Category: #VirtualReality

360 degree VR app ArtPassport gets you up close to the world’s greatest works of art #Art #VR

GalleriesNow.net is upgrading its five-star rated virtual reality exhibitions app to offer art enthusiasts an even more immersive viewing experience of the world’s best contemporary art.

Users will now be able to use a new pinch-to-zoom feature to get a better look at individual pieces of art or sculpture and will be able to search through international exhibition listings and gallery guides to find specific shows. It will also include a ‘NearMe’ button so users can search galleries local to them, wherever they are.

The free app that was first launched in 2017 and received 25k downloads in the first week, presents regularly updated listings of over 500 public and private exhibitions in 40 cities around the world and includes 90 per cent of the world’s top 50 galleries. ArtPassport’s technology means that literally thousands of people can view each exhibition – an order of magnitude more than can make a physical visit, helping to support gallery and artist while introducing new audiences into the artworld.’

The technology works by taking 360-degree photo spheres – multiple images taken from a single viewpoint with a extremely wide-angle lens – which are then processed, joined together and viewed through a special interface, either via the app or on the website. The resulting high-res images can be panned around on a computer, viewed on a phone, or slotted into a viewer for the full VR experience.

Tristram Fetherstonhaugh, CEO and Founder of GalleriesNow said ‘We love gallery exhibitions and have always been about trying to communicate the gallery experience. VR has turned out to be the perfect way to do this. Since launching we’ve taken VR of over 800 exhibitions and we are now delighted to be launching an updated version of the app with great new functionality.  We see this technology as a way to let more people visit more exhibitions – virtually’.

Gary Waterston, Director of Gagosian Gallery, London describes it as: ‘a gamechanger – helping inspire those locally to come and engage with our exhibitions whilst opening up a more in depth view of the installation to those unable to visit in person’

New Features v2

  • An enhanced VR experience with new navigation, pinch zoom and access to individual artworks
  • Searchable international exhibition listings and gallery guides in over 40 cities around the world, including New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Zürich, Hong Kong.
  • NearMe button, letting you find art just around the corner
  • The ability to ‘favourite’ certain exhibitions and receive personalised updates and notifications

 Original features

  • 360°VR photography as a great way to experience the gallery and make the experience more immersive
  • Exclusive 360° images of exhibitions with zoom-in capability
  • Exhibition details with descriptive texts
  • Visitor information with maps and directions
  • 360°s taken by GalleriesNow and available exclusively on the ArtPassport app and GalleriesNow.net website
  • Well-established and international galleries, such as Blain|Southern and David Zwirner, as well as up-and-coming galleries like Annka Kultys
  • Galleries on the app are carefully curated using GalleriesNow.net’s proprietary algorithm, and represent the leading galleries in the world
  • Features new and archived exhibitions for those wanting to preview shows before attending, can’t attend or missed it completely.

ArtPassport is available iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/artpassport/id1220878305?mt=8

Irish VR Innovators, Immersive VR Education, Recreate Dambusters Mission. #Steam #VR #Gaming

Irish virtual/ augmented reality (VR/AR) software firm, Immersive VR Education has announced that its new historical experience Raid on the Ruhr will release on Steam on the 29th March 2019, for PC and VR.

Set in 1943 amid the RAF’s bombing campaign on Germany’s industrial centres, Raid on the Ruhr allows players to fly, shoot and bomb their way through the Ruhr Valley, in this retelling of the real mission that helped inspire the Star Wars trench run.

Bobby Greaney, Director, Immersive VR Education, commented in the launch,

“We wanted to give players the feeling of just how dangerous and daring this mission was. These airmen took an enormous bomber and flew below radar, some of them skimming water and flying under the treeline. Many crashed before getting to the target, and these were among the most highly skilled pilots in the world at the time.”

A large amount of research went into the project. Throughout the game, radio snippets tell you the fate of several crews on the mission.

“133 airmen took off from Scampton,” said Bobby Greaney, “53 never returned on the night, and many more didn’t survive the war. Nowadays, there’s only one Dambuster still living. It’s more important than ever that this story isn’t forgotten”.

The game/experience features several modes – Story, Infinite and Cinematic. Story mode retells the mission’s final approach on the Mohne Dam, with the player taking on the role of the crew of Lancaster Bomber AJ-J (“J for Johnny”). Gameplay alternates between the pilot, rear gunner, and bomber as they desperately try to stay alive and complete their objective.

The game/experience also features a Cinematic mode, for those interested in purely the historical side of the mission, or more casual users of VR, while two infinite modes allow the player to compete on leader boards to try to stay alive for as long as possible, flying or shooting their way through Nazi Germany.

Review – The Blue Yeti Nano. #Blue #YetiNano #Audio

I am kinda new to tech like this but I will keep it easy and it is a must have kit to have if you are not using such. For me I use mobile phones to do all my You Tube videos and not one to sport a huge set up so I used it from my Mobile phone with the only caveat being it must support USB OTG.

If you are new to You Tube, streaming videos  or podcasts, this is all you will need I have plans to do podcasts and streaming later this year but my review now is based on mobile usage as I have phones with the requirements to work This will work on both Android and IOS platforms so you are good to go with a simple set up that wont be difficult to use.

First off it is simple to set up you will need you USB OTG adapter to connect to your phone and I used an Android device so there is not much too it. You then will need some headphones,the better the quality the better especially for your benefit as the sound is just remarkable as if you where sitting in a live radio studio doing a talk show. Once these are all connected you are good to go and start streaming or recording whichever the case maybe.

There is software you can use on your PC too and you can use with popular formats such as Audacity and Garageband. Like I say this is not my scene just yet but I will be now going this direction and will have more to say when I start testing it out on such platforms. You can see more then with the Sherpa software and become custom on its workings.

Basically it is a plug and play set-up depending on how good you want recordings to be as you can edit afterwards if you like via the likes of Audacity which is said to be one of the best and easiest to use and of course free…If like me you use your smartphone you can hear the difference just as well but probably more beneficial to the user rather than the Audience and the sound is really good.

With two settings on the back you have choice of where to pick up your sound from be it cardiod or omnidirectional. Cardiod is the best option for quality sound directly speaking into as this picks up everything  as using the omnidirecitonal setting would give you more than you bargained for.. On the front we have a simple button to turn the volume up or down and on the rear as mentioned above the sound direction and underneath is where you insert your headphones and power cable and there is a thread mount if you have an existing set up or want to make one it is all very simple..

Asides the ease of use it also looks well and is compact compared to the previous model which most of that hang around You Tube for example would see, It is the go to mic for most people and many tech bloggers I know.. There is a little weight to it but thats not a bad thing and its supported with rubber footing so it will stay put on a flat surface but as mentioned you can remove the casing and use a mount if you want to go that direction.

I can only recommend the Yeti Nano if you have not got one of the older models however there is some shortcomings by looking at the two but this is not really an issue and most from what I see like this too due to its size and its also portable to carry with you on tech expos and the likes.

AUDACITY TEST SAMPLE

https://techbuzzireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/yeti-nano-sound-test-techbuzz.mp3?_=1

BUY HERE 

Dell empowers virtual reality and classroom creativity at CIT through latest technologies #Dell #VR #CIT

Dell has today announced that its technology is empowering classroom creativity at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) with students enabled to create graphic-intensive Virtual Reality (VR) projects and lecturers gaining more teaching time.

As CIT sought to harness the opportunities of the world of VR for its creative digital media students, it experienced a number of performance-related barriers. Outdated workstations and supporting infrastructure were hindering the third-level institute from rolling out new modules on gaming, VR, animation and application design.

To overcome these challenges and become a leader in VR design education, CIT undertook a programme to update their design labs and selected Dell as its trusted partner. Through the provision of the latest Dell workstations, Alienware gaming desktops and ProSupport Plus, students at CIT now have the tools to harness the power of VR to accelerate their cutting-edge multimedia careers.

In giving students access to emerging technologies, CIT is responding to a growing desire amongst Generation Z, or those born after 1996, 80% of whom want to work with cutting-edge technology in their future career. CIT sought to develop courses that challenge these students and equip them with vital industry skills.

Rose McGrath, Head of Media Communications in CIT said: “As a third level institute that has trained Ireland’s leading artists for the last 100 years, CIT CCAD has prided itself on fostering an innovative learning environment that best positions our students for the workplace of the future.

“However, in recent times outdated technology has meant we have been unable to meet the needs of students and teachers who increasingly undertake intensive VR projects as part of their digital media and e-learning curriculum.

“Our partnership with Dell has proved pivotal in enabling our students to be more creative and use VR to push the boundaries of what they can do with graphics. Without the improved performance from the Dell workstations and Alienware gaming desktops, we wouldn’t have been able to regain 40 minutes of classroom instruction time every day.”

In marking today’s news, Aisling Keegan, Vice-President and General Manager of Dell EMC Ireland, said: “At Dell, we are committed to preparing the future workforce by using the latest technology to spark creativity within the classroom. With 90% of tomorrow’s jobs requiring digital skills, third-level institutions in Ireland must have the tools at their disposal to drive digital transformation.

“By leveraging our latest portfolio of devices, Dell has empowered a creative and immersive teaching environment that is producing impressive academic results. Students have used our devices to create projects ranging from therapeutic activity–based video games to assist patients with Parkinson’s disease, to a VR immersive programme that helps prepare individuals in prison for release.

“CIT should be commended for its leadership in digital transformation. This is an example of third level institutions looking to opportunities unlocked by emerging technologies to prepare the workers of the future. By forging an ambitious strategy for change and embracing technology to make that strategy a reality, Dell and CIT can enhance learning experiences and improve student outcomes both now and into the future.”

Yondr launches platform featuring brand new courses and editorial on VR. #VRTL #VR #Yondr

VRTL has launched its course platform to help video professionals and filmmakers as well as virtual reality enthusiasts around the globe learn about VR.

A brand-new field, virtual reality is starting to take off. Last year saw a production (Spheres) command a seven-figure deal for the first time. Hollywood A-listers are starting to dabble in VR, including Alejandro G. Iñárritu who won an Oscar for the virtual reality project Carne y Arena in 2018.

While there are still milestones to overcome, VR/AR is on the verge of going mainstream with the convergence of the smartphone, mobile VR headset and AR glasses into a single XR wearable. This will necessitate significant and meaningful VR content and the talent to produce it.

With few schools offering instruction in the new medium, VRTL steps up to the plate with courses designed to help those curious about VR or those wanting to make the transition from video or traditional filmmaking.

VRTL is a both an online editorial magazine and education platform. The Academy offers several types of courses ranging from introductory to hands-on skill courses, all led by accomplished professionals and/or award-winning creators. The Magazine runs stories, profiles and interviews with international makers & creators and hosts podcasts with top leaders in the industry, such as Nicolás Alcalá, Liz Rosenthal, Canaan Rubin, to name a few.

Magazine articles and podcasts are free and the Academy uses a pay-per-course model with special plans for schools & large corporations.

VRTL is a new venture of yondr, an immersive media agency from Beveren, Belgium founded by Dave Roox, Mathias Van Dosselaer, and Pieter Van Leugenhagen. Yondr has been a VR pioneer since 2014 and the Academy was built as an internal onboarding tool to develop VR skills currently lacking in the marketplace.

After discussions at more than 20 global events, colleagues and competitors from media, entertainment and advertising showed interest in yondr’s concept for knowledge development. VRTL was then conceived as a full-fledged brand, with a separate user experience and business model to meet the industry need.

Co-Founder Dave Roox says, “We want to help VR creators not make the same mistakes we did. By providing guidance from the best, accomplished professionals on storytelling, technique and workflow, we hope to prepare VR makers the world over in this exciting new medium.”

“The market will continue to expand,” believes Co-Founder Pieter Van Leugenhagen, “with standalone VR headsets like Oculus Quest offering more freedom and generating more interest in the creative possibilities.” The need for expertise in how to transfer skills from the traditional video to VR/360 will grow, too. “VRTL will help with high-quality content and a great look and feel that is both affordable and easily accessible.”

Van Leugenhagen is at SXSW in Austin, Texas to launch VRTL during the virtual reality section of the film track at the world’s largest innovation festival.

Review – The future of gaming is here with #ZeroLatency. #VR #ZeroLatency #Gaming

I have been a huge of VR fan since inception and having worked on some really cool projects including science,health,fitness and more over the years alongside trying out the latest hardwear too it had me sold.. However it has died to some extent over the last year or so and I lost interest mainly now because the focus on AR MR and AI which is fine and great but VR has much more to offer than one might seem and after testing out the latest idea called Zero Latency this changes everything in more ways than one and could be the next big thing…

Zero Latency officially opened on Wednesday and due to work commitments I could not make it in before the opening day and boy if there is a time to say “better late than never” this is it. I arrived in anyhow on the launch day and it was an experience I will not forget in a hurry and it is not often I get to say that something new in tech is mind blowing.

Zero Latency is based in Sandyford Dublin which for some might be a distance for some to travel but it will be worth it,trust me and it is a free roam VR environment with proprietary games, this is a custom built setting with the best equipment there is at hand and it also has miles of CAT 6 cable from talking to the owner RONAN CUNNINGHAM afterwards who shared some insights and thoughts about going forward and indeed the idea itself and all in which I agree on and looking ahead this is an exciting idea on many fronts.

On arriving you will be greeted by the team and you will sign in and from even here its technical with cool looking tablets and a cool interface yet simple then you get a session with on safety your Leader which is all pretty simple and straight forward yet worth noting as this is really immersive and there is good reason for the age cap at under 13s You will see some health clauses but nothing to serious and you are good to go so just be wise and adhere to the briefing for your own good.

We tried two games on the night and even the basic game left me leaving with a smile on how good it was executed.   So the equipment is whats next.. You get the best there is A Backpack,VR headset, Controller and Headphones which all work together quite well with great sound,feedback and makes it feel like you are there..

Once suited and booted you are good to go..  You walk into the arena and when the headsets are turned on begin to be amazed……

First up was Engineerium which reminded me of Kula World for some reason but this is a walking adventure and puzzle experience set on a fantastical ancient alien world, suspended above an ocean, where gravity does not function as expected.

Walk among flying whales and parrot rays and connect the platforms to progress through the puzzle. Colourful characters and bright, friendly music accompany you on the journey. Teamwork is key in this unique virtual reality game that lets you walk up and down ramps and twisty, curvy walls, defying gravity. Engineerium is suitable for all ages and is the first game to use VR to experience physics-based puzzles. For me this game is the ideal entry level experience as it will give you a feel for VR if you have not tried it and you would be surprised how many have not and if you are not sold after this game,you need to get out some more… Given how this game looks simplistic its how immersive it is and how you react to the environment around you its just great..

Second game we tried was Zombie Survival – Your team is trapped, bunkered in a fort, amidst the chaos brought on by a zombie outbreak. A rescue team is on its way but you must defend the fort and hold on until they arrive. You and your team must put down wave after wave of zombies and rebuild barriers to protect yourselves while you wait. Again this is like any FPS game but this is more a team event rather than a single player.  You get to experience close up encounters with Zombies go up and down elevators and use multiple weapons with great accuracy I might add and overall a really enjoyable game..In this game communication with your team is important

When you are done you get a debrief/rundown of your scores on screen in another room on the way out and not only that you get these emailed to you so you can keep tabs and improve the next time around again this is in a stylish setting and overall pretty cool..

Why is this better than gaming at home??

OK I was once a HUGE gaming fan and now have little time to do it but do get some hours in on the weekends and I still actually use the Nintendo Wii for fitness and a non lazy couch approach,not that there is anything wrong with it that’s just my opinion..This is a great idea for getting out and a way of getting exercise too and in today’s world it gives the social element too it and you will not realise how much running and walking around you will do playing these games where as you can to an extent in your house, Your gaming space at home is no match for this full stop.. You could argue you can communicate today whilst gaming online but that is a moot point in my book because we are too busy with our heads shoved into a TV screen or mobile phone this idea gets  you out and face to face and also there is an exercise element thrown in.. Trust me its worth it..

The Price..

OK so you will hear the cheapskates whinge and moan because its €39 to play.. Get a grip folks.. This is the only experience of its kind here in Ireland simple as that. This is a new experience and perhaps not so much for current gamers but once you try it you will want more, For those who have not tried VR this will open up your mind as to what the future has on offer and what you have missed since VR came to fruition, Zero Latency is on the cusp of something bigger and better and mark my words when you try this you will thank me for it…So get out of your screens and get social,enjoy and exercise whilst at it..

ZERO LATENCY – https://zerolatencyvr.ie/

 

 

Irish Virtual Reality Team Scoops Prestigious Education Award in Dubai. #Edtech #IrishBiz #VirtualReality #AR

Irish virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) software firm, Immersive VR Education (IVRE), was announced as the winner of the Best Digital VR/AR Product at last night’s GESS Education Awards in Dubai. The Waterford-based company scooped the prestigious accolade for their work in developing their ENGAGE platform, an online virtual social learning and presentation platform. ENGAGE is a powerful virtual reality collaboration and creation tool, that allows educators and corporate trainers to host meetings, classes, private tutorials, training sessions and presentations with people from all over the world, participating in a safe, virtual, multi-user environment.

The GESS Education Awards are accolades of excellence that highlight and reward the quality and diversity of educational products, resources, services and people, as well as celebrate the best educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession.

VR Education beat off stiff competition from hundreds of other award entrants and nominees to take home the prize, which was announced last night at a ceremony at the H Hotel, Dubai. The ceremony was part of the GESS Education Expo and Conference Dubai – a 3-day event which drew over 15,000 of education professionals from 92 countries together to hear inspirational talks and speakers, and take part in dynamic, hands-on workshops from global industry leaders and influential local practitioners.

Speaking of the win David Whelan, CEO and Co-founder of VR Education,

“Huge strides have been made in recent years in education technology and to have our role in this movement recognised by our industry peers and by the people we hope will utilise our creations, is hugely gratifying.

We believe so strongly in the role of VR in education. And we have put so much hard work into bringing our ENGAGE platform to fruition – we have strived to develop a best-in-class product and we see this win as a confirmation of that.

Our ENGAGE platform aims to fully immerse the user into their learning experience, in order to increase learning retention and engagement. It will allow people to receive the best education, from the best educators from around the world, all from the comfort of their own home using virtual reality”.

David Whelan, CEO and Sandra Whelan, COO, Immersive VR Education.
Picture by Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

Be ENGAGED

ENGAGE (See Appendix) is an online virtual social learning and presentation platform. It is a powerful virtual reality collaboration and creation tool, that allows educators and corporate trainers to host meetings, classes, private tutorials, training sessions and presentations with people from all over the world, participating in a safe, virtual, multi-user environment.

It is designed to either complement and enhance classroom teaching, or for use in a standalone environment, providing distance learners with access and opportunities to connect at a new level with their fellow students.

The Power of Ed Tech

Mr. Whelan spoke of the exciting future ahead for ed tech,

“Recent studies have shown the use of VR in education has a positive impact on knowledge retention and actually improves the learning experience overall. We are only at the cusp of the ed tech revolution and the possibilities and permutations of how technology can shape the education of future generations is endless. A 2016 report from Goldman Sachs predicts $300 million in revenue for VR/AR educational software in 2020, and that figure is expected to grow to $700 million by 2025.

The developments in automation and innovative technologies within the educational sphere are progressing at a rate of knots and a commonality we find in these advancements is that ed tech has the potential to immerse the student further into the learning experience than ever before – building on and complementing more traditional methods rather than replacing what has gone before.

ENGAGE is the perfect example of this – it has the potential to transform distance learning – taking the conceptual to the practical with the touch of a button.”

Irish Virtual Reality Company Scoops Prestigious Television Accolade. #VR #VirtualReality

A VR experience film created by Immersive VR Education, an Irish virtual/augmented reality software outfit, run by Sandra & David Whelan, has won the award for the best Interactive experience at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Northern Ireland Programme Awards 2018, which took place on Thursday night at the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) in Belfast.

The wife-husband team attended the ceremony, along with colleagues from the BBC team, and were presented with the award at a star-studded bash – beating stiff competition from 360 Productions, who were the other finalists shortlisted in the category.

The RTS Programme Awards span all the genres of television programming, recognising exceptional actors, presenters, writers and production teams as well as the programmes themselves. The RTS Awards seek to recognise programmes which have made a material and positive contribution to their genre.

 L to R: Bronagh Waugh, Actress; Warren Bell, BBC Rewind; David Whelan, Immersive VR Education; Jeremy Biggerstaff from Flint Studios . Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

 

A Winning Creation: “1943: Berlin Blitz”

In February of this year, the Waterford-based company won a commission from the BBC Northern Ireland’s ‘Rewind’ archive innovation team, in conjunction with the BBC’s central VR Hub, to work on the creation.

“1943: Berlin Blitz” puts viewers in the shoes of BBC war correspondent Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, and allows them to retrace his journey on a genuine bombing raid to Berlin at the height of the Second World War. The creation takes the viewer into the belly of a Lancaster bomber high over Berlin, with anti-aircraft shells bursting all around, while Wynford’s dramatic commentary vividly captures both the danger and the excitement of the bombing raid.

Speaking of the win David Whelan, CEO & Co-founder of Immersive VR Education,

“Winning this award has taken us to another level in terms of what our company has achieved to date. Looking out from the stage last night at some of the biggest names in the TV and broadcasting industry was surreal, and to know that we were up there because of something we developed from scratch was tremendously gratifying and, in all honesty, quite emotional”.

David spoke of the work undertaken by the Immersive VR Team to bring the Berlin Blitz experience to life,

“From inception to creation the project took 6 of the company’s 34-person team 4 months in total to build!

The beginning project has been hugely exciting for us & working with the BBC VR Hub was a fantastic experience. Initiatives like this really allow us to move forward on the primary goal of the company, which is to bring immersive VR technology to distance learning and to transform how people all over the world learn and experience events both past and present”.

Sandra Whelan, COO & Co-founder of Immersive VR Education, described the process,

“To create the experience, the team gathered hundreds of photographs of Lancaster bombers and all of the original mission data in order to recreate the historic event. We pretty much recreated the mission with everything being historically accurate, right down to the smouldering Berlin landscape below.”

Immersive VR Education used BBC Archive footage of the original radio broadcast of Wynford Vaughan-Thomas’ report that went out over the airwaves on 4 September 1943, just a few hours after the Lancaster Bomber plane landed back at RAF Langar in Nottinghamshire.

The Lancaster was the most successful heavy bomber employed by the RAF in World War Two and, along with the Spitfire, became something of a British icon in the wake of the war. More than 7,000 of the planes were built, flying upwards of 150,000 sorties.

Finally VR is Accessible To All. #VR #6DoF #VirtualReality #VRCraftworks

I have been a fan of VR since inception and when it launched it took off like a speeding bullet for a year or two then things became slack as a whole and new apps tapered off and it was looking gloomy with AR becoming the main focus, However some companies continue to bring goods to the table such as VRCraftworks.

VRCraftworks have brought us some really great apps since they launched and I have been following them since. Cast your mind back to Quark Expeditions and VR Drop and share for example and how this company works.

Today Jack Maddalena has made an announcement which is welcome in the VR community which will transform brands ability to offer a high-quality experience via your smartphone,effectively meaning you do not need to go out and spend big money on other hardwear which can be costly as we know and this also provides 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF).

Jack says…

For some time, brands have wanted to engage customers with a high-quality VR experience, but consumer access to required hardware is limited (content distribution).

To bridge the gap, we have created software that uses a smartphone and its camera to deliver a high-quality immersive VR experience. The 6 degrees of freedom is vital to allow freedom of movement in a 3-dimensional space.

Via a branded app consumers can engage with brands in an exciting and engaging way from their home, office, in-store anywhere.

Check out the reactions here below in this clip.

For more info and to keep up to date see https://www.vrcraftworks.com/