(2016. 9. 18) The Pull (Stereoscopic 360° VR film)

2016. 9. 18. The Pull (Stereoscopic 360° VR film)

Gravity is not a very special thing to us, because it is a natural phenomenon in our daily life. However, what would it be like when gravity doesn’t work anymore. Let’s enter a world where the rules that bind us suddenly disobey. Everything around you moves strangely and the room you are staying is very colorful. This kind of awesome experience will be only possible in VR, right?

Channel:Quba Michalski

Watch on WAVRP: 

http://wavrp.com/

WAVRP is a curation service which introduces a selected VR video everyday!

Platform Trend Ⅲ: New VR platforms

The main part was content and platform from the VR industry policy which the government has announced. That means that we had quite an improvement in device or technology part but not in content and platform. So many companies actually started to make contents and platforms. Many experts are observing whether this VR market can grow up. But one more thing that we can watch is whether what kind of platform could seize the VR eco-system. More platforms of global companies have been newly released recently.

Google Daydream
We have introduced you about Google’s Daydream before. Daydream is a VR platform which Google is preparing and it will allow users to watch high-quality VR through Smartphone, HMD and controller.

<Credit: Google VR>

All Smartphones which has received Daydream ready certification are equipped with Daydream. Daydream ready is a system that provides certification to the qualified phones which is compatible with Daydream VR HMD. Google added ‘VR mode’ in their new OS called Android N and optimized other applications to VR. Through Daydream, users can use apps and contents easier because Google made Youtube, Street view, Google playstore, playmovies and Google photos into VR version. Furthermore, Google cooperate with other companies like Ubisoft or Netflix to make apps for Daydream.
Unfortunately Daydream is not available in previous smartphones that has not received Daydream ready certification.  ‘v20’ of LG electronics will mount Android 7.0N for the first time in domestic. Above this, Google will cooperate with other smartphone manufacturers which use Android OS for Daydream so you can refer this information if you were planning to buy a new smartphone.

<Credit: Google VR>

Samsung VR
The main platform of Gear VR is Oculus home. When you first use GearVR and put your smartphone in the HMD then you will hear a message saying “Please detach your smartphone and install the VR app”. At this time what you have to install is “Oculus app”. Like this, there was no platform which you can call it Samsung’s, but Samsung is preparing its own platform called ‘Samsung VR’ app. It is quite similar to Youtube and will become an open platform which users can upload a high-quality video freely.
 At first, however, Samsung will open contents by previously checking its violence or sexuality to provide a high-quality VR contents. You can use it in your smartphone through Google store but it is more efficient when you download the contents in Oculus home’s Samsung VR menu through GearVR.

<Credit: Google Image>

However, this is not the first time for Samsung to open a VR platform. In the end of 2014, when the first Gear VR was released, Samsung provide VR contents through its own VR platform called ‘milk VR’ which was expanded from Samsung’s own music streaming service ‘milk’. But it seems that it didn’t work that well. ‘Samsung VR’ which opens next month will only be available in Gear VR. Will Samsung take this strategy continuously or will they overcome this threshold.


Intel Project Alloy
The last platform that we will introduce you today is the hottest news these days. It’s Intel’s Project Alloy. Don’t you want to know what kind of platform it is which the King of computer has made?
In Intel developer Forum 2016 (IDF) which was held in Sanfrancisco on August 2016, they talked about the vision of IoT and device field and the role of Intel in expansion in Computer field. In this Forum they opened the all-in-one virtual reality solution ‘Project Alloy’.

<Credit: Intel>

Project Alloy provides a free movement as the PC is embedded in VR HMD. Project Alloy can provide mixed reality. This means that you can see your hand, friends and walls even though you are wearing a VR HMD. All this things are possible because of Intel’s technology. It doesn’t need an external sensor or camera in the place because of the real sense camera attached in HMD Project Alloy platform is predicted to be opened to the developers in 2017. So we should make our mind before it is released as we know that project Alloy will bring more surprises.

<Credit: Intel>

Today’s platforms were all about global company’s platform which has its own device and each of its strategy seem also different. There is a platform which is only available in its device but there is also a platform that is compatible with other devices. This make us think of IOS and Android which is walking a different way but competing all the time. So we can’t judge easily whether which way will go higher than others. We should watch together whether it will be a platform war or a symbiotic relationship.

Watch on WAVRP: 

http://wavrp.com/

WAVRP is a curation service which introduces a selected VR video everyday!

Platform Trend Ⅱ: VR contents platform

There are VR contents platform that provide not only various contents but also some solutions.
All about 360 videos: JAMONG
The beginning of Jamong is when Mr.Yoon, the representative of Jamong, learned about Oculus DK1. His initial plan was making a VR SNS based on image but he turned to VR videos. This is today’s Jamong that provide VR contents supply solution service, similar to Youtube, a video platform.

<Credit: Google Image>

VR video producers can open their channel in Jamong and if they upload their contents then users can watch it through the Jamong application. This is the way that you can use Jamong. Jamong has many advantages.
1. VR player development, CDN, Incoding, DB Administration, member management and contents sale are all available in Jamong.
2. Users can make a profit of their VR contents through contents sale, monthly fixed amount or donation not by commercial.
3. Jamong provides Android, IOS, Playstation VR, Oculus VR, Gear VR and also web platform.
4. Live VR broadcast is available.
11 channels and about 120 paid or free contents are uploaded in Jamong Android application until April 2016. Also, Jamong is selling VR contents for adults for the first time in Korea. Jamong is providing not only various solutions to the VR video producers but also many service like VR live broadcast to the users.

<Credit: Google Image>

 Furthermore, Jamong is preparing more technologies such as making the video keep playing while the user is watching a specific spot or making different story with various interactive elements like in Miyeonsi game (Girlfriend simulation game).
N-Star

<Credit: Nextcore homepage>

FX Gear and Nextcore made a VR HMD named Noon VR. FX Gear is a computer graphic company and work with Dreamworks, Bluesky, and Samsung electronics. The great advantage of FX Gear is known as graphic solution aiming Studios and IT manufacturers. Noon VR is a 3D HMD which is compatible with all kinds of smartphones. It has less sickness because of it tracks the user’s eye faster than other devices. Users can download Noon VR app for free in Google play or Apple app store. However, if you want to watch contents then you should put the activation code which is written in the manual of Noon VR HMD. Don’t forget that you can also watch your 2D videos which are saved in your smartphone through this device.

<Credit: N-Star>

FX Gear released a VR•AR platform called N-Star on May 2016. They wanted N-Star to be a VR video distribution channel like Youtube and then becoming an on•offline shopping service by making online virtual fitting shopping mall named ‘FITN shop’. Actually, N-Star is like Youtube, but the difference is that it is a VR media social platform based on real story made by each of users.
N-Star used Lee Jeein as a model who was a previous girl group member. In N-Star platform few VR videos about virtual dating, Interview and daily life of Miss Jeein is uploaded and received much attention from the people.
This seems similar to Africa TV in VR market. Can N-Star make a VR star similar to many BJ stars from Africa TV? It seems little bit hard, however, to make that kind of ecosystem because users need to know how to take 360 videos and they need to use Noon VR if they want to be a VR star. When people are more used to VR market then it could be a very attractive platform.

Others …

There are also many other platforms such as DOORIBUN which was made by Qplan, a digital marketing company, on June 2016. Dooribun produce various contents with stories or interactive contents and then they upload it on facebook, Youtube and Naver TV cast. Recently, they begin to publish a VR webtoon drama ‘Bodrwawer’ for the first time in Korea. Kukhan Seo who is the representative of the Qplan said that Dooribun will keep provide various VR video contents so that the VR content industry can grow. (Credit: Yeonhap news)
There are more platforms than Dooribun, such as VRN which deliver VR related news and WAVRP which curate VR videos. That means that many companies are concentrating on content market now. We wish VR contents of VR social channels to grow like previous SNS channels.

Watch on WAVRP: 

http://wavrp.com/

WAVRP is a curation service which introduces a selected VR video everyday!

Platform TrendⅠ: Hardware platform.

What is your first thought of the word “platform”? Train platform? Or Operation system like computer window? In IT industry the word ‘platform’ is used as the meaning of ‘An environment for multiple users to participate to exchange specific value.’(Credit: Chosun biz) Recently, Facebook, Google, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft are the successful companies by its platform strategy. These companies that have their own platform are very competitive these days. There are also many tries in VR market. Let’s dive in to this VR platform war!

Hardware platform: Oculus Rift / Samsung Gear VR / HTC Vive

Many VR HMDs from mobile HMD to PC HMD are coming out recently. Each of these devices has its own platform. They are using a strategy of monopolizing attractive contents so that users can buy its hardware. Therefore users are buying hardware not only because of hardware itself but to play a game through the hardware. 

Oculus Rift and Gear VR’s Oculus Home

There is a device that many developers are waiting for, Oculus Rift. Oculus has two type of HMD. One is Oculus Rift that can be used with High-end Computer and the other is Gear VR for Samsung’s smartphone made with Samsung electronics. These two hardware platform is relatively closed because it can be used only in its device and in case of Gear VR, it is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

<Credit: Oculus>

Also, Oculus tried to secure VR games which are only available for Oculus by investing to various game developers. Some of the users said about this that ‘Oculus is too relying on ‘Console Strategy’.

<Oculus Home/ Credit: Oculus>

Oculus Rift received attention for games but it also provides various media experience more than game such as VR cinema, community through Oculus home. Oculus home, an exclusive platform for Oculus, was opened on June 2015 and it starts automatically when you put Oculus Rift. You can buy more contents through the store. 

Samsung Gear VR

Samsung Gear VR is a mobile HMD made by Samsung and Oculus. You can use this HMD by fixing your smartphone to the device. Gear VR also use Oculus home as its platform. However, it only supports Samsung’s smartphone so users who don’t use Galaxy can’t use Gear VR. 

<Credit: Samsung electronics>

Steam VR of HTC Vive

<Credit: Google Image>

HTC Vive is a high-end PC HMD made by a Taiwan company HTC and Valve. According to Gamsutra, 49% of the developers who answered to the VR/AR innovation report survey which was first opened in VR developer’s conference (VRDC) preferred HTC Vive most. You can enjoy about 310 contents in HTC Vive through Valve’s “Steam VR”. Steam VR works best in HTC Vive and Oculus Rift but it is also compatible with other devices. 

Steam is already famous as game platform so it is a huge advantage for HTC Vive to use Steam VR as a platform. However, Many of Steam VR’s game is simple which will provide a nice experience for your friend who never experienced VR before. ‘The Lab’ which provides bunch of mini VR games in a bundle responds well to the users.

 <Credit: Google Image>

The platform of each device is all about contents rather than platform itself. They will try to make users to buy their devices by attractive contents. Oculus and HTC Vive are taking a different way. Oculus seems to be more closed than HTC Vive. Recently, however, there was an article titled ‘Oculus surrendered’. 

A program named ‘Revive’ appeared which make users available to play game which Oculus monopolized by paying amount of money in HTC Vive. The problem occurred when Oculus developed a new DRM patch to prevent the Revive program. However, as public opinion says that Oculus has lot their first intention, they announced that they will not check DRM and will open the ‘monopolized game’. 

The most representative example of opposition between closed and opened can be iOS and Android. We can’t judge whether which one is better because they are in a tight race. iOS has advantage of being high quality as it is closed and the advantage of Android can be Variety. 

It seems quite natural for companies to monopolize games to sell more of its hardware. So maybe it is not a matter of being closed or opened. The reason of many users’ opposition was probably because somebody took a different action after saying “VR market is more important than profit”. Let’s wait and watch how this market will move.

Watch on WAVRP: 

http://wavrp.com/

WAVRP is a curation service which introduces a selected VR video everyday!