08-18-2021 10:19 PM - last edited on 10-20-2021 02:09 PM by nalex66
This year's Facebook Connect will be virtual. It looks like we'll be able to register for attendance; details to come.
Facebook released news on this today. So now would be a fun time to start making some predictions!
Here is what I am expecting:
Above all, I am hoping that we once again have Carmack go unscripted. 😁
08-19-2021 01:32 AM
John Tweeted yesterday 🙂
https://twitter.com/ID_AA_Carmack/status/1428033864228917248?s=20
I will be doing talk sessions in Horizon until I run down all my headset batteries!
08-19-2021 03:37 AM - edited 08-19-2021 03:39 AM
I'm hoping for news of Horizon opening up to everyone, the Beta's still invite only isn't it?
And Infinite Office... either an announcement of it releasing imminently or a firm date for release.
These things seem to have been dragging on for a long time.
Personally I'd be surprised if any detailed announcements are made about hardware but you never know!
I think the 128GB Quest 2 price drop was a logical first step towards the next headset release. It allows for a gap between the current headset and the next one being released at the popular £399 mark again for a 128 model. Maybe we'll get some teasers.
08-19-2021 06:27 AM
Looking forward to Carmack's talk, as always. If Horizon isn't open to all by then, I hope someone records and posts it like last year.
08-19-2021 07:45 AM
Just released, Horizon Workrooms, available now in the Quest store. Downloading to try it out.
https://twitter.com/boztank/status/1428362232660774941?s=20
Tweet by Boz 🙂
08-19-2021 09:03 AM
It's an app where you can sit at a PC, using a keyboard and mouse, with desktop streaming into VR, but it doesn't support PCVR, just Quest. 😞
I do like that it lets you hold a touch controller backwards to use the handle as a whiteboard pen. 🙂
08-19-2021 10:26 AM - edited 08-19-2021 10:29 AM
mmm , so presumably you only need a PC if you want to do PC stuff in Workrooms or if someone doesn't have a headset but wants to take part, and to use a PC in VR, you'll need a tracked keyboard and mouse.
It sounds like there's an overlap between this and Infinite Office but I had assumed the office software is going to be contained entirely within a Quest app without the need for PC but with the same keyboard/mouse tracking.
Wonder if these are still going to be separate apps? or Workrooms is a stop-gap to Infinite Office. Or Office is now Workrooms???
08-19-2021 12:59 PM - edited 08-19-2021 02:15 PM
Wow... Workspaces seems so phenomenal. I love how we can use our controllers to outline a workspace in order to bring your real-world keyboard in to VR, as well as your screen. On top of (as Kojack mentioned), flipping your controller around to use it like a Pen/Marker!
A nice hands-on review by CNET:
I am excited about the full hand-tracking compatibility as well (no hand-controllers needed). And this is all very early access stuff.
I've been fiending for a true VR Workplace since the Rift CV1 first launched. It's taken awhile, but it is finally getting realized!
Also note that (per the video), Microsoft is working on their own version as well: Microsoft Mesh.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mesh?activetab=pivot%3aprimaryr7
08-19-2021 01:57 PM
Yeah, remote productivity is a big thing. VR/AR is going to take it to predictabke heights. It's a natural next step for a company like Microsoft.
I would think MS are considering the possibility of an app on the Quest given the userbase. Like making MS Office available on ios. Will be interesting to see who does it best. It's eventually going to be a really important sector.
08-19-2021 02:15 PM
Agreed, Daft. Microsoft is also pushing towards that whole VR Metaverse concept. Their focus will be primarily on business and enterprise.
I imagine that in the next 5-10 years when the VR Metaverse starts to take shape (is that a pun?), we'll see Oculus VR and Win VR integrating seamlessly to give us the first impressions of what a true VR Metaverse entails.
Which is essentially what you stated: VR/AR working together, and in all walks of life. 🙂