The mysterious AVP cracks

To VR & AR enthusiasts.

Welcome today’s edition of Futurescape - a 3x deep-dive newsletter focused on what is happening in the Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) world.

Here is what we got today:

• OpenBCI’s VR headset

• Extended Reality Workplace (IBM)

• XREAL Air 2 Ultra AR glasses

NEWS

OpenBCI’s VR headset on your brain and body

OpenBCI is an open-source brain–computer interface platform, created by Joel Murphy and Conor Russomanno, after a successful Kickstarter campaign in late 2013.

In recent presentation, the company president Artuso and Russomanno took the stage together at Slush to unveil OpenBCI’s latest product: Galea Beta.

The headset is named after Gal Sont, an OpenBCI collaborator who passed away from ALS — combines a professional-grade VR/mixed reality headset (developed by Varjo) with an array of physiological sensors that measure a user’s heart, skin, muscles, eyes, and brain activity.

Although OpenBCI’s first product was a $300 electronic brain activity (EEG) starter kit, the Galea Beta is an enterprise solution going for $25,000.

OpenBCI expects to deliver the devices to the first customers in the second quarter of 2024, but the system is just a stepping stone to Galea Unlimited — while Galea Beta needs to be tethered to a PC.

OpenBCI’s goal is to make Galea Unlimited a “wearable computer,” with all of the processing happening on the device itself. 

Apple Vision Pro

The mysterious AVP cracks

Apple Vision Pro owners are experiencing mysterious cracks. The issue was first reported by MacRumours and it indicates that the cracks appeared suddenly for no apparent reason.

Redditors who took the discussion to r/VisionPro said they did not do anything to the device like dropping them to cause this crack. Some speculation indicates these cracks maybe caused due to charging.

Scape Bites

AVP for 3D music production - Some creators and musicians have started to serve up digital audio workstations (DAW) through the Vision Pro.

VR headset on ISS - An astronaut is seen wearing a VR headset on the International Space Station (ISS) It’s paired with a new exercise bike lets astronauts experience their favorite cycling routes on Earth.

HARDWARE

XREAL Air 2 Ultra AR glasses

Earlier last month,the Chinese mixed reality startup XREAL unveiled their latest AR glasses version dubbed XREAL Air 2 Ultra.

Here is a detailed analysis of the AR glasses.

Price tag: $699.0 on the company site

Display: Sony micro OLED panels with 1080p resolution per eye, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 500 nits brightness. This promises smooth visuals and clear content even in bright environments.

Immersion Control: This unique feature allows users to adjust the transparency of the lenses through electrochromic technology. This enables switching between seeing the real world clearly and achieving a more immersive, isolated AR experience.

Audio: Built-in speakers with spatial sound and directional audio technology aim to deliver an immersive audio experience while minimizing sound leakage.

Comfort: The Air 2 Ultra is marketed as the world's lightest AR glasses at 72 grams, and boasts features like a zero-pressure nose pad and balanced weight distribution for extended wearability.

Other features: Eye comfort certifications, compatibility with XREAL Beam for media streaming, and the ability to connect to handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck for an enlarged screen experience.

GAMING

COMPOUND on Valve Index VR headset

The game goes for $19.99 on Steam app store. It’s a randomized rogue-lite, free-roaming shooter for VR veterans. Below is the synopsis.

Synopsis

In the dystopian future of Compound, players face hostile robots and dangers within a sprawling complex. As the protagonist, players must navigate maze-like corridors, battling enemies and gathering resources.

Each playthrough offers unique challenges with procedurally generated levels and increasingly difficult foes. Combat is fast-paced and immersive in VR, requiring strategic thinking and reflexes to survive.

The game unfolds a compelling storyline through audio logs and environmental storytelling, revealing the facility's history. Players encounter epic boss battles as they delve deeper into the compound, with the fate of humanity at stake.

With retro visuals and challenging gameplay, Compound blends classic first-person shooter elements with immersive VR mechanics, promising hours of adrenaline-fueled action and exploration.

Reviews

RESEARCH

Extended Reality in Workplace (IBM)

A report from IBM Insitute of Business Value indicates that much needs to be done in integrating extended reality (XR) with the workplace. Here are some stats to note from the report;

Companies using AR have reported a 46 percent reduction in time to complete tasks, and average productivity improvements of 32 percent.

XR can have the greatest impact in three key areas: training, workflows, and employee engagement. Sixty-six percent of millennials say VR training will allow them to learn from anywhere, on their own time, and 73 percent say virtual sharing tools are important

Studies indicate that 44 percent of Millennials believe their current workplaces are not “smart” enough.

Case study - . An international shipping and logistics company increased productivity by 25 percent when it provided workers with AR glasses that display a digital pick list and direct them to the product or package location

APPS

Supernatural app on Quest

Supernatural is a VR fitness app designed for the Meta Quest headset (formerly known as Oculus Quest). It combines immersive virtual environments with high-energy workouts to make exercising engaging and fun.

Features

Workout Variety

Boxing and Flow workouts: Choose between boxing with virtual gloves or flowing movements with light-saber-like batons.

Multiple difficulty levels: Cater to different fitness levels with low, medium, and high-intensity options.

Meditation and stretching programs: Enhance recovery and mindfulness with guided sessions.

Immersive Experience

Real-world locations: Workout in stunning virtual landscapes like mountains, beaches, and more.

Music-driven gameplay: Hit targets and flow to the beat of a curated music library with various genres.

Motivational coaching: Get encouragement and guidance from expert coaches throughout your workout.

Additional Features:

Daily new workouts: Stay engaged with fresh challenges added every day.

Performance tracking: Monitor your progress with detailed workout stats and calorie burn.

Heart rate integration: Sync with a heart rate monitor (optional) for more accurate tracking.

Community features: Connect and compete with other users for extra motivation (planned future feature).

Getting Started with Supernatural

Download the App: Visit the Meta Quest app store and download the Supernatural app.

Set Up an Account: Create a Supernatural account or log in with your existing account.

Pair your Headset: Pair your Meta Quest headset with the app for a seamless experience.

Start your free trial: Supernatural offers a 30-day free trial, allowing you to test the app before committing to a subscription.

Choose your workout: Explore the library of boxing and flow workouts, selecting one based on your fitness level and preference.

Get ready to sweat: Follow the on-screen instructions and guidance from the virtual coach to complete the workout.

WORKPLACE

MEME OF THE DAY

That is it for today.

Thank you for reading!

Futurespace team