• Phantom Thread
  • Posts
  • Meta's new room scanning tech could change the way we use VR

Meta's new room scanning tech could change the way we use VR

INSIDE: Netflix and Prime Video are now on Vision Pro

Author

Mathew Abraham
April 20, 2024

Greetings, AR enthusiasts.

Meta comes up with a new room scanning algorithm that they claim is great for new VR users thanks to how less often they’ll run into errors.

Supercut brings popular streaming services on to the Vision Pro, at least for the time being.

In today’s Phantom Thread, we will look at:

  • Meta thinks Visual Positioning could change the new user experience

  • Netflix and Prime Video won’t put their app on the Vision Pro, but it won’t be a problem now with Supercut

  • Things are not looking good for Glue Collaboration

  • Turn on VPS on your Meta Quest

  • 3 New AR Tools

WEEKLY THREADS

The weave: Meta introduced Visual Positioning System, or VPS, which they say has already reduced the instances of boundary errors for users by almost 50%.

The strands:

  • The feature came in as part of the Quest v60 update, but it was done discreetly, but it has introduced it to users through a blog post.

  • VPS can recognize rooms, and other spaces where you would be using your headset, and it can remember where you were the last time.

  • VPS uses Quest’s inside out tracking functionality to do this, combined with cutting edge cloud storage and computing power.

The fabric: VPS is great for new people trying VR for the first time since they don’t have to go through any trial and error to start using apps. The system will automatically map the room, and lets you jump into the experience quicker.

The weave: Vision Pro users now have access to a third party app called Supercut that brings Netflix and Prime Video to the AR headset, which is better than trying to watch Netflix on your own.

The strands:

  • Supercut takes the framework of the Netflix and Prime Video web page and adds features not native to the web version like multichannel audio, correct aspect ratios and even dims your surroundings.

  • When the Vision Pro came out, Netflix, Amazon, and a bunch of other streaming services announced that they will not be making apps for the headset.

  • The app doesn’t allow you to download content from either platform though, since the web version does not let you do that on any device.

The fabric: The app is up on the App Store for $5, but it is the only way at the moment to watch Netflix or Prime Video on your Vision Pro.

The weave: Glue Collaboration, the startup behind the XR collaboration tool Glue, has filed for bankruptcy leaving the future of Glue in uncertainty.

The strands:

  • Glue Collaboration announced that they will be liquidating all its assets including the Glue app and the entire platform as a whole.

  • They said they will be looking for someone else to carry the torch, but they haven’t had much success on that front.

  • The entire company is looking to be bought out soon, and if they are not, Glue could end up being shut down permanently.

The fabric: Glue is one of the victims of the shrinking XR collaboration space that took a nosedive after the pandemic, and future potential entrants to the space have another example that they can strive to avoid becoming like.

AR TUTORIAL
Turn on VPS on your Meta Quest

The weave: Virtual Positioning System, or VPS, came with Meta’s v60 update for the Quest, but it wasn’t turned on by default. Turning this on can better your experience with the headset by letting it see and understand your rooms better.

Here’s our step-by-step guide:

  1. Go to Settings  > Privacy and Safety.

  2. Go to Device Permissions and turn on Share Point Cloud Data.

  3. If you ever want to revoke access and delete all point data, go to Device Permissions and then select Delete Shared Storage.

WEEKLY AR TOOL ROUNDUP

Featured AR tools:

  • Calmtopia - A VR meditation and mindfulness app with not just scenery, but animals and other fauna.

  • Connect.Club - An online networking and virtual video meeting app that is aimed at more informal meetings.

  • Moonshot by Reason - Take your team out to a virtual escape room experience not tied down to physical limitations.

FLASH FRAMES

Meta has started a push to have their headsets in schools so that children and teachers can get familiar with VR learning experiences.

World of Warcraft can now be played in VR thanks to a mod, but only on private servers.

Vision Pro users reported that their headsets were giving them black eyes that they attributed to the headset putting too much weight on their cheeks.

The WWE has decided to cut back on AR content for their shows as part of a production wide effort of cutting costs.

THAT’S ALL FOR THE WEEK