Samsung Gear VR gets Chromecast streaming support

Google promised at Google I/O that Daydream VR was getting Chromecast streaming support later in the year with the arrival of Daydream 2.0. But it looks like Samsung and Oculus one-upped Google and brought Chromecast streaming support to the Gear VR. The newest version of the Oculus app will now show a Cast button at the top right corner. When you tap on that, it’ll ask you to select the Chromecast-enabled device you want to stream to.

Source: Droid Life

Facebook now has a dedicated virtual reality app

Facebook is now stepping further into the virtual reality realm and muddying up a bit the separation between Facebook and Oculus. Oculus Video used to be the go-to app for Gear VR users who wanted to engage with Facebook videos. Now, with Facebook 360, that might change. The new app will be Facebook’s hub for 360-degree videos and photos. The social network claims there will be over a million videos and 25 million 360-degree photos to date and that’ll make for a robust start to the app. It currently only works for the Gear VR headset and can be downloaded on the Oculus Store.

Facebook 360 will have four main feeds, including the Explore, Following, Saved, and Timeline tab. Explore gives you a look at the popular content on the platform from different media companies and creators. Following shows you content created by your friends. Saved shows you the 360-degree content you’ve seen online and might have wanted to see while using the headset. And Timeline shows your own 360-degree photos and videos. You’ll be able to react to content, save, and share as well in the app. But Facebook promises there will be more social features coming up in the future.

Source: TechCrunch

Leak shows Samsung’s new Gear VR might work with the S6

A new leak ahead of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 event on August 2^nd shows the upcoming Gear VR headset and its features. According to OnLeaks and French tech site Nowhereelse, one of the key things about it is it’ll supposedly support not just the Note 7 but even the Galaxy S6. It’ll also reportedly offer a wider 110-degree view versus the 96-degree view offered by its predecessor. We’re just a couple of days away from seeing what Samsung plans to do with its new Gear VR. And of course, if all the rumours about the Note 7 hold up.

Source: Engadget

TIFFxPOP features high-end VR experiences from around the world

By Sonya Davidson

This summer TIFF brings virtual reality experience in a series of pop-up installations. Part 2 opens July 15 to 17, 2016 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. Titled POP 02: VR + Empathy + Real-World Storytelling is all about real-life storytelling. Experiences are through the eyes of someone else and seeing things from another person's perspective. Installations offer human emotional connections along side technology. A look at how virtual reality meets real life. 

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