Virtual Reality.
Those are two words I have read about in science fiction but I never thought I would live to see it, let alone get a chance to test out the equipment, but, as you will read on Page 4A, the hardware is available and it is in our town.
The idea of being able to slip on a helmet, grab a pair of controls and jump headlong into an extra-dimensional space, whether for business or pleasure, has been explored in science fiction since the concept first occurred to Stanley G. Weinbaum in 1935 — his short story, “Pygmalion’s Spectacles” described a type of Google-based interface with accompanied holographics.
But aside from Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, iGlasses and the Oculus Rift, the majority of advancements in the industry have had medical or military applications.
Until now.
My cousin had a VR-headset back in the late 80s and I remember thinking how cool it was, in spite of the monochromatic display and clunky headgear.
I, like so many others, assumed that Star Trek-like holodecks were right around the corner, along with hoverboards from the Back To The Future film franchise.
Sadly, 2015 came around and we still don’t have true hoverboards, unless you consider the fire-hazards that stores currently market as ‘hoverboards’ as progress.
However, unlike the toys from BTTF, virtual reality is here.
From what I saw at the Barrhead Public Library, the technology behind the HTC Vive is a huge improvement and it is very user-friendly.
Exploring the world in Google Earth VR, one of the many programs utilized through the technology, is not like looking at a static map.
In other words, if you ever wanted to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or you wanted to visit the Christ The Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro but you couldn’t pony up the dough, for example, now you can.
And Google Earth VR is only the tip of the metaphorical iceberg.
Games like Waltz of the Wizard, which teaches you how to make potions, and Space Pirates, which is essentially Asteroids (for all of you Atari-nuts out there) on interactive steroids are fun to pass the time with and Tilt, a paint-based program, is where the software really shines.
Tilt allows you to ‘paint’ a work of art in 3D.
And if you aren’t the one playing with the HTC Vive?
No worries.
Everyone who happens by you can see everything you’re doing on television monitors provided for that very reason.
I would highly recommend you stop into the library and get yourself a membership — they only cost $12, because you wont be able to use the HTC Vive and experience the wonders of three dimensional game-play without it.
