How-To Geek - Virtual Reality

Is the Quest 2 Still Worth Buying?

Nalin Rawat — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:01:35 GMT

Meta Quest 3 is the direct successor to one of most popular VR headsets on the market. However, is it too late to buy a Meta Quest 2? Is an upgrade to the Quest 3 for $500 worth it? Or will you miss out on important features by not upgrading? These are the questions that every buyer should ask themselves before investing in Meta's newest VR headset.

Meta Quest 3 Is Like the Apple Vision Pro, but 1/7th the Price

Andrew Heinzman — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:15:57 GMT

With pre-orders starting at $500, the Meta Quest 3 headset boasts full-color video passthrough, a 2064 x 2208 per-eye video resolution, and a second-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset for increased graphical capabilities. It's a clear and compelling upgrade from the Quest 2, especially for those who want to see their real-world surroundings while inhabiting a virtual world. This release may also put a damper on Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset, which will cost $3,500 and boasts video passthrough as a flagship feature.

How to Get Custom Songs on Beat Saber for PC & Quest Headsets?

Nalin Rawat — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:00:28 GMT

Beat Saber users are not limited to just official music packs but can add custom songs to the game. Since the process can be complicated, follow our step-by-step guide to add custom songs to Beat Saber for PC VR and Quest headsets.

The Future of Meta's Quest Pro Headset is Unclear

Arol Wright — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 20:25:19 GMT

What was previously known as "Project Cambria" for a long time launched late last year under the name of Meta Quest Pro. The hybrid reality headset had the potential of becoming Meta's flagship device for its metaverse efforts. Now, a report is pointing at Meta giving up on the lineup, though Meta is saying otherwise.

A Look Back at VR Products That Never Lived up to the Hype

Joe Fedewa — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 11:00:20 GMT

Apple's Vision Pro brought a renewed interest to the virtual reality/augmented reality space, but it's far from the first device in this category. Many failed attempts have come before it, some of which you may have never even heard about.

Meta Quest's New Subscription Gives You VR Games Each Month

Arol Wright — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:43:47 GMT

Meta is probably the company that's at the forefront of VR right now. The company's purchase of Oculus in 2014 guaranteed it a spot in the then-growing field. Now, subscriptions are what's hot --- and Meta just launched its very own VR subscription.

The Meta Quest 2 Is Returning to Its Original Price

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:43:29 GMT

Last year, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) raised the price of its Meta Quest 2 VR headset to $400. After some back and forth, the Quest 2 is returning to its initial price, alongside the announcement of the Quest 3.

Meta Quest 3: What We Know So Far

Gaurav Shukla — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:00:00 GMT

The Meta Quest 3, the successor of the company's popular Quest 2 VR headset, is long overdue. But even though we are probably months away from its release, several details about it have trickled down through the grapevine.

10 Quest VR Headset Features You Should Be Using

Sydney Butler — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 18:30:00 GMT

The Meta Quest VR headsets are brilliant standalone VR systems packed with accessible games and experiences, but these affordable VR machines can do much more than you may realize. These are ten of the coolest features you should try today.

How to Sanitize a VR Headset

Sydney Butler — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 09:00:58 GMT

VR's immersive experience sometimes means immersing your face in a gross cocktail of gunk and germs. Either your own, or someone else's! Since VR headsets are such personal devices, it's a good idea to keep them sanitary.

The HTC Vive XR Elite Is a Glimpse of VR's Future

Sydney Butler — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:00:21 GMT

HTC wowed the VR faithful at CES 2023 with the announcement of its Vive XR Elite headset. It's not priced to compete with budget-friendly headsets, but HTC's clever ideas offer a tantalizing glimpse of how VR will solve its remaining problems.

Meta Is Done Supporting Your Quest 1 VR Headset

Corbin Davenport — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:45:15 GMT

The original Oculus Quest headset was released in 2019, helping kick off standalone VR headsets as a viable platform for games and applications. However, Meta is about to end full support for the model that started it all.

TCL Joins the AR Bandwagon With Its Own Smart Glasses

Arol Wright — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 16:51:33 GMT

This seems to be the decade for augmented reality. Pretty much everyone is coming out with their own AR products, and TCL is joining the pack with its new RayNeo X2 smart glasses.

FIFA's AR App Gives World Cup Attendees More Bragging Rights

Chason Gordon — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:18:49 GMT

Whenever attending a sporting event live, you tend to miss out on certain things, like commercials for bad beers, the chance to stare at a screen, and a constant stream of analytics that we all pretend to understand. A new augmented reality app for World Cup attendees intends to change that (the stats part, anyway).For those in Qatar watching in person, theÂ FIFA+ app provides a live augmented reality overlay of stats, different camera angles, VAR replays as on TV, and various other features. One gets the sense that the people in bad seats will use it much more than those close up.Attendees can point their phone's camera at the field (the pitch, sorry), at which point an overlay pops up giving individual stats on players, their movement speed (have never wondered about this before), and individual heatmaps. It won't tell you what they ate that day or who they're dating, though.

Can You Use VR With One Eye?

Sydney Butler — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 08:00:26 GMT

If you have one functional eye, virtual reality may not hold much appeal, like paying extra for a 3D movie ticket but being unable to see the 3D effect. However, there's more to VR than 3D images, and you may find it works better than exepected.

VR Should Take Us to Fantastical Places, Not a Beige Office

Chason Gordon — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Sometimes in remote work meetings, a supervisor will begin with a group icebreaker to get things rolling, like your favorite movie or the last trip you went on. That's essentially what virtual workplaces in the metaverse are: an elaborate attempt to get ideas flowing by pretending that you're not actually working. And just like those icebreakers, it's not entirely convincing.

How to Use Meta Quest Hand Tracking

Sydney Butler — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:00:55 GMT

Quest VR headsets come with brilliant motion controllers, but to interact with the world of VR you can also use nothing but your hands. Activating this feature is easy, but it comes with a few limitations you should know about.

Should You Buy a Meta Quest Pro?

Sydney Butler — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:00:28 GMT

The Meta Quest Pro VR headset, codenamed "Project Cambria," was officially revealed on October 11, 2022. It has a $1500 price tag and a long list of technical improvements compared to Quest 2, but does that mean you should buy one?

The Meta Quest Pro VR Headset Costs More Than a MacBook Air

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:10:38 GMT

Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, sells the popular Meta Quest VR headsets, which used to be called Oculus Quest. Meta held its highly-anticipated VR event today, where it revealed a new high-end headset.

How to Link Your Meta Quest Fitness Data to Apple Watch and Apple Health

Sydney Butler — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 12:00:28 GMT

The Meta Quest app store offers many great fitness apps you can use on your VR headset, but if you're using an Apple Watch to track your activity, you may not get the most accurate figures. Now, you can link your Quest directly to Apple Health.

Meta Will Reveal a New Quest VR Headset in October

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:57:38 GMT

Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, sells the popular Meta Quest VR headsets, which used to be called Oculus Quest. Meta has now set a date for its next big VR event.

Meta's Project Cambria VR Headset is Coming in October

Arol Wright — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:10:24 GMT

Meta's Oculus VR headsets have been among the most popular out there for years. The original Oculus Rift is widely regarded as having helped kickstart the VR frenzy, and even today, the Meta Quest 2 is one of the best VR headsets money can buy. But what follows will be here sooner than you think.

How to Unlink Your Quest Headset From Facebook

Jason Fitzpatrick — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:45:14 GMT

Good news: Quest VR headsets don't need Facebook accounts anymore! If you're buying a new Meta Quest (formerly Oculus Quest) VR headset, you don't need a Facebook account to set it up. If you're already using a Facebook account with your headset, you can unlink the two. Here's how.

What Is "Phantom Sense" in VR, and Do You Have It?

Sydney Butler — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 12:00:28 GMT

You're standing in a VR world, surrounded by virtual grass. The wind whips up and blows through the field, and as you watch the tall grass blowing in the wind, you can feel it buffet your body; how is this possible?

VR: When Will We Get Taste, Touch, and Smell?

Sydney Butler — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 11:23:57 GMT

Virtual Reality (VR) has pretty much nailed providing high-quality virtual content for your eyes and ears, but what about the other sense organs? How far away are we from getting taste, touch, and smell as part of the VR experience?

Retinal Projection Was the Future of VR. What Happened?

Sydney Butler — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 11:00:31 GMT

Retinal projection is a technology that uses the retina of your eye as a projection screen, beaming light directly into your eye so that you see a "display" floating in space. It feels like it should be the future of VR, so what happened?

VRChat Is a Universe of Virtual Worlds: Here's What It's Like

Sydney Butler — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:40 GMT

It's hard to imagine that you can leave this world behind with a $300 electronic gadget, but that's the promise of VRChat. All you need is an Oculus Quest 2 to socialize in VR and get a glimpse of the promised "metaverse."

Quest VR Headsets Won't Need Facebook Next Month

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 13:45:02 GMT

Meta (formerly Facebook) requires a Facebook account to use its Quest VR headsets. Meta said last year that it would eventually allow independent accounts, and now the option is almost here.

Omnidirectional Treadmills Could Boost VR Immersion (But They're Impractical)

Sydney Butler — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:00:02 GMT

Omnidirectional treadmill technology allows you to turn, walk, run, crouch, and sometimes even jump in VR without any space limits or danger of tripping over your cat. Unfortunately, the promise of practical, affordable VR treadmills still seems some way off.

Should You Buy a VR Headset?

Tim Brookes — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:13:00 GMT

If you're looking to broaden your gaming horizons, you might be tempted to invest in a virtual reality headset. But VR isn't simply an extension of the games you may already enjoy, it's a whole new medium that comes with its own pros and cons.

Shooting in VR Is the Real Next Generation Experience

Sydney Butler — Wed, 25 May 2022 09:00:50 GMT

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X represent the next generation (well, the current generation if we're being pedantic), but first-person shooters offer pretty much the same experience as they always have. In VR, things couldn't be more different.

Qualcomm's New Snapdragon Chips Will Speed Up Android Phones

Corbin Davenport — Fri, 20 May 2022 11:49:43 GMT

Many of the best Android phones and tablets use a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) from Qualcomm, and now the company has revealed its fastest mobile chip yet: the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. There's also a new Snapdragon 7 chip, intended for upper mid-range phones.

What Is Extended Reality (XR), and Will it Replace VR?

Sydney Butler — Mon, 02 May 2022 09:30:55 GMT

Extended Reality (XR) is a term that encompasses several technologies but also describes a spectrum of reality-changing methods including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). XR brings all of these ideas under a single umbrella.

Got an Oculus Quest? Add a Counterweight for Comfort

Benj Edwards — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 08:00:25 GMT

If you're feeling discomfort while wearing the Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2 VR headset (sometimes called "Meta Quest 2"), a counterweight dramatically helps balance headset weight for a more comfortable feel. Some add extra battery life too. Here's why you should try one out.

Persistent AR Explained: Why It's the Key to the Metaverse

Sydney Butler — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 12:00:47 GMT

Augmented reality (AR) layers digital imagery and sounds over the real world, blending the virtual with the real. Persistent augmented reality extends the existence of AR content beyond when you're using them, giving them a permanent place in the world.

How to Factory Reset an Oculus Quest 2

Sydney Butler — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 20:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Quest 2 is a solid device, but if things have gone wrong, or you're getting rid of it, you'll want to perform a factory reset. There are two ways to factory reset: from the phone app or the headset.

What Is Oculus Link, and How Do You Use It?

Sydney Butler — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:00:00 GMT

Oculus Link transforms your Quest or Quest 2 headset into a PC VR headset, using high-performance PC hardware to render graphics instead of the standalone mobile hardware in the headset. Oculus Air Link offers the same, but without wires!

How to Take a Screenshot on Oculus Quest 2

Christian Cooper — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 21:00:00 GMT

If you do something epic on your new Oculus Quest 2 (or original Quest), it's incredibly easy to take a screenshot to share with friends. Here's how to capture a screenshot in your VR headset.

How to Charge Oculus Quest 2 Controllers

Sydney Butler — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Charging Oculus Quest 2 headsets is as simple as plugging in a cable, but the controllers use removable AA batteries to provide power. This means there's no direct way of recharging the controllers, but workarounds do exist if you need them.

How to Sideload Apps and Games on Your Oculus Quest

Anthony Heddings — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 22:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Quest is a standalone VR headset that can render games and apps without a desktop PC. You normally install games and apps via the Oculus Store, but you can also sideload unofficial apps using a PC.

How to Share Games Between Two Oculus Quests

Sydney Butler — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 22:00:00 GMT

If you've bought the Oculus Quest 2 and want to give your old Quest VR headset to someone else in your household, there's no need to buy your games twice. You can easily share games between two Oculus Quests headsets.

How to Cast Oculus Quest 2 to a TV

Sydney Butler — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Quest 2 (now the "Meta Quest 2") is a great personal VR system you can use anywhere, but if you have friends and family in the room, why not share what you're seeing? Simply cast your Quest 2 onto a TV!

Beat Saber Is Getting Another Free Music Pack, New Block Mechanics

Dave LeClair — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 10:20:35 GMT

Beat Saber is one of the most beloved games in the virtual reality world and it's on the verge of getting a few big content drops. It's getting a free sound pack and entirely new game mechanics.

"Oculus Certified" Quest 2 Headsets Are $50 Off at Amazon

Dave LeClair — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:26:11 GMT

If you're looking to get an Oculus Quest 2, but you don't want to pay the full price, you can get a "Quest Certified" refurbished model from Amazon for $50 off the regular price. Even though it's refurbished, because it's certified, it's basically new.

Here's Your First Look at Sony's PlayStation VR2 Design

Dave LeClair — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:17:23 GMT

Sony has been giving us a slow drip-feed of information about the PlayStation VR2, but the company has finally decided to show off the design of the headset, and it looks quite different than the design of other VR headsets such as the Quest 2.

Is VR Bad for Your Eyes?

Sydney Butler — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMT

Does strapping a screen over your eyes and then blasting photons at them for hours cause damage? Moms always said sitting close to the TV is a bad idea, but is there evidence that VR is bad for your eyes?

SimulaVR Is Launching Pre-Orders for Linux on Your Face

Dave LeClair — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 14:27:06 GMT

The Simula One headset from SimulaVR is about to go up for preorder. If you're willing to spend the large sum required to lock one in, you can save yourself a bit of money in the long run. Either way, this isn't a budget-friendly VR headset, but one designed for enthusiasts.

Oculus Quest Be Gone, It's The Meta Quest Now

Dave LeClair — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 11:44:54 GMT

Every VR fan seems to love the Oculus Quest 2, and their love has generated some pretty powerful brand recognition. However, that's not going to stop Meta, as the company is rebranding its beloved headset to the Meta Quest, which is an interesting choice, to say the least.Related: What Is the Metaverse? Is It Just Virtual Reality, or Something More?The company posted on Twitter about the change, saying, "New Name. Same Mission." It also changed the name of the Twitter account to @MetaQuestVR, fully letting everyone know that the Oculus brand is gone and Meta is here to stay.

The PlayStation VR 2 Isn't Wireless, and That's a Good Thing

Sydney Butler — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:00:26 GMT

The PlayStation VR 2 headset uses a single USB-C cable to connect to the PlayStation 5. Some fans are dismayed by the cable, especially in the world of the wire-free Quest 2, but Sony made the right choice.

Hey Sony, We Want the PlayStation VR 2 for PC VR, Too

Sydney Butler — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 08:00:45 GMT

Sony's next-generation PlayStation VR 2 headset is truly impressive. That makes it a real shame to limit it to the PlayStation 5 alone. We think Sony has much to gain by opening the PSVR 2 to PC users, too.

What Is Foveated Rendering?

Tim Brookes — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 09:00:21 GMT

If you've been following virtual reality headset developments you might have come across the term "foveated rendering" used in press conferences and marketing materials. The technique can help improve VR performance, which is important in maintaining immersion and reducing motion sickness.

The Oculus Quest 2 Is Great, and It's the Future of VR

Sydney Butler — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 21:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Quest 2 represents a major shift not just for Oculus, but for VR as a whole. Compact, affordable, and almost infinitely versatile, this is the template for the future of VR. One day we'll remember it started here.

Your Oculus Quest Now Works Better With PC VR Games on Steam

Dave LeClair — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 10:24:55 GMT

Even though Valve has its own virtual reality headset, the company has made an update to its SteamVR platform that will help make using Meta's Oculus Quest headsets more pleasant with PC VR games on Steam.

Remembering VRML: The Metaverse of 1995

Benj Edwards — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 07:00:38 GMT

In the early 1990s, futurists and corporations combined forces to create VRML, a Virtual Reality Modeling Language that promised to bring 3D graphics and virtual worlds to the web, heralding the dawn of the metaverse. Here's what it was---and why it didn't work out.

How to Copy Screenshots From Oculus Quest 2 to a PC or Mac

Benj Edwards — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:00:16 GMT

If you need to transfer Oculus Quest 2 screenshots to your Windows PC or Mac, the method might not seem obvious, but it's actually pretty easy. For a PC, all you need is the proper USB cable. On a Mac, you'll also need to use a free utility. Here's how to do it.

How to Clear Your Browser History on Oculus Quest 2

Benj Edwards — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 15:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Browser on the Oculus Quest 2 keeps a record of every website you visit on its History page. If you don't clear it, people who use your headset after you can see which sites you've been viewing. Here's how to clear that browsing data.

How to Use Private Browsing on Your Oculus Quest 2

Benj Edwards — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Your Oculus Quest 2 comes with the Oculus Browser, which will let you browse the web privately without keeping a record of your browsing history. Here's how to quickly enable private browsing on both the Quest 1 and Quest 2 headsets.

Sony Teases the PlayStation VR 2, Here's What We Know

Dave LeClair — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:42:45 GMT

Virtual reality is constantly growing. It's about to have another big growth spurt, as Sony has teased us with a little more information about its next-generation headset at CES 2022, which we've now learned will be called the PlayStation VR 2.

There Is No Metaverse (Yet)

Benj Edwards — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT

There's a lot of talk about the metaverse in the media these days, but there's only one problem: It doesn't exist---at least not yet. How will we know when it's actually here? We'll explore the possibilities.

What Is the Metaverse? Is It Just Virtual Reality, or Something More?

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Tech CEOs keep talking about "the metaverse." Mark Zuckerberg insists that Facebook will be seen as a "metaverse company" instead of a social media company---so much so that he renamed the company "Meta." Satya Nadella proclaims Microsoft is creating a "metaverse stack" for the enterprise. We'll explain what's going on, starting with Snow Crash.

What Is "Presence" in VR, and Why Is it So Important?

Sydney Butler — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 08:00:34 GMT

Modern virtual reality's big breakthrough was the ability to create "presence," a feeling of being in a place other than where you are. Achieving presence was a long and difficult process, but it's the secret sauce that makes modern VR magical.

The Best VR Games for Oculus Quest, PC, and PSVR

Sydney Butler — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Modern virtual reality headsets have huge libraries of quality games, and developers keep coming up with great new experiences to take advantage of the technology. Whatever VR headset you have, we've got a list of awesome games you need to try.

How Important Are Refresh Rates in VR?

Sydney Butler — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 08:00:23 GMT

There are many specifications that matter when it comes to VR, but refresh rate is often overlooked. While "field of view" or screen resolution are important in their own right, the headsets refresh rate can mean the difference between immersion and aversion.

Meta's Free VR Social Experience Is Available for Everyone

Dave LeClair — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:31:57 GMT

Meta just announced that it is bringing its virtual reality social experience called Horizon Worlds to all users who are over 18 years of age today. Additionally, the company announced a new laser tag game that you and your friends can play.

How to Measure Your IPD (and Why It Matters for VR)

Sydney Butler — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 09:00:39 GMT

Your IPD (Interpupillary Distance) is a measurement of the distance between your pupils when looking straight ahead. Virtual reality headsets need this information to present the best experience, but you'll need to measure your IPD first before adjusting the setting.

How to Create a Throwaway Facebook Account for Oculus Quest

Sydney Butler — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 14:00:31 GMT

The Oculus Quest 2 is the best all-around VR headset you can buy, but that recommendation comes with a huge asterisk. In order to use a Quest 2, you need a Facebook account! Luckily, you can minimize that hassle.

What Is Inside-Out Tracking in VR?

Sydney Butler — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:00:31 GMT

For virtual reality to work, the position of the headset in 3D space is crucial information. Inside-out VR tracking uses onboard cameras and machine learning to perform this measurement, and it's quickly becoming the gold standard for VR head tracking.

Why Doesn't the Xbox Series X Have VR?

Sydney Butler — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:00:31 GMT

The PlayStation VR is the only virtual reality solution for console gamers today and, with the PSVR 2 for the PlayStation 5 rumored to be just around the corner, there's still no answer from the Xbox camp. Why are the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One all missing VR support?

How to Play PC VR Games on an Oculus Quest 2

Sydney Butler — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:00:27 GMT

The Oculus Quest can work as a standalone headset, but you can also connect it to a PC for a full PC VR experience. The process is relatively easy, works with a wired connection or wirelessly, and gives you full access to SteamVR and a large universe of PC VR games.

How the PSVR 2's Foveated Rendering Could Transform VR

Sydney Butler — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 08:00:02 GMT

VR has come a long way since the original Oculus Rift, but there's room for improvement. Foveated rendering is an advanced technology found in few headsets, but rumor has it that the upcoming PSVR 2 headset from Sony has it as standard.

Facebook Launches Free Virtual Reality Meeting Tool

Dave LeClair — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 08:47:32 GMT

Virtual meetings are becoming the norm for many companies. Facebook announced that businesses who own an Oculus Quest 2 headset can now have meetings in the company's Horizon Workrooms. It's like getting together with your coworkers without any of the risks.

VR Isn't a Fad Anymore, It Really Is the Future

Dave McQuilling — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 13:00:28 GMT

If you need any further proof we live in the future, just look at Virtual Reality (VR). After several attempts, it's actually becoming the gateway into a new universe we were always promised. S,o let's take a look at why this current VR generation is actually living up to the hype.

What Is HDMI VRR on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X?

Tim Brookes — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 06:40:00 GMT

PC gamers have been enjoying variable-refresh-rate (VRR) gaming for years. Finally, Sony and Microsoft are bringing VRR to your living room with their next-generation consoles.

Virtually Forgotten: Nintendo's Virtual Boy, 25 Years Later

Benj Edwards — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:40:11 GMT

In 1995, Nintendo released an unusual stereoscopic game console called Virtual Boy. It capitalized on the early '90s media hype for virtual reality, but delivered on none of its promises. Here's what made the Virtual Boy unique---and why it failed.

How to Play Steam VR Games Wirelessly on Your Oculus Quest

Anthony Heddings — Sat, 23 May 2020 08:00:44 GMT

The Oculus Quest is a fully stand-alone headset. It's free of the wires of PC-only headsets. However, if you want to use it on a PC to play Steam VR games, you'll need special software to do so wirelessly.

The State of VR Headsets in 2019: What Should You Buy?

Dave Johnson — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 11:40:00 GMT

In the last three years, virtual reality hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Even so, 2019 shaped up to be VR's best year ever, with new headsets that might have cracked the code on what gamers need.

How to Properly Set Up PlayStation VR

Oliver Haslam — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:24:07 GMT

The PlayStation VR (PSVR) headset plugs into PS4 and creates a bona fide virtual reality experience. But like all VR headsets, it needs lots of cables. We'll show you how to plug everything in and set up your room to get the most out of your PSVR.

Future Tech: What We're Most Excited About

Andrew Heinzman — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 06:40:19 GMT

It might be a little early to celebrate the death of the twenty-teens, but we can't help but look at the future. Wave goodbye to crappy internet, console gaming, and unconvincing Instagram filters. Say hello to the tech of the future.

What Is the "Screen Door Effect" in VR?

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT

The "screen door effect" often occurs when using modern virtual reality headsets. It looks like you're viewing the world through a mesh screen, and is a result of the black, empty spaces between pixels when seen up close.

Today's VR is Just the Start: Here's What is Coming in the Future

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 06:40:00 GMT

The Oculus Quest is an impressive piece of hardware, but there's so much more to come. Virtual reality is just getting started. Here's what has us most excited.

Gear VR vs Oculus Go: Which One is Better?

Cameron Summerson — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 09:00:00 GMT

Oculus Go puts VR on the head of anyone with an extra couple hundred bucks lying around, but what if you already have a Galaxy phone? Is Oculus Go better than Gear VR at double the price? Let's find out.

Google Daydream vs. Gear VR: Which Mobile VR Headset is Better?

Cameron Summerson — Wed, 30 May 2018 09:00:00 GMT

When it comes to mobile VR there are two major competitors: Google Daydream View and Samsung Gear VR. If you have a Galaxy phone, you can use either. So which one is better? Turns out, it depends on what you're after.

How to Force Reboot Your Oculus Go (When It Stops Working)

Lowell Heddings — Fri, 25 May 2018 09:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Go headset is really great, but sometimes it just locks up and stops working. And when that happens, the easiest thing to do is reboot it. But what's the best way to reboot it? Here's what you need to know.

How to Fix Oculus Go Battery Life Problems

Lowell Heddings — Fri, 18 May 2018 15:00:00 GMT

We've been having a lot of fun playing with the new Oculus Go VR headset, but the battery life is terrible, and not just when you're using it. The battery drains in a few hours just sitting there! Here's how to get better battery life out of your Oculus Go.

How to Watch Any Video on Oculus Go, Rift, HTC Vive, Gear VR, or Daydream

Whitson Gordon — Tue, 15 May 2018 04:04:00 GMT

You probably got that Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, or HTC Vive to play games, but VR can also offer a seriously immersive video-watching experience. Here's how to watch a movie on any VR headset, whether it's a regular 2D movie, a 3D movie, or a full 360-degree VR production.

How to Stream VR Videos or Movies to Oculus Go from PC or Mac

Lowell Heddings — Thu, 10 May 2018 10:24:00 GMT

The Oculus Go is a great VR headset, but it doesn't have a lot of storage. All your videos and movies are on your PC, so rather than copy them to your Oculus, why not just stream them? Here's how to do that.

How to Delete Downloaded Files on Oculus Go

Lowell Heddings — Fri, 04 May 2018 10:36:26 GMT

So you downloaded something really embarrassing on your Oculus Go headset, like a Linux fan club movie. Now you need to clean up your tracks, but where do you go? Here's how to delete downloaded videos (or other files) on your Oculus Go.

How to See or Clear Your Browser History on Oculus Go

Lowell Heddings — Thu, 03 May 2018 22:59:40 GMT

Well, you've really done it this time. You searched for something embarrassing---like "Linux"---on your Oculus, and now it's in your search history. What are you going to do? Luckily, we've got the instructions for clearing your browser or search history on your Oculus Go.

How to Use Private Browsing on Your Oculus Go

Lowell Heddings — Thu, 03 May 2018 22:47:11 GMT

The Oculus Go is a great headset, but there's no easy way to keep things secret on there. What if you want to browse something embarrassing---like a Linux fan page? Here's how to use Incognito (Private Browsing) mode on the Oculus Go.

How to Transfer VR Videos to Your Oculus Go from Your PC (And Play Them)

Lowell Heddings — Thu, 03 May 2018 22:29:41 GMT

You just got a shiny new Oculus Go headset to play games and watch VR movies, but how do you get those movies onto the VR headset in the first place? Here's how to move videos from your PC or Mac to your Oculus Go.

How Good is VR in 2018? Is It Worth Buying?

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 06:40:00 GMT

In 2018, VR headsets are better and cheaper than they've ever been. They were overhyped and they haven't transformed the world, but they're really cool toys. So are they worth investing in yet?

How Is The HTC Vive Pro Better Than The Original Vive?

Michael Crider — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:00:00 GMT

We finally know when HTC's new-and-improved Vive Pro VR headset is coming, and for how much. But what makes it better than the original Vive that debuted two years ago? Let's break it down.

Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive: Which VR Headset Is Right for You?

Michael Crider — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 10:24:00 GMT

The home virtual reality market might be a long way from mature, but the two main players on the PC side are firmly established: Facebook-owned Oculus and its Rift headset, and HTC's Vive platform partnered with Valve.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive?

Michael Crider — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:23:00 GMT

The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the only retail-available VR headsets to use conventional gaming PCs as a platform, have been on the market for over a year. That's long enough for fans to wonder when new models will be coming out...and long enough for sellers to want to move some of the existing stock. So, is it a good time to dive head-first into virtual reality?

The Best Wireless VR Setups, Current and Upcoming

Michael Crider — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 10:24:00 GMT

Virtual reality is the next big thing in digital gaming...and this time it might even stick around. But one of the biggest hurdles to adoption for VR systems like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive is that, at the end of the day, you're strapping a screen to your face and tethering yourself to a computer. Having a thick bundle of cables rip off your headset just as you're getting into the game is a long way from the immersive future we've been promised.

How to Set Up Google Cardboard on Android

Cameron Summerson — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 09:00:00 GMT

If you're hungry for a taste of this new-fangled virtual reality, Google Cardboard is by far the cheapest (and easiest) way to get in on the action. Sure, it's not as high quality as something like the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, or even the mobile-focused Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream, but it's still a nice experience for the little investment involved.

How to Set Up and Use Samsung Gear VR

Cameron Summerson — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:00:00 GMT

So you've got your Samsung Galaxy device and the company's accompanying virtual reality headset, Gear VR. That's awesome! Gear VR provides a great, inexpensive taste of what virtual reality has to offer. Let's show you how to get that thing all set up and running so you can strap it your face and travel to far away lands. Get hype.

Can You Wear Glasses With an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive Headset?

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 11:23:00 GMT

The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive virtual reality headsets sit over your eyes, and glasses can get in the way. You can use some pairs of glasses with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, but you may want to measure your glasses before you buy a headset.

How to Play Any Game in VR With SteamVR's Desktop Theater Mode

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:24:00 GMT

Whether you have an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, you can take advantage of SteamVR. Steam allows you to play any game in your library--even 2D games not designed for VR--in a virtual "desktop theater" mode on your headset of choice.

How to Play SteamVR Games (and Other Non-Oculus Apps) on the Oculus Rift

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 08:00:00 GMT

The Oculus Rift is locked down by default, and will only run games and apps from Oculus's own store. You'll see an "Unknown Source" message on the Rift if you try to run something else. But change one setting, and you can use Valve's SteamVR or any other Rift-enabled app or game.