Intel announces its new wireless VR headset and Holographic being available to all Windows 10 users. Intel throws their hat into the VR game with the new Project Alloy
(Photo from Intel)
After so many promises from sci-fi films, it seems virtual reality is finally here - and with it a new HMI everyone wants a part of. So many companies are releasing their own headsets, Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive are being joined by a staggering number of alternative. While each device is taking VR to the next level, there's still one thing that gets in their way: wires. Neither one of the headsets are completely wireless and can break the VR experience when you trip on them. Intel is looking to change that with their newly announced Project Alloy, an all in one VR headset that doesn't need to be plugged in to a computer or phone.
So if it doesn't need to be plugged in, how does it work? All the computer's power is located in the Alloy Head-Mounted Device (HMD), which allows you to roam around untethered. The headset tracks the room on its own along with your fingers to interact with virtual objects. And to make sure you don't embarrass yourself by walking into a wall, the device also has collision detection and avoidance. There's a camera letting you see other people and objects in a room. This is part of Intel's “merged reality” effort, which combines VR and augmented reality for a single experience.
In terms of software, Intel plans on making its Alloy hardware specifications and APIs open source within the next year. With the open source software, developers and Intel partners can create their own branded products from the Alloy design starting next year. Along with this, Microsoft's Windows Holographic platform will play a key role with Alloy hardware. Along with the new VR headset, Intel had other big news at their Developer Forum. Starting next year, the Holographic platform will be available to all Windows 10 PCs.
Executive VP of Microsoft's Windows and Devices group, Terry Myerson, confirmed the news at Intel's Developer Forum. The Windows Holographic shell is Microsoft's new experience for multi-tasking in mixed reality and blends 2D and 3D apps at the same time. It also supports a range of 6 degrees of freedom devices. What does this mean for Windows 10 users? All mainstream computers will soon have holographic or mixed reality capabilities. This will make the PC compatible with HoloLens and Project Alloy. The company released an impressive demo of what Windows Holographic can do.
With these VR projects on the rise, it seems VR is here to stay. Granted, it may not work as well as promised in demos, but it should provide an interesting experience. It also makes you question are there any dangers attached to VR? Watching the demo where a woman takes care of simple tasks in VR makes you wonder if it's going to be too easy to get lost in the rift. Will we need VR to do things as simple as opening an app? Is this the next stage for industry AR/VR - using machines with a AR overlay? We'll have to wait and see what the future has in store.
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