Google Daydream View

We have already talked about Google’s Daydream about few months ago. You might have waited for a long time and some of you might think ‘Already? Time flies!’ Google unveiled its new product line such as new chromecast Ultra, Google Home,which is a Smart home device and speaker, Google Wifi Routers and also Google Daydream View and pixel phone through their unveiling events in 4th October in San Francisco.

[Google’s new products / Credit: Google image]

It mostly has a neat design and it is also practical. Among these gorgeous products, we would like to examine deeply about the Daydream View, Controller and the pixel phone which is the first Daydream-ready phone.

Fabric HMD Daydream View
As we learned before, Daydream, which is Google’s VR platform, works same as Oculus home. 
You can enjoy VR through mobile. Daydream runs automatically when you put a Daydream-ready phone in the HMD made by Google. People who experienced Samsung Gear VR will easily understand. 

  [Credit: Google image]

The revealed Daydream View was almost the same with the image opened in the last I/O. However, it differs from the other HMD, which is mostly made with plastic. Google’s HMD has been covered with fabric.

[Credit: Google image]

The color is three types: Snow, Slate and Crimson. The facepad is removable to wash whenever you like. It seemed unhygienic when most of the HMD facepad wasn’t removable, however, Google helped it.

The very first Daydream-ready phone: Pixel phone
A Daydream-ready phone is needed to run the Google Daydream View and Google has announced its first Daydream-ready phone which is called Pixel phone. Pixel phone was produced by HTC but differ from the previous Nexus line, most of the design and UI was done by Google and only a small part of design and production was proceed by HTC.

[Credit: Google]

The design is modern and it is similar to the iPhone. Also, a USB type C port has been applied. This pixel phone runs on operating system named Nougat and it has the highest spec. However, it is a bad news to hear that it has only 32GB and 128GB of storage.

The color is same as the leaked image: White, Blue and Black. The price starts at $649 to $1419 depend on the type and storage. 
There will be more Daydream-ready phones coming up soon. It seems like Daydream View has more chances compared to Gear VR, which is compatible only with Galaxy series phones. 

Standard of simple, Controller
It is not perfect even if you put your Daydream-ready phone to the Google’s HMD. In Gear VR, touching the side worked as a button but the Daydream view doesn’t work in the same way. However, more simple and easy way to choose the content has been opened by a very simple controller.

[Credit: Google]

Google has cared the users by putting each app and home button in the controller so that users can go back easily to the menu or home screen. The smart sensors provide smooth tracking and movement and an adjustable volume button lets you turn up your experience. Through this you can swing a bat, steer an airship or even cast a spell with a magic wand.

Fruitful Daydream View
There are many apps and fun experiences coming to Daydream.

 [Credit: Daydream homepage]

You can explore new world with Google’s basic service such as Google street view, Google photo and it also provide CNN and New York times as an app so you can enjoy the news also in virtual reality.

 [Credit: Daydream homepage]

In Gear VR, you had to get on the internet to watch youtube videos. However, Google made youtube as a customized application so that users can access more simply and easily. Through Hulu, Jaunt and Netflix you can enjoy your personal cinema, so watch movies on a virtual big screen and experience sports and concerts like you’re actually there.

[Credit: Daydream homepage]

You can get in the game with VR as there are many games such as Wonderglade, Fantastic Beasts, and Danger Goat …etc. ready for you.

 [Credit: Daydream homepage]

Lastly, you can enjoy the exclusive demo of J.K. Rowling’s ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ only through Daydream. You can meet this demo magically at select stores in November.

The first start of Google Daydream View, which official release will be in November, was a cheap cardboard. The cardboard made people feel familiar with VR regardless of their type of phone. That Google is now facing the official release with its upgraded Daydream View that dreams to seize the VR platform ecosystem in November 
Which will be the last one to win the victory between Gear VR, which is only compatible with Samsung’s Galaxy phones and Daydream View, which makes phones possible to work with its HMD through Daydream-ready certification? 

Watch on WAVRP: 

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

(2016. 9. 12) VR Roller Coaster - Best 3D SBS VR Roller Coaster for Google Cardboard

2016. 9. 12. VR Roller Coaster - Best 3D SBS VR Roller Coaster for Google Cardboard

You can experience VR contents cheaply by using Google cardboard. You can watch many VR videos or play various games in Google play for free. Today we brought a roller coaster VR video. It’s not real, it’s made with 3D. You can experience a roller coaster in a total virtual world. 

Channel: POP2Review

Watch on WAVRP: 

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

(2016. 8. 21) The Forest - 360 Experience

2016. 8. 21. The Forest - 360 Experience

Did you watch the thriller “The Forest”? A story about Sara who enters the forest to discover the truth of her twin sister’s mysterious disappearance. Do you think you can survive in the Yellow Tent? This 360 video provides more extreme fear.

Watch on WAVRP: 

http://wavrp.com/

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

Summer Lesson in October: Sony Playstation VR

Which one do you prefer among VR, AR and MR(Mixed Reality? I guess AR and MR can be preferd for our daily use because VR is about virtual reality. However for those who really love game can think differently. Of course they can also expect about AR and MR but what is important in game? Isn’t it more fun when you fully immerse in virtual world?

<사진출처: QUARTZ>

Most People who love games will probably wait for Sony PlaystationVR. Sony project Morpheus will be more familiar with many people. This project’s official name is PlaystationVR. 

One of the reason that many people waiting for playstationVR is because of its well-made VR contents such as ‘Summer lesson’ and ‘Hatsune miku VR’
As Sony had released various HMDs until now, it seems like Sony has put all their know-how to this playstation VR

<Sony HMD HMZ-T1 / Credit: Sony>

<Sony HMD HMZ-T2 / Credit: Sony >

< Sony HMD HMZ-T3 / Credit: The Verge>

< Sony Playstation VR/ Credit: Sony>

The specification of playstation VR is like below. According to specialists, tracking technology is known to be very good.
Display: OLED 5.7”
Resolution(picture): 1920 x RGB x 1080 (960 x RGB x 1080 per eye)
Scanning rate: 120Hz, 90Hz
sensor: 360degree tracking / 9LEDs
Viewing Angle: about 100degree
Latency: below 18ms
Operate: DualShock4, PS MOVE
        <Credit :Sony>

The release day and the price of the Sony PlaystationVR has been opened in the E3 which is a Game exhibition held on June 2016 in LA. It will be released on October and its price will be $399. PlaystationVR seems to win in price competition compared to Oculus Rift ($599) and HTC Vive($800), but you have to remember that this price doesn’t include PS camera($59) which is needed if you want to fully enjoy PSVR and move controller($49).
Furthermore, if you don’t have a PS4  then the price will be more added so it can be burden for some people.

<Credit: Google image>

Despite its high price, many people are waiting for PSVR which will provide not only games of previous PS4 but also 50 more contents such as Summerlesson, EA. So are you in?

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

Long journey full of experience,Samsung electronic's VR HMD : Odyssey

It is sure that VR and AR is a trend these days. Many companies have invested astronomical amount of money to startup and venture companies as they thought VR and AR as an attractive future item. But it is not a future item anymore.

This movement was also active in domestic market. Samsung and LG has released VR HMD and VR camera steadily. Especially Samsung’s Gear VR which was made with Oculus become popular. There are also galaxy experience zone in Rio so that the local and tourist can experience Gear VR.    

1st generation Gear VR_ SM-R320

The first generation VR was first opened with Galaxy note 4 in 2014 and released on January 2015. It was very limited because it was only compatible with Galaxy note 4.

2nd generation Gear VR_ SM-R321

Then, Gear VR for Galaxy S6 was released. It was still limited because it was only compatible with S6 and S6edge. However, it was much more developed in picture quality and ergonomic design that help you to immerse into virtual reality. Not only the hardware but also the contents such as oculus cinema, oculus 360 photo was upgraded too.

3rd generation Gear VR_ SM-R322

This is the most recent Gear VR which is compatible with Galaxy S6 series, Galaxy note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7edge. Do you remember Samsung’s unpacked conference 2016 held in Barcelona Spain that become famous because Mark Zuckerberg suddenly appeared. This third edition was released in half price than the previous model and was sold out. 

4th generation Gear VR_ SM-R323 

According to Venturebeat SM-R323 which is probably the name of next Gear VR’s model was captured in India’s import and export data named Zauba. It is assumed that this might be a Gear VR which is compatible with Galaxy note 7 that will be opened in unpacked conference in New York on August 2.

Many experts are curious about the USB port of next Gear VR because the Galaxy note 7 is known as supporting USB Type-C which can be plugged in any direction. It also provide fast charging and data transmission speed. For this reason, the experts are analyzing the new Gear VR might support USB Type-C. On the other hand, American business magazine Forbes online analyzed that the hardware specifications of SM-R323 will not much different and the more upgraded Gear VR will be released next year.

< Credit: moneytoday>

Actually, there was a news that Samsung electronics applied for a patent of its stand-alone type VR HMD’s trademark and Logo with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 20th.  Samsung announced publicly on April in the Samsung developers conference 2016 that they are developing a stand-alone VR HMD which work without Galaxy smartphone.

This VR HMD is called ‘Odyssey’. This headset doesn’t need smartphone and it will mount location tracking technology, hand and gesture tracking technology. It is assumed that it will be a high-end product for reaction of Oculus Rift or HTC VIVE.

Then why did Samsung named it Odyssey? It is one of Greek mythology about Odysseus who ventured for 10 years. There are also many product which name is Odyssey: Honda Odyssey and several male cosmetics. Odyssey means a long journey full of experience. Samsung Gear VR begin its journey long time ago and they are still going on. Therefore Odyssey might be the perfect name for Gear VR. 

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

Can Google VR’s dream come true?

< Credit: Google VR official homepage>

In 2014, Google released “Google Cardboard” 

which let you enjoy VR videos very cheaply. 

It received attention for its low price and easy accessibility. 

On the other hand it was not able to follow 

other HMD for its depth and quality. 

Google cardboard used Google Play Store as its platform. 

However, Google Play Store was not a VR platform but a platform for mobile. 

So Daydream is a new VR platform that Google is trying to make. 

 Many experts expected Google to open 

its own mobile Headset or Project Tango Sensor 

(Device which provides smartphone augmented reality experience

 faster and smoother) in Google I/O 2016. 

Google, however, released a platform more like Oculus Gear VR. 

Daydream is a VR platform which will run in Google’s next generation mobile OS.

In this platform developers can develop all sorts of applications 

and games for VR device. Daydream. 

I guess it’s a nice name for this platform.

It seems quite similar to Oculus Gear VR and Google Play Store. 

Daydream is not compatible with existing smartphones. 

If you planned to buy a new smartphone 

then you should wait a little bit, don’t you think so?

Daydream is a VR ecosystem which embraces both software and hardware.

It seems like Google is trying to occupy VR market 

by cooperating with manufacturers in open source 

as they did for the mobile OS.

Is Daydream compatible with all kind of mobile? The answer is no.

The existing mobiles are not compatible. 

It will be applied from the next OS which name is “Android N”. 

As Daydream needs processor and OS 

which can implement high-capacity,

it is planning a certification named “Daydream ready”.

Good news is that Daydream will be compatible with smartphones 

that has obtained “Daydream ready” certification such as LG, Xiaomi, and HTC 

while Samsung Oculus Gear VR only works with Samsung mobile.

< Credit: Google VR official homepage>

Furthermore, we must talk about Google’s standalone VR headset and controller.

Many experts are looking forward whether Google’s standalone VR headset 

will be better than the already existing HMD devices.

It seems to include Head Tracking technology and 

it will be more wearable than Google cardboard.

The controller which looks like a remote control is composed of 

touch pad and two buttons and it provide motion control.

< Credit: Google VR official homepage>

If you put a compatible mobile in the headset 

then you can see a virtual world where contents float.

It seems pretty like main scene of Gear VR. 

You can play apps or VR videos by VR controller for Daydream. 

This platform will become a center that promotes various new contents.

Lastly, the most exciting part is that you can still receive phone calls or text messages 

while you put your smartphone in VR HMD. 

I hope this function to be realized soon.

According to Google from Google I/O 2016, 

you might be able to meet Daydream probably between September and October.

Will Daydream which Google is preparing ambitiously 

become a daydream or a front-runner of Software and hardware platform?

Watch on WAVRP: 

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

Pokemon Go’ suggesting new paradigm of game

<'Pokemon Go / (Image Credit: pokemon Go official homepage)>

Do you remember the pokemon bread? The bread became famous 

because of the pokemon sticker in it. 

That pokemon came back as a game named ‘pokemon Go’.

It was January 2016 when I first heard about the game. 

At that time somebody told me that there was a game 

which I can catch the pokemon monster with my smartphone 

in the real place such as Gwanghwamun Gate. 

After 6 months later everybody is playing and talking about ‘Pokemon Go’  

Later I found out that Google had released ‘Pokemon Challenge’ video 

about 2 years ago before April Fools’ Day. 

We didn’t know whether this game to entertain the whole world at that time 

but it really is!

What really is Pokemon go?

Pokemon Go is an augmented reality based mobile game made by Niantic, Inc. 

It was first issued in the United States in 6th of July and afterwards 

it expanded its service to 35 countries until 16th of July.

Google’s April Fools’ Day event just for fun now 

became the most famous game these days. 

The man who managed this event was John Hanke 

who is the representative of Niantic Inc.

However, Pokemon Go is not the first augmented reality based game 

made by Niantic. 

After they were divided from Google they become famous 

because of the game ‘Ingress’. 

Afterward Niantic suggested Pokemon Go game to the Pokemon Company 

and Nintendo in the end of 2015 and received $20 million. 

After 7 month you can see what happened.    

 <Image Credit: Pokemon Go Homepage>

How to play?

Pokemon Go is based on augmented reality and Location-based Services. The users can catch the virtual Pokemon that appears in the smartphone based on the real world. When you catch the pokemon you can train them and let the pokemon battle with other kinds. Most of the user’s goal is to become the strongest trainer.

Download the app and make your own avatar.

Run the app and walk outside then your avatar in smartphone will walk in the map of the game.

When Pokemon appears your smartphone will vibrate and then you can catch it by throwing the monster ball. 

You receive candy and stardust as reward when you catch pokemon. That rewards can be used to  power up your pokemon’s strength. 

<Credit: Nintendo Homepage>

<Credit: Nintendo Homepage>

If you have an item called ‘Pokemon Go Plus’ then the game might be easier. 

There are two types, Clip type and Watch type. 

This item has an LED light on top and when the pokemon appears it flickers and vibrates. 

Then what you have to do is to press the round button of the item. 

Then it will make the pokemon yours. This item was sold out even before it was released.

Pokemon Go became the top in the app store after 24 hours of its release. 

This is very surprising. Pokemon Go became the fastest game 

that wins the top in Google play. 

This made Nintendo’s stock prices jump almost 93% in a week. 

Now the game is released to almost 35 countries.

There are already many episode as this game needs to be played in outside. 

Criminal who was playing pokemon Go was caught by police and 

a girl who went to the river side to catch pokemon found a dead body. 

When Syamideu appeared in New York Central Park there was a traffic jam 

because some people tried to catch it by getting out of their car. 

This shows the Pokemon Go’s popularity.

But there are many people who are against this game 

because there are also sad news caused by Pokemon Go.

Pokemon Go is not officially released in Korea 

but people downloaded this game through iOS external transactions account 

or Android setup file. 

Furthermore all the bus tickets for Sokcho were sold out 

because Sokcho was the only place where Pokemons appeared.

  According to Wise app there are already millions of app users. 

Wise app said “This can be seen as social phenomenon if millions of people 

downloaded this game in 8 days even though there is some security danger 

and inconvenience.

 The reason that Pokemon can’t be played in South Korea is because of the Google map. Google asked for detailed map information to expand its service 

but Korea’s government denied it because of national security exposure issues. 

However, John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, said in an interview 

that he expects to ultimately launch Pokemon Go in Korea 

and there are other ways to get around the Google Maps dispute. 

Now according to Korea Bizwire Pokemon Go will be launched in early next month.

 Through Pokemon Go, the game paradigm might have changed. 

Usually when we bring the word ‘game’ to mind, 

it gives an image of playing alone in a room, sexual characters. 

Maybe this image has been built because of some bad news from the media. 

However, Pokemon Go is different. 

You must go out to play this game. 

So it is less closed. It is also good for family gathering. 

There was some good news that mother and son 

came out together to play Pokemon Go. 

At least parents cannot tell their children 

“Stop playing game in your room and play outside”

 Therefore I wish Pokemon Go to be released officially 

in Korea this month and let the new game paradigm to be generalized. 

Watch on WAVRP: 

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