LIFESTYLE: innovation
SAMSUNG GEAR VR
OCULUS RIFT The Oculus Rift began as a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter back in 2012, with the aim of raising $250,000, and ended up being acquired by Facebook for $2 billion. Now Oculus VR has finally hit the market, albeit in limited quantities, with more shipments planned for August. Unlike many latecomers to virtual reality, the Oculus team has had years to fine-tune the design of the Rift headset itself, and it shows. The hefty price tag (€699 to Irish customers without shipping and taxes) is undoubtedly the biggest obstacle keeping more people from getting the chance to try virtual reality how it’s intended to be experienced. But like the first computers or smartphones, the cost of the headset will only go down over time. Available at www.oculus.com/ en-us/rift
GOOGLE CARDBOARD The perfect starter kit to experience virtual reality on your smartphone. www.google.com/ get/cardboard/ get-cardboard
InBUSINESS | Q2 2016
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So quickly is the ARVR technology space heating up, that the Samsung Galaxy virtual reality headset already feels like old news. Nonetheless, at €99 it remains the affordable option for virtual reality lovers. Compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 smartphone as well as newer devices, the headset allows users to explore a complete 360 degree view. Overall, it’s a step in the right direction but is more an indicator of what’s to come. Available at www.oculus.com/en-us/gear-vr
Digital Digest Fáilte Ireland has unveiled its new 360° views of the Wild Atlantic Way which it says will add another level of immersion for visitors researching the destination. A number of activities, including surfing under the Cliffs of Moher, are now all available on virtual reality apps including LittleStar and Samsung Milk VR.
Sony has announced that PlayStation’s virtual reality headset will go on sale in October priced at about €400. The technology giant first unveiled its VR system in 2014 under the name Project Morpheus.
Searches for “VR porn” have increased 100-fold from November 2014 through April 2016, according to Google Trends data. That represents a growth of 9,900 per cent in 17 months.
Estate agency Sherry FitzGerald is to start using VR technology to enable prospective house buyers to view properties. Using the Samsung Gear VR headset, they will start with Rokeby Park development in Lucan Village, Dublin.
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