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Stanford Now Offers A Class Held Entirely In Virtual Reality Using Quest 2

From uploadvr

A new course being offered by Stanford University garnered some attention in the last few weeks for being the institution’s first class taught and held entirely in VR using Meta Quest 2 headsets.

Taught by Professor Jeremy Bailenson, Communication 166 deals with the various angles of emerging VR technology and its use cases. Bailenson, who you discusses the course in the video above, is the author of the seminal VR text Experience on Demand, which also is one of the class’ assigned readings.

Here’s a course description:

Virtual Reality is becoming mainstream, with more than ten million systems being used in the United States alone. This class examines VR from the viewpoint of various disciplines, including popular culture, engineering, behavioral science, and communication. Each student will receive an Oculus Quest 2 headset, and the bulk of our learning will occur while immersed in VR.

According to the course structure, students will sometimes use lecture time to take part in VR experiences by themselves (such as watching a 360 degree video in VR) or as a group (such as attending a meditation session in Altspace as a group). Class discussions take place in VR too, using Engage.

According to this site, 263 students took the course in 2021 using their own VR headsets and spent a shared 200,000 minutes in VR for the course.

The course attracted some attention last week when it was mentioned by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his Facebook profile, where he revealed that the students are all using Quest 2 headsets.

Stanford University has a strong history with VR, with the Stanford VR Experience tour playing a strong role in Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to purchase Oculus in 2014.

You can read more about Stanford’s Communication 166 class held entirely in virtual reality here.

Oculus Browser And Android Apps Add Free-Form Window Resize Option

From uploadvr

The Oculus Browser and some 2D Android apps are adding support for free-form resizing of browser windows on Quest 2, significantly improving the workflow when multitasking.

The feature was first noticed in a tweet, embedded below, by Joseph Simpson, Curator of the Extended Collection (a “library of links to the Immersive Web”).

It looks like the feature is rolling out gradually and isn’t available to everyone just yet — as is usually the case with Meta software updates, you’ll just have to keep checking to see if the feature is enabled for you. We’ve been able to try it on one Quest account, though it’s still missing from another two. Alongside the browser, Meta’s Multitasking Tech Lead, Eduardo Cuervo, confirmed it’s available for some Android apps too.

Previously, windows could be resized between three set horizontal distances — narrow, medium and wide — or using more precise adjustable horizontal resizing tool. However, this new free-form tool lets you grab a corner and manipulate the window into any size and aspect ratio you like, giving users much more freedom in how they work and multitask using Oculus Browser.

The biggest impact this has on multitasking is the ability to resize windows to a shape that feels more appropriate for the app or site you’re using. For example, if you’re using the Oculus Browser to watch some Disney+ content while working on a Google Docs page in a separate tab, you could now freeform resize the video tab to whatever size and aspect ratio you like, and then resize the Google Docs tab to a vertical orientation that fits the aspect ratio of the page.

Oculus Browser 18.1 is available now on the Meta Quest platform, though this feature seems to be rolling out independently of that update.

Horizon Worlds Beta Goes Public In US & Canada With 18+ Age Requirement

From uploadvr

After years of waiting, the Horizon Worlds beta is opening to anyone in the US and Canada, with no invite required.

Meta announced the change today, which moves the beta from an invite-only system to a public beta with no invite requirement. Anyone who is in the US and Canada and over 18 can download Horizon Worlds and try it out from today.

UploadVR asked Meta for clarification on how the 18+ age requirement will be verified, to which a spokesperson responded: “When you log into Horizon Worlds with Facebook, you’ll be able to use the app in VR if your age on Facebook is over 18.”

Horizon Worlds is the social hub and creation tool created by Meta as part of the wider Horizon brand, which also includes Horizon Venues and Horizon Workrooms. It was announced all the way back in 2019, then known as Facebook Horizon, and displayed similar social, world-building functionality as VR apps like VRChat and Rec Room.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has emphasized Horizon Worlds’ priority within the company’s VR/AR efforts, hoping it might start the ‘social fabric’ of VR. Likewise, Meta Consulting CTO John Carmack has stated that he wants the next iteration of the company’s annual Connect conference to be held inside Horizon apps.

We first tried Horizon Worlds at Oculus Connect 6 in September 2019. A Closed Alpha began in March 2020, followed by a transition to an invite-only closed beta in August. It was then that we were able to go hands-on with Horizon Worlds for a second time, which left us feeling that the app had good foundation but didn’t necessarily feel like the full picture of Meta’s social VR puzzle.

In October, Meta rebranded Facebook Horizon to Horizon Worlds and announced a $10 million fund to encourage Horizon creators, despite still being in closed beta at the time.

Now, more than two years after it was announced, the beta will be open to those in the US and Canada. There is no word on other regions at the moment, but expect to hear more as the open beta progresses towards (hopefully) a full launch in the future.

Horizon Worlds beta is open to anyone aged 18+ in the United States and Canada from today on the Quest and Rift platforms. Support for the original Quest 1 will end January 13, 2022.

Meditation App Maloka Releases Dec 14 For Quest, Neil deGrasse Tyson Joins

From uploadvr

The mediation app Maloka is set for a full Oculus Store release for Meta Quest headsets on December 14, with the renowned scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson joining the experience as the voice of the Universe.

Maloka initially launched in Beta back in May as an App Lab experience for Quest, but it’s graduating to a full release on the Quest store on December 14. The app offers guided VR meditations that take place in a pulsing, slowly moving psychedelic vortex. Unlike most meditation sessions, you keep your eyes open in Maloka, aligning your breathing with the patterns that engulf your field of view.

You also get your own zen island space in the app, which you can decorate with items that you earn as rewards for completing meditation sessions.

When I tried Maloka back in May, I found the entire experience to be surprisingly effective and satisfying — it’s a new twist on the traditional guided meditation structure that works unexpectedly well in VR.

There’s also a free companion Maloka app for mobile devices, which you can use to complete regular guided meditations via audio — handy for when you’re on the go or don’t have time for a full VR session.

The Quest release also comes with a new addition to the cast — renowned scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson is lending his talents to Maloka, playing the voice of the Universe. You can catch a sneak peek of his performance in the teaser trailer above.

Maloka launches for Meta Quest headsets from December 14 on the Oculus Store. You can read more about our experience with the early App Lab version of Maloka here.

Horizon Workrooms 1.2 Adds Customization, New Themes, Lectern

From uploadvr

Horizon Workrooms 1.2 is available now, bringing more customization to rooms and a lectern for easier presenting.

Originally announced back at Connect 2021, the new update lets users upload custom posters and logo graphics to display in the room, as well as pick a room theme.

When Workrooms launched, there was only one room available (the ‘Lakes’ room). Now there are two room locations available, each with two different themes: Lakes – Cabin, Lakes – Vibrant, City – Bright and City – Sleek.

The latter Vibrant and Bright themes feel a bit more casual, while the Sleek and Cabin themes take on a slightly more professional tone, especially the former.

The City room is a nice change of pace from the standard offering, but the view does look a little close to the ‘The World If’ meme skyline for my liking. Nonetheless, you can make it feel a little more homely by uploading custom graphics and decorating the walls.

To upload custom graphic files to Workrooms, you’ll need to ensure that both your Workrooms Quest app and the Oculus Remote Desktop app are updated to version 1.2. Oculus Remote Desktop doesn’t update automatically, so you’ll need to head over to workrooms.com and download the latest version.

Once everything is updated, head to the Room tab in Workrooms in VR, then scroll down until you find the option that lets you customize the room’s graphics. Clicking on the plus icon for each graphic will open a link in the browser of your connected computer, where you can upload the poster and logo graphics.

Once uploaded, apply them to your room and feel a little bit more at home. We managed to get our UploadVR logo into the City – Sleek theme, as pictured above, and it definitely makes the space feel a little more personal.

The last new feature is a lectern, to be used when presenting so that you still have access to your desk area while speaking to the audience.

Will you be customizing your Workrooms environment? Let us know in the comments.

David Attenborough’s First Life Documentary Available In Oculus TV Now

From uploadvr

Another David Attenborough documentary, First Life, is coming to Oculus TV, focusing on the origin of life on Earth.

It was only a few days ago that we found out that David Attenborough’s 3D documentary Kingdom of Plants was making its way to Oculus TV, and yet another documentary is now available too. First Life was first broadcast in 2010 and has now been reimagined for VR over a decade later, co-produced by Meta and Alchemy Immersive with Zoo VFX and 1.618 Digital.

The documentary runs for just over 11 minutes and will explore the very beginnings of life on our planet, featuring a variety of creatures such as the Opabinai, the Anomalocaris and the Hallucigenia. Here’s a snippet from Alchemy Immersive on what to expect:

Join David Attenborough on an epic journey 350 billion years into the past to experience the origin of life on Earth. Utilising world-leading paleontological research and breakthroughs in CGI technologies, experience for the first time the story of how life evolved from single-celled organisms into the ferocious predators that stalked the seafloor.

Alchemy Immersive also brought the aforementioned Kingdom of Plants documentary to life in VR, but that was a little different to First Life — whereas the former was filmed in 3D, the latter was not.

Nonetheless, First Life will present on Oculus TV in stereoscopic 8K 60fps video, available now on Quest headsets. Headphones are recommend as well, as the experience uses spatial audio.

You can start the experience by visiting this link on desktop or mobile, which allows you to queue the experience in VR or bookmark it for later.

David Attenborough’s Kingdom Of Plants Comes To Quest Via Oculus TV

From uploadvr

A flora-focused series from nature documentary legend David Attenborough is making its way to VR, available now via Oculus TV.

Kingdom of Plants 3D is a three-part series, written and presented by Attenborough, that first premiered on TV back in 2012, broadcast on 3D channels.

It was one of a couple of Attenborough series in the early 2010s that were shot and presented in 3D format. Kingdom of Plants is the only one to since be converted to work in VR and made available to Quest users.

The VR adaption was produced by Alchemy Immersive — who also worked on last year’s release of the Micro Monsters series by Attenborough on Oculus TV — in collaboration with Meta, ZOO VFX and 1.618 Digital.

Kingdom of Plants will be available at 8K 60fps on Quest 2 and 5K 60fps on the original Quest.

“This immersive series gives you a chance to discover how the life of plants is far from static; it’s full of rich and curious stories of rivalries, dramas, allies and enemies,” said Alchemy Immersive director Iona McEwan to Variety. “By immersing you in the plant world at their scale, in their time, and in incredible 8K quality, you experience our world in an entirely new way.”

Speaking about the original film, Attenborough said that “you can go to Africa and watch elephants and you’ll see more or less what you see on TV but you can’t go anywhere in the world and see plants like you can in this series.”

Quest users can access the content right now through Oculus TV or by heading to alchemyimmersive.com/kingdomofplants.

Meta Quest Branding Takes Over Oculus Website

From uploadvr

Quest 2’s transition from Oculus to Meta is nearly complete.

Back at its Connect conference last month, Meta (which announced its new name to replace the Facebook branding at the event) confirmed it would be phasing out parts of the Oculus brand to instead focus on its new name. At the time the company said the transition would be gradual, and we saw the first ‘Meta Quest’ advertising a week later. Now the logo is fixed to the top of the Oculus.com website too.

The Oculus website as it appeared on November 17…
Meta Quest 2 website
…and how it now appears.

The Meta Quest logo has replaced the old ‘Oculus From Facebook’ logo on the top left of the page. The company’s new symbol is sitting next to it. There are still elements of the Oculus Quest 2 branding left for now – hover your mouse over the ‘Products’ tab and you can still click to purchase an Oculus Quest 2. We’re also yet to see Quest 2 packaging that fully replaces the Oculus logo, though we’d imagine there’s a fair amount of logistical issues in doing that. And, for those wondering, MetaQuest.com currently doesn’t take you to that same page (or any page, for that matter).

It’s interesting to see the logo sitting at the top of Oculus.com given that Meta’s next VR headset, codenamed Cambria, has been confirmed not to be a part of the Quest line. We’re not expecting to see the headset launch for some time, however, so there’s plenty of time to see how Meta’s VR branding will evolve from these first steps. Elements of the Oculus name, like the Oculus Studios label, are expected to stick around for the time being.

What do you make of Quest’s transition over to Meta? Let us know in the comments below.

Curatours Brings Free Virtual Exhibitions To Oculus Quest And PC, Starting With… Plastics

From uploadvr

Virtual exhibition platform, Curatours, is now available on Oculus Quest via App Lab and PC, and it’s launched its first destination, too.

The platform, which was revealed in late 2020 and created by Spaceteam VR developer, Cooperative Innovations, today introduced the Museum of Plastic 2121. As the name suggests, the exhibition envisions a future 100 years from now in which humanity has resolved the climate issues it faces today. The only single-use plastic left in the world is used within the museum. Check out a teaser trailer below.

Curatours – Museum Of Plastic 2121 Trailer

The museum’s aim is to create a positive outlook for the future whilst informing visitors about what needs to change and how they can play a part. It was created in a collaboration with South African activist group, Greenpop, and Baz-Art, an artist collective that helped create murals and 3D paintings for the exhibit. Around the site you’ll find information points to read more and other media drops. You can explore the exhibit with friends, and new wings of the museum are expected to open every Thursday of November 2021.

You can download Curatours for free on App Lab and SteamVR. The platform also offers live tour guides and other elements. Expect to see other museums and exhibits open in the future.

Project Cambria 3D Model Formed From Texture Leak

From uploadvr

Last week we reported on another Project Cambria leak that revealed a set of textures for Meta’s new headset. Now those textures have been stitched together to give us a closer look at the device.

Twitter user Bastian, who was behind the original leak of the textures, posted new images of all the assets molded into 3D models. There’s one for the headset itself, plus the new controllers and the controller dock that we first saw in another leak.

Of course, when we first saw these leaks we were waiting on the reveal of Cambria — which we’d been referring to as Oculus Quest Pro — at the Connect developer conference. In the end, we didn’t get a full reveal of the device (Cambria itself is only a codename), but the little footage we did see of it is consistent with the 3D models here.

Namely, we can see a black headset with an integrated headband, a pair of controllers that no longer have the tracking rings of the original Touch designs, and a circular pad to charge them on. Bastain made a video flythrough of the models, too.

We also know that Cambria will not be a part of the Quest line of products, though it does look to be a standalone headset. The device uses multi-element pancake lenses for a more compact form factor, high-resolution color passthrough and eye and face tracking capabilities.

We’ll hopefully see more from Project Cambria soon, though the headset doesn’t have a firm release window just yet.