Interesting developments in virtual reality…..
Facebook acquires virtual reality company Oculus VR for $2 billion
The Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) goggles were developed during a Kickstarter campaign, one of the most successful ever. When you wear the headset goggles, you are immersed in a virtual world (eg. a computer game running on your computer) – and you interact with that world as if you were actually there. Currently, developer kits for the Oculus Rift are available and now Facebook has bought the company. Zuckerberg says he wants to “make the Oculus a platform for many other experiences” – including classroom use, medical consultations and sport. The Oculus team believe that virtual reality has the “potential to transform the way we learn, share, play and communicate”. Some say Facebook is betting on virtual reality replacing smartphones & other mobile devices.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/facebook-oculus_n_5030801.html
Here at Dickson College in the ACT, Maker culture is thriving. Our innovative IT & Engineering teacher Andrew Moss is using the Oculus Rift developers’ kit with students in years 11 & 12. They are adding webcams so that the Oculus can film where they look and then turn this into virtual reality. The Oculus might also be used with the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) program. The students demonstrated the Oculus and the 3D printer as part of our United Nations International Day of Happiness celebrations on 20 March. I had a turn with the Oculus goggles and they were awesome!! You really felt immersed in a virtual world – in this case, a rollercoaster ride. Could be quite addictive!
Video using Oculus Rift in Skyrim game (impressive!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7n5kRRHDpw
Other videos (including satire): http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=oculus+rift&sm=3
Will Facebook just turn the Oculus headset into another device for mining personal information and selling advertising? Many supporters of Oculus Rift are less than impressed at the Facebook acquisition. Minecraft creator Markus Persson has decided against using Oculus in the game, because Facebook creeps him out. Check out the GIF haha: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/26/oculus-rift-facebook_n_5034699.html
Facebook begins its quest to replace reality: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/facebook-oculus-vr_n_5031089.html
Exciting times!