<h2>The Dumbest Thing</h2>
Jak Wilmot, the co-founder of Atlanta-based VR content studioDisrupt VR, spent 168 consecutive hours in a VR headset — that&#8217;s a full week — pent up in his apartment.
&#8220;This is quite possibly the dumbest thing I&#8217;ve ever done, but welcome to a week in the future,&#8221; he said in a video about the experiment.
To make the experience even more futuristic, Wilmot livestreamed the entire week on Twitch late last month, later uploading a wrapup video on his entire week on YouTube.
<iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BGRY14znFxY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The rules were simple: he could switch from a computer-based Oculus headset to a different, untethered headset for thirty seconds while his eyes were closed. His windows were blacked out, he said, so that his physical body didn&#8217;t have to rely on the daylight-dependent circadian rhythm.
His more mobile VR headset had a built in camera in the front, so that he was able to &#8220;see&#8221; his physical surroundings — but not directly with his own eyes.
<h2>&#8220;Everything is in the Headset&#8221;</h2>
Wilmot worked, ate and exercised inside virtual reality. Sleeping in the headset turned out to be &#8220;more comfortable&#8221; than Wilmot anticipated, though his eyes burned a bit.
&#8220;If one is feeling stressed, they can load into a natural environment for ten minutes and relax,&#8221; he said in the video. &#8220;If one is feeling energetic, they can dispel energy in a fitness game — these are like the new rules of the reality I&#8217;ve thrown myself in. Everything is in the headset.&#8221;
<h2>VR Connection</h2>
Wilmot believes that virtual reality is what you make it. If you want to be alone, you can spend time by yourself in a gaming session, slaying dragons in Skyrim VR. Or you can chose to join the cacophony of VRChat — a communal free-for-all multiplayer online platform that allows you to interact with avatars controlled by complete strangers.
&#8220;VR is stepping into the shoes of someone else, or stepping into a spaceship and talking to friends,&#8221; said Wilmot. &#8220;It&#8217;s very easy to find your tribe, to make friends, to communicate with others through a virtual landscape, where its no longer through digital window [like a monitor], but actually being there with them. To me that&#8217;s what VR is — connection.&#8221;
<h2>Escaping Virtual Reality</h2>
After seven days of living inside the headset, Wilmot took off the goggles and relearned what it&#8217;s like to live in the real world.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Experiment_01&#8230; 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚
Subject Status&#8230; 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 <a href="https://t.co/HC0Jqb3aZq">pic.twitter.com/HC0Jqb3aZq</a>
&mdash; jak (@JakWilmot) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakWilmot/status/1100818652369207298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Apart from slight dizziness and some disorientation, he came back to normal almost instantly.
One major advantage to not living inside a VR headset: &#8220;oh my gosh,&#8221; he said, &#8220;the graphics are so good.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://vrscout.com/news/guy-is-spending-full-week-in-vr/">This Guy Is Spending A Full Week In VR, For Science</a> [VR Scout]
More on virtual reality: <a href="https://futurism.com/digisexuals-tech-replacing-human-intimacy">Sex Researchers: For Many, Virtual Lovers Will Replace Humans</a>

Inside virtual reality, you're never alone.

This guy spent a whole week In a VR headset

A Week in VR

Jak Wilmot, co-founder of Disrupt VR, an Atlanta-based VR content studio, spent 168 consecutive hours in a VR headset, locked up in his apartment.

This Guy Spent a Whole Week In a VR Headset

"This is quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever done, but welcome to a week in the future."

<h2>High-End VR</h2>
The future of VR is bright. Virtual reality headsets are becoming increasingly affordable, and the technology has come a long way over the <a href="https://www.wired.com/2014/05/oculus-rift-4/">last eight years</a>.
And today, we get to experience the newest and greatest the VR world has to offer —if you can afford it: the $5,800 XTAL headset by VR startup VRgineers.
We first heard about the XTAL <a href="https://www.roadtovr.com/vrgineers-reveals-xtal-professionla-headset-price-release-date-weight/">earlier this year</a>, but a <a href="https://www.roadtovr.com/vrgineers-reveals-improved-xtal-professional-headset-wider-fov/">new and improved version</a> is about to make its debut at the <a href="https://www.ces.tech/">Consumer Electronics Show</a> — the world&#8217;s <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/ces-2018">biggest tech show</a> — in January, TechCrunch <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/11/vrgineers-looks-to-set-a-new-gold-standard-with-their-5800-vr-headset/">reports</a>.
<h2>The XTAL</h2>
The Prague-based startup&#8217;s headset features some amazing specs: two Quad HD (2560 x 1440 resolution) OLED (organic LED) displays, and an impressive 180-degree field-of-view.
VRgineers touts the XTAL&#8217;s lenses and displays to be &#8220;best-in-class&#8221; on its <a href="https://vrgineers.com/xtal/">website</a>, while promising &#8220;no blurring&#8221; thanks to the headset&#8217;s new-and-improved 180 degree field of view.
Blurring around the edges of the lenses is a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/comments/7md4c9/is_the_vive_supposed_to_be_blurry_around_the/">common issue</a> with conventional VR headsets. By increasing the field of view to 180 degrees, the XTAL could reduce that effect substantially.
Users will also be able to track their hands while wearing the headset thanks to integrated <a href="https://www.leapmotion.com/">Leap Motion sensors</a>. Did I mention the headset itself is an <a href="https://roadtovrlive-5ea0.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/vrgineers-xtal-10.jpg">absolute unit</a>?
<h2>VR Luxury</h2>
$5,800 is pretty steep for a virtual reality headset these days — Oculus Rift is planning to sell a standalone, but far less impressive headset <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/26/17906298/oculus-quest-santa-cruz-standalone-vr-headset-price-shipping">for just $399</a> as soon as next year.
So who&#8217;s it for? But at such a high price point VRgineers is targeting a professional audience, not your average gamer. The startup suggests that the XTAL could be used by automotive designers, and engineers on its website.
Will there be a future for high-end VR headsets? That will mostly be up to the enterprise market to decide.
READ MORE: <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/11/vrgineers-looks-to-set-a-new-gold-standard-with-their-5800-vr-headset/">VRgineers looks to set a new gold standard with their $5,800 VR headset</a> [TechCrunch]
More on VR headsets: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/facebook-oculus-patented-retina-resolution-vr-display">Facebook’s Oculus Just Patented a Retina-Resolution VR Display</a>

A 180 degree field of view could change everything.

This new $5,800 headset is the Rolls Royce of virtual reality

High-End VR

VRgineers's $5,800 virtual reality headset called XTAL features a pair of quad HD displays and a generous 180 degree field of view.

This New $5,800 Headset is the Rolls Royce of Virtual Reality

And it's an absolute beast.

Facebook could be working on a <a href="https://futurism.com/microsoft-is-working-to-make-virtual-assistants-more-multilingual-and-more-human/" target="_blank">virtual assistant</a>, along the lines of Siri and Alexa, for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. Over the weekend, an <a href="https://www.vrfocus.com/2017/08/is-facebook-creating-an-ai-assistant-for-oculus-rift/" target="_blank">anonymous Reddit user</a> posted details of the project, having supposedly been contracted to work as a tester.
The leaker claims that the software can be used to issue voice commands relating to the Rift&#8217;s capabilities, as well as Facebook activities like replying to messages or confirming attendance at an event. There&#8217;s also support for common virtual assistant functionality, like checking weather reports and sports results.
<figure id="attachment_97252" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-full wp-image-97252" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2017/08/oculus-rift.jpg" alt="virtual assistant facebook oculus rift virtual reality" width="700" height="394" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image Credit: Oculus</figcaption></figure>
Facebook has made no secret of the fact that the endgame of its <a href="https://futurism.com/facebook-is-investing-a-staggering-3-billion-in-virtual-reality/" target="_blank">massive investment in virtual reality</a> is to <a href="https://futurism.com/facebook-will-rolling-integration-oculus-platform/" target="_blank">integrate the technology</a> into its social media platform. A virtual assistant would be a much easier method of navigating Facebook than the current crop of VR controllers.
However, this information comes from an anonymous source on Reddit, so it should be taken with a grain of salt — especially since it references games that not received official Rift support, like Alien: Isolation. The user account, the original post, and a gallery of screenshots submitted as proof have now all been deleted.

The anonymous leak says voice commands would both control the Rift and carry out normal Facebook activities, like replying to messages.

Virtuality

An anonymous leaker has shared information about a new virtual assistant for the Oculus Rift that's supposedly being developed by Facebook. The leak fits with Facebook's goal of integrating virtual reality with its social media platform.

Facebook Might Be Working on a Virtual Assistant for the Oculus Rift

A virtual assistant would be better at navigating Facebook than current VR controllers.

Virtual Reality is a burgeoning technology in the field of gaming. And, just as developers are becoming more and more comfortable with the medium, the technology continues to keep pace with the kind of experiences gamers want to have.
Wilson&#8217;s Heart, the recent release of game studio Twisted Pixel, showcases the unique storytelling ability of virtual reality. Take a look at UploadVR&#8217;s glowing review for the new game. Beware, the video does disclaim that it may spoil some minor story elements.
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In the game, you play as Wilson, an older gentleman trapped in a sinister hospital. Joe Durbin of UploadVR describes the experience as &#8220;wickedly enjoyable.&#8221; He lauds the excellent visuals and intricate storytelling, which is aided by the voice acting of some of the biggest names in show business, like Alfred Molina (Spiderman 2), Rosario Dawson (Marvel&#8217;s The Defenders), and even Peter Weller of Robocop fame.
Virtual reality is not just restricted to be a futuristic toy, however. This new field of tech is also being used to <a href="https://futurism.com/get-ready-ridley-scott-making-terrifying-new-alien-vr-experience/?src=featured">enhance films</a>, <a href="https://futurism.com/videos/the-future-of-surgery-lies-within-the-world-of-vr/?src=featured">train better doctors</a>, and <a href="https://futurism.com/not-just-for-gaming-virtual-reality-meditation-helps-women-through-labor-pains/">help mothers relax</a> while giving birth.
Even the most advanced technologies are moving forward with the help of gaming. Developers are reaching out to popular games, like Super Smash Bros., to help <a href="https://futurism.com/3-ai-can-now-wipe-out-professional-super-smash-bro-players/">train artificial intelligence</a>.

Twisted Pixels' new game, Wilson's Heart, packs a narrative punch into a virtual reality experience like no other game before it.

Enter the Terrifying World of a New “Psychological Thriller” for VR

"It's scary, and bloody, and sometimes gross."

Make Your Virtual Reality Headset Wireless With This Attachment

Facebook founder and CEO <a href="https://futurism.com/?s=Mark+Zuckerberg" target="_blank">Mark Zuckerberg</a> announced that the company plans to invest more than $3 billion in the next 10 years to make virtual reality (VR) available on the platform, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/technology/mark-zuckerberg-oculus-trial-virtual-reality-facebook.html?_r=0" target="_blank">New York Times</a> reports. The &#8220;announcement&#8221; was made in the unlikeliest of situations: while Zuckerberg was testifying in federal court as part of a $2 billion intellectual property lawsuit between <a href="https://www.zenimax.com/" target="_blank">ZeniMax Media</a> and <a href="https://futurism.com/?s=VR" target="_blank">VR</a> giant <a href="https://www.oculus.com/" target="_blank">Oculus</a>.
Facebook&#8217;s acquisition of Oculus in March 2014 for $2 billion was the first step in Zuckerberg&#8217;s VR play. Since then, his social networking company has been working on ways to make VR available on its platform, beginning integration in March 2016 despite <a href="https://futurism.com/facebook-will-rolling-integration-oculus-platform/" target="_blank">skepticism</a> from Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey. Since then, not much has been said about the project, except for <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-shows-off-live-vr-virtual-reality-chat-with-oculus-rift/" target="_blank">the occasional demonstration</a> and those <a href="https://futurism.com/facebook-unveils-gesture-generated-virtual-reality-emojis/" target="_blank">VR emojis</a>.
Zuckerberg&#8217;s dreams of VR for everyone — everyone on Facebook, that is — could actually be a step in the right direction. While VR devices were initially built around gaming technology, applications have long since expanded into other fields. VR is changing <a href="https://futurism.com/htc-just-invested-9m-in-a-startup-that-uses-vr-to-improve-neurosurgery/" target="_blank">medical research</a>, <a href="https://futurism.com/armed-forces-using-combination-of-arvr-to-train-flight-medics/" target="_blank">military training</a>, and so much more. But essentially what virtual reality is doing is letting us see and interact with the world differently — be it by wandering <a href="https://futurism.com/tour-the-world-anytime-with-google-earth-vr/" target="_blank">Google Earth</a>, viewing forests from an <a href="https://futurism.com/this-vr-headset-lets-you-hear-and-see-nature-in-an-animals-perspective/" target="_blank">animal&#8217;s point of view</a>, or even just <a href="https://futurism.com/videos/explore-your-new-kitchen-with-the-ikea-vr-experience/" target="_blank">test driving our future kitchens</a>.
<figure style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img style="width: 591.5px;height: 443.625px" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2017/01/mark-zuckerberg-oculus-1.jpg" alt="Credits: Facebook" width="480" height="360" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Credits: Facebook</figcaption></figure>

While testifying in a federal lawsuit on the origins of Facebook-owned VR company Oculus, Mark Zuckerberg said he plans to invest $3 billion in VR technology in the next decade.
Zuckerberg hopes to make VR available to everyone, and with the tech being applied to many fields outside of gaming, that ubiquity may not be terribly far-fetched.

Facebook Is Investing a Staggering $3 Billion in Virtual Reality

Reality will never be the same.

<h2>Legit VR glasses</h2>
Virtual reality (VR) technology has been pretty much confined to an eyepiece and a room when it was first developed in almost the same way we experience it today. We&#8217;ve gone a long way from early VR tech to what we have now, but we still haven&#8217;t managed to ditch the glasses or some headset to experience virtual reality.
The <a href="https://futurism.com/?s=Oculus+Rift">Oculus Rift</a> has become the standard; it would seem. But a challenger is stepping up from a small booth at <a href="https://futurism.com/?s=CES+2017">this year&#8217;s CES</a>.
Introducing the Dlodlo V1 glasses. While it&#8217;s been around since the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/products/dlodlo-glass-v1/preview/">summer of 2016</a>, Dlodlo&#8217;s VR glasses are worth some attention. <a href="http://www.dlodlo.com/en/index">Dlodlo</a> is a China-based VR content platform, and their primary device is the <a href="http://www.dlodlo.com/en/v1-summary">V1</a>.
With a carbon fiber frame, the V1 weighs just 88-g and is incredibly thin at 16-mm for a VR device. It packs quite a punch, comparable to the Oculus Rift, offering a 2400 x 1200 resolution (1200 x 1200 per eye) with a 90Hz refresh rate.
&#8220;Based on the human eye imaging principle, the bionic optics design makes the FOV of Dlodlo V1 achieve 105°, allowing [for a] fully immersive VR experience,&#8221; <a style="background-color: white" href="http://www.dlodlo.com/en/v1-summary">according to Dlodlo</a>. The colors seem slightly duller compared to the Oculus, <a href="http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2017/01/09/this-glasses-sized-vr-headset-can-rival-the-oculus-rift/">reports </a><a href="http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2017/01/09/this-glasses-sized-vr-headset-can-rival-the-oculus-rift/">The Next Web</a>.
It can be connected to your computer at home or your phone for a more portable VR experience — with a 72 percent NTSC coverage. Currently, it&#8217;s compatible with SteamVR.
<figure id="attachment_67234" style="width: 867px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class=" wp-image-67234" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2017/01/15676-869148e9bdc952ebca937d7b0a7fae5d.jpg" alt="Image credit: Dlodlo" width="867" height="485" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image credit: Dlodlo</figcaption></figure>
<h2>A Preview of VR&#8217;s Future</h2>
It&#8217;s light, and it&#8217;s a pair of glasses, as opposed to the more cumbersome goggles. The V1 does away with the hassle of strapping a headset around your head. You can easily just put it away inside your backpack and bring it with you for a portable VR experience — assuming Dlodlo pushes through with its D1 smartphone gaming accessory.
&#8220;Quite frankly, I was surprised to see a prototype like this from a small unknown company rather than one of the bigger names,&#8221; <a href="http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2017/01/09/this-glasses-sized-vr-headset-can-rival-the-oculus-rift/">writes Napier Lopez</a>. &#8220;But if this kind of an experience is achievable in 2017, I can’t wait to see what’s in store the next few years.&#8221;
Dlodlo plans to launch the V1 later this year. When it does, it will change how we experience VR — making it lighter and friendlier, with a device that&#8217;s easy to put on and remove and that can be brought anywhere.

Dlodlo Reveals New Virtual Reality Glasses

A newly improved VR1 headset from Dlodlo was unveiled at CES 2017 more closely resembling a pair of sunglasses than the bulky goggles of the Oculus and Vive offerings.
The headset boasts technical specs comparable to the Oculus Rift, including 2400 x 1200 resolution, a 90 Hz refresh rate, and a 105 degree field of view.

/Oculus Rift

A Week in VR

This Guy Spent a Whole Week In a VR Headset

High-End VR

This New $5,800 Headset is the Rolls Royce of Virtual Reality

Virtuality

Facebook Might Be Working on a Virtual Assistant for the Oculus Rift

Virtuality

Enter the Terrifying World of a New “Psychological Thriller” for VR

Virtuality

Make Your Virtual Reality Headset Wireless With This Attachment

Virtuality

Facebook Is Investing a Staggering $3 Billion in Virtual Reality

Virtuality

Those Aren’t Sunglasses: Company Releases Ultra-Small VR Headset

Virtuality

Oculus Medium Lets You Sculpt Virtual Objects

Virtuality

V Is a Free Universal Dashboard for Virtual Reality

Virtuality

These Eight Games and Apps Are Free With Oculus Touch

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