The team behind Minecraft, the popular open-world game beloved for its freedom to create and build, has teamed up with Oculus to release an official edition that takes you even further into the block-based world using a Samsung Gear VR headset. While the Oculus Rift version itself is still forthcoming, Gear VR users can play right now. Minecraft: Gear VR Edition contains all the features of the currently available Pocket Edition, including Survival and Create modes. It also has cross-platform compatibility with the Windows 10 version. Players have the choice to play the game in the default theatrical mode or, if they really want to dive deep into the experience, they can opt for the first-person mode that plunges you right into the worlds of the game. You can also switch in and out of the modes using a finger tap, as explained in Mojang's handy user guide. There are also more finely tuned controls to give players more comfort in getting through the game, so as to not add more strain...more

Facebook announced at its F8 Developer's Conference on April 12th that, in addition to the VR-ready Oculus Rift we have today, it plans to bring Augmented Reality (AR) into the fold of their social machine. The company is looking to dominate the 'new' reality market, no doubt about it. Just look at the lofty goals in its official roadmap: "[http://www.relatably.com/m/img/dr-evil-meme-laser/52982953.jpg Lasers]" as a company goal... dream big, Zuckerberg, dream big. Augmented reality is still taking baby steps in getting useful technology to market; Google Glass fizzled, and one of the most hyped AR apps is catching Pokémon in real life. Then you have HoloLens from Microsoft and Magic Leap—both undoubtedly very far along in the process, but also at least a couple of years from being consumer-ready. But Mark Zuckerberg is pushing AR, suggesting perhaps a counter to Google Glass and the bulky hardware required with current-gen VR headsets. A roadmap is just a projection of the hopes a...more

The highly anticipated VR headset hasn't been on the market long, but there's an issue that has some consumers, and even government officials, concerned about the Oculus Rift. You probably guessed the issue surrounds privacy and the extensive, not-so-secret way that it's collecting your personal data. The privacy concerns came about as various customers and media outlets took notice of the rather lengthy Terms and Services that pop up once you strap yourself into the Rift headset. The fine print basically says that not only would Oculus have the rights to obtain any data it collects on your location and your physical movements, but it also reserves the right to share that data with Facebook, in addition to other data it collects as you play games and use additional services. Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, who's long been an advocate for consumer rights and privacy with a history of pointedly asking tech giants about their intentions, has taken Oculus to task. In a letter to Oculus...more

The Oculus Rift is finally shipping to customers in more than 20 countries, and we're getting a good idea of how the device holds up from the initial reviews. You'll see some common threads throughout: along with an impressive virtual reality experience, the device is very comfortable with a solid design. But it's not all rainbows and butterflies here, so let's take a look at some of the downsides of this very niche and expensive product. Price & CompetitionGizmodo notes the headset's high price is a good reason to wait for the HTC Vive's release before getting the Rift. If you're going to spend a lot of money, you may as well get the best product available. Alex Cranz/Gizmodo"Then there's the price. The Rift package alone costs $600. Add the $950 PC we used, and you're looking at a total of $1550. It's a shitload of money, and probably enough to mean Oculus will remain mostly niche. In other words, even if Oculus made a device that's accessible to all, it's still pretty much only...more

Since its purchase by Microsoft in 2014, Minecraft has regularly been pushed to new platforms such as Windows 10, Wii U, and Fire TV. In that spirit, Microsoft-owned Mojang has been developing virtual- and augmented-reality versions of the blocky sandbox game. Recently, Oculus, whose technology powers the Samsung Gear VR, demoed a modified Minecraft Pocket Edition for the Gear VR at GDC 2016. Early reviews have found that its first-person nature introduces a big potential for nausea, but the game can certainly be enjoyable if you're fine with the controls. Check out the gameplay video below for a better idea, courtesy of the guys over at Polygon (note that they're using the Oculus rather than the Gear VR). You're able to play in either a full VR or Cinema mode. The former puts you inside your Minecraft character, providing an immersive experience. In Cinema mode, Minecraft is placed on a virtual display inside a virtual room. To operate your character, you have to use an external...more

Virtual reality technology company Oculus VR announced that it will begin accepting preorders for its long-awaited Oculus Rift headset beginning Wednesday, January 6th, at 8 a.m. Pacific time. The Facebook-owned company hasn't released any pricing details yet, but the blog post that the preorder was announced on mentioned that information will be available on "everything you need to know to order your Rift on Wednesday when pre-orders go live." Taking the Oculus Rift and Touch for a spin. Each Oculus Rift will ship with two games, Lucky's Tale and EVE: Valkyrie (demoed below). The package also comes with an Xbox One wireless controller. Oculus is also developing its own handheld dual controller, called Touch, that will further immerse the player in the virtual reality environment. Touch controllers aren't expected until sometime in the second half of 2016. Oculus founder Palmer Luckey will be answering questions in a Reddit AMA on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Pacific time. Cover image via...more

Samsung has shown off its new smartwatch, the Gear S, and its twonew Notes, the Note 4 and the Note Edge at IFA 2014, but it had one more trick up its sleeve. Partnered with Oculus, the Gear VR uses the Note 4's QHD-screen as the display. Currently, the device is meant for developers, but his headset will be available later this year to the general public. Although pricing information has not yet been released, it will no doubt be a major factor is how this product is received, with competition from Facebook's Rift and Sony's Project...more