Facebook Releases Virtual Reality Software
Facebook has unveiled the first virtual reality version of its software.
Mark Zuckerberg showed off the firm's first attempt at social software for the Oculus Rift headset at the Oculus Connect conference in San Francisco.
He also revealed the firm was developing a new midrange VR headset, and said its eventual aim was a pair of Virtual Reality(VR) and Augmented Reality(AR) sunglasses.
The new software allows people to join the same virtual space, and do everything from watch a video to be transported to the surface of Mars.
Zuckerberg was able to transport participants to live video feeds of his office and home, and even call his wife - all in a virtual world.
He then took out a virtual selfie stick to snap a picture - and sent it to his Facebook page with a single click.
He also used Oculus Touch, the firm's soon to be released 3D controller, to change his avatar's emotion - and Facebook said in future versions facial tracking could do this automatically, letting you look surprised, happy or confused in VR.
Mark Zuckerberg showed off the firm's first attempt at social software for the Oculus Rift headset at the Oculus Connect conference in San Francisco.
He also revealed the firm was developing a new midrange VR headset, and said its eventual aim was a pair of Virtual Reality(VR) and Augmented Reality(AR) sunglasses.
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| The first virtual family portrait: Mark Zuckerberg showed off the firm's software for the Oculus Rift headset at the Oculus Connect conference in San Francisco. |
Zuckerberg was able to transport participants to live video feeds of his office and home, and even call his wife - all in a virtual world.
He then took out a virtual selfie stick to snap a picture - and sent it to his Facebook page with a single click.
He also used Oculus Touch, the firm's soon to be released 3D controller, to change his avatar's emotion - and Facebook said in future versions facial tracking could do this automatically, letting you look surprised, happy or confused in VR.
'We should build software and experiences that follow the way our minds work and process the world,' Zuckerberg said.
'Virtual reality is the perfect platform to put people first because of presence.
'The point is we have this space and we can do anything in it,' he said.
Facebook is spending $50m to develop third party VR software, Zuckerberg said, as well as working on its own projects.
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| 'Why did you make me look like a young version of Justin Timberlake,' Zuckerberg exclaimed as he donned the headset and saw his own avatar. |
'The magic of VR software is this feeling of presence,' he said.
'Building this is the single thing I am most excited about. '
The Oculus Rift's eagerly awaited Touch controller is set to go on sale next month, Zuckerberg revealed.
Costing $199, it will allow users to 'touch' and control objects in the virtual world.
Speaking at the Oculus Connect conference, Zuckerberg also revealed over a million headsets now use VR products.
'The next phase of VR is building great software experiences,' he said.
'We're here to make VR the next major computing platform, and at Facebook we're really commited to this, said Zuckerberg.
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| Zuckerberg was also able to transport people to his office for a meeting. |
'This is really happening.'
'I'm an engineer, and I think you can take anything out there, and make it better.
'We know where we want to improve, its this feeling of real presence, we want lighter, smaller hardware than can do AR and VR
Oculus also revealed users will be able to create their own avatars to appear on screen, and even create virtual rooms to chat to them.
Oculus Avatars will be able to be used in existing apps and new ones such as a virtual room the first revealed.
'With more than one billion permutations available—from unique textures to clothing, accessories, and more—you can build something that truly represents your own style,' the firm said.
Avatars will be available for Rift at Touch launch and for mobile in early 2017.
The firm also said it will begin selling new sensors that allow users to experience VR at 'room scale', turning their entire living room into a play space.
'We've also created a room-scale option with Touch, using a third sensor for those with enough space,' it said.
The firm also said it is developing its own VR web browser.
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| Zuckerberg also said Oculus was developing a new, wireless mid range headset to bridge the gap between the Rift and Gear VR. |
The virtual reality headset launched earlier this year.
The headset from the Facebook-owned firm comes with a price tag of £549, while it costs $599 in the US.
The company offers demos at numerous retailers so that potential buyers can try it out before committing with their hard-earned cash.
Every Rift comes with the VR platform game Lucky's Tale, as well as hundreds of free 3D 360 videos, plus access to the rapidly expanding selection of VR games and videos on the Oculus Store.
Demo titles available at launch will include, Emmy award-winning VR film Henry, planetary experience Farlands and thrill-seeking The Climb.
Buyers can check that their current PC is up to the task of running Oculus' VR software using the firm's online compatibility tool.
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