain View, said “The implications of future AR glasses and VR devices — for passengers as well as drivers — are promising. The research partnership with Meta will allow us to discover what immersive, in-vehicle XR experiences could look like in the future and spearhead the seamless integration of such devices into cars.”

Meta and BMW are working together to develop new use cases for its in-car technology. One of these is the ability to access the car’s 6D positioning system, which could allow the virtual content to be displayed outside the vehicle. This could be useful for developing AR glasses and AI assistants.

The potential of this technology to transform travel will help shape the future, as it could allow us to experience new forms of utility and communication without the need for screens or instruments.

To learn more about the project, please refer to Meta’s official blog post or check out the press release issued by BMW.

Feature Image Credit: Meta

Celebrate Star Wars Day With This Intense VR Workout

May 4, 2023 From vrscout

The Force is strong with this virtual fitness program.

It’s May 4th, aka Star Wars Day, the one time of year we all come together as a community to share our love of George Lucas’ iconic science-fiction franchise. It’s been a phenomenal few years for fans with the premiere of Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and season three of The Mandalorian.

Today, VR fitness platform Supernatural is giving fans even more to celebrate with a new Star Wars-themed workout set to a handful of instantly-recognizable tracks from the original saga. This includes “Cantina Band,” “End Title,” “Imperial Attack,” “Main Title,” The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme),” and “The Throne Room.”

Credit: Supernatural

“Today is the day! May The Fourth Be With You – the epic Star Wars workout is coming back to VR fitness app Supernatural to transport you to a galaxy far, far away!” said the company in an official release.

“Help Coach Doc triumph over the Dark Side in this heart-pumping Star Wars Day Flow workout, fueled by your favorite tracks from the saga. This workout will only be available until May 5th, so don’t miss your chance to jump into your VR headset and show us what you’ve got!”

For those unfamiliar, Supernatural is a VR fitness platform that immerses you in a variety of challenging VR workouts led by professional instructors and set to a playlist of popular tracks from major artists across all genres.

This exclusive Star Wars workout will only be available until May 5th, so you’ll want to act fast.

For more information visit getsupernatural.com.

Feature Image Credit: Supernatural

Celebrate Earth Day With An Out-Of-This-World VR Film

April 21, 2023 From vrscout

Felix & Paul Studios, the award-winning team behind Space Explorers and Traveling While Black, is back with yet another jaw-dropping VR series.

Arriving just in time for Earth Day, Space Explorers – Blue Marble is a “presence-based experience” that discusses our place in the universe and the vital importance of ensuring a future for generations to come. According to Felix & Paul, the 360-degree film features stunning footage shot outside the International Space Station.

“Experience the awe-inspiring ‘Overview Effect,’ the profound realization astronauts experience when they witness our planet from low Earth orbit,” said the team in an official release. “Let your imagination run wild as you contemplate the beauty and mystery of the universe. Join a journey of wonder and exploration and prepare to be blown away as you witness the beauty of our planet from a perspective that few have ever seen.”

Episode one of the series, Space Explorers – Blue Marble: Orbit 1 will be available for free on Meta Quest, Quest 2, and Quest Pro VR headsets beginning tomorrow. For more information visit felixandpaul.com.

Feature Image Credit: Felix & Paul Studios

Peacock Is Now Streaming In VR On Quest Headsets

April 12, 2023 From vrscout

You can now watch shows like The Office and Saturday Night Live on the go in VR with the launch of Peacock for Meta Quest headsets.

This is the first time the major streaming service is available on VR headsets (minus some unofficial workarounds) and it brings with it a number of popular films and television shows, such as the ones listed above, as well as Parks and Recreation, That ‘70s Show, and Yellowstone just to name a few.

There’s also live news and sports, from Big Ten Football and Major League Baseball to Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling.

Credit: Meta, NBCU

A multi-screen setup allows you to enjoy the aforementioned content while simultaneously browsing the web. Of course, you can always expand one screen to create your own private cinema experience.

“Launching Peacock on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro meaningfully expands the existing partnership between Meta and NBCUniversal, and offers users more opportunities to experience Peacock’s robust content offering in an immersive VR and streaming experience,” said Annie Luo, EVP, head of global partnerships & strategic development, in an official release. “Whether it be a VR experience with The Office or an iconic film franchise, a live sporting event, or the next breakout Peacock original, there’s something for everyone.”

“We’re excited to bring the Peacock App to Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro,” added Jarred Kennedy VP, immersive apps and experiences at Meta. “With Meta Quest 2 and Pro, you can turn any room into your own virtual entertainment theater, and now users have access to an even larger collection of fan-favorite movies, TV, and sports.”

The Peacock VR app is available now on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro headsets in the US and certain US territories. While the app itself is free to download, you will need to be a paid subscriber in order to access the content. Thankfully, the company is offering a free three-month subscription to anyone who’s registered a Meta Quest headset on or before April 11th, 2023.

Those eligible should receive an email containing a special promo code and redemption link. Simply click on the link and follow the instructions provided to create or sign in to a Peacock account and redeem the offer. You will be required to enter your credit card information as the membership will automatically renew after the promotion expires, so be sure to cancel in a couple of months if you don’t wish to continue with the service.

Meta also teased upcoming exciting partnerships that will see a number of original NBCUniversal content coming to the Meta Avatar Store and Horizon Worlds, Meta’s social VR metaverse. This includes Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Monsters, and The Office.

For more information check out Meta’s official blog post.

Feature Image Credit: Meta, NBC Universal

VRChat Is Coming To Android & iOS Devices

March 31, 2023 From vrscout

One of VR’s most popular social platforms is about to get a whole lot busier.

VRChat for Android and iOS mobile devices is currently in development, according to an official developer update shared earlier this week.

The company states that the mobile version of the platform is already being tested by select team members. In fact, it’s possible you may have interacted with a phone user already without even realizing it. And because Meta Quest headsets run Android, the phone version is compatible with any world or avatar that works on Quest.

Credit: VRChat

That said, some worlds and avatars may need to be adjusted to account for touchscreen controls in order to function properly on Android devices, according to VRChat. The company encourages world creators to optimize their worlds for 2D platforms and reach out with any and all feedback.

VRChat for Android mobile has been in development for a while,” said the company in an official release. “Team members have used it to attend large team meetings, and we’ve been sneaking around in VRChat, trying it out! Who knows, you may have already seen someone using their phone to play VRChat.”

VRChat for Android will be available to VRChat Plus subscribers first within 3-4 months followed by a full public release 3-6 months after the VRC+ release. Instead of using the Google Play Store, participants will receive a custom URL directing them to the download.

According to the company, an iOS release is also currently planned, but there’s no word on an official release date just yet. For more information check out the Developer Update here.

Feature Image Credit: VRChat