Virtual reality (VR) headset applications can immerse people in incredible 360-degree visual effects. There's no need to spend thousands of dollars on high-end headsets, you can enjoy a great virtual reality experience using a smartphone and some great apps.
While early VR applications were limited to high-end headsets, there are now a variety of options for turning a smartphone into an immersive device.
What is Virtual Reality and what are its applications?
Virtual reality is the technology capable of immersing us in completely digital alternative worlds, in which we, the users, decide where to focus our attention.
3D environments in which our senses no longer perceive the real world thanks to total immersion through Virtual Reality glasses (HMD or Head-Mounted Display) and their accessories.
The various controllers, gloves, headphones and haptic suits not only allow us to see, hear and feel these new digital experiences, but also offer us great freedom of movement to enjoy the virtual universe.
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The future of virtual reality
The future of Virtual Reality looks promising and full of exciting possibilities. As technology continues to advance, we can expect significant advancements that will further push the boundaries of this innovative form of interaction.
One of the main trends in the future of virtual reality is the constant improvement in the visual quality and resolution of devices. As Virtual Reality displays evolve, we will see sharper images, more vibrant colors and greater visual fidelity, which will allow for an even more immersive and realistic experience.
Another highlight is the development of more inclusive VR, which will make Virtual Reality more accessible and comfortable for all devices. Additionally, a greater focus is expected on the integration of haptic technologies, which allow touch to be felt and experienced in virtual environments. This will open up new possibilities in terms of interaction with virtual objects and the feeling of immersion in the virtual world.
In addition, Virtual Reality will also integrate with other emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality, to create even more incredible experiences and merge the digital world with the real world.
The future of Virtual Reality is shaping up to be an exciting journey towards total immersion and expanding applications across diverse fields. With continued technological advancements, Virtual Reality will continue to surprise us and transform the way we live, learn, play and work.
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The 10 virtual reality apps you need to know
So, without further ado, let's start with the list of top 10 virtual reality apps with a brief introduction and their key features.
Orbulus
Enjoy different landscapes from around the world with one of the best tools, Orbulus. It is considered one of the top 10 virtual reality apps for iOS and Android platforms for its set of essential elements, which include analytics and a simple user interface. So if you're eager to travel the world without limits, check out Orbulus.
The idea behind the app is to “teleport the user around the world”. And instead of clicking on the screen, it works with the “looking” mechanism, where you have to look at the options for a specific period of time to activate each action.
- Price: Free
- Supported platform: Android and iOS
InCell VR
Do you enjoy learning about science facts? If so, there may be no better app for you than InCell VR. InCell VR (Cardboard) is a virtual reality action racing game about science and clever strategies.
The app takes you on a tour inside human cells, showing how cell reproduction works in a super interesting way. In addition, the game focuses on overcoming a virus surrounded by a colorful environment.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
YouTube VR
360-degree videos arrived on the YouTube app in 2015. Since then, the platform has not stopped receiving new content recorded in this format and the number of examples is enormous. Quality varies greatly as anyone with a 360-degree camera can upload new videos, but the user experience is very good.
Normal, rectangular videos can also be viewed within the application with Theater Mode, cinema style, in which the video is presented from one side of the viewer to the other: a large virtual screen. All YouTube functions are included: playlists, favorite videos, history, subscriptions... 360-degree videos are usually accompanied by spatial sound.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
Discovery VR
If you like watching horror content, this is the ideal 3D virtual reality app for you. The adventure storyline offers you the real-time wildlife experience. All you need is a virtual reality headset to start enjoying this app, its binaural and directional audio and impressive video quality.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
Virtual Speech
Want to improve your public speaking skills? This virtual reality app is the solution as it offers a virtual stage where you can practice your speeches in front of a completely personalized virtual audience.
Considered an essential tool to help those who tend to get nervous in front of a real audience. Therefore, it will be of great help if you practice in the form of virtual reality before carrying out the real experience.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
Google Cardboard
One of the best VR apps is Google Cardboard, where you can launch your favorite VR experiences, discover the latest updates, and configure the viewer.
It has some demos to get you started discovering virtual reality. Additionally, there is also a video section where you can upload your own videos. You can also try some of the demos included in the app, such as Tour Guide, Earth, Exhibit, My Videos, PhotoSphere, and Arctic Journey.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
Google Earth VR
When virtual reality began to gain prominence as a means of entertainment, many saw the fascinating potential of Google Earth in this new context. The possibility of exploring the world virtually, flying over cities and landscapes as immersively as a hypersonic satellite, has opened new frontiers of experience for users.
By providing a broad global perspective, Google Earth has redefined the concept of virtual travel, inspiring curiosity and a sense of discovery about the world around us.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
NYTVR
It is an app from the New York Times that offers a virtual reality experience in the news section. You can enjoy all the videos and articles about events that the world has not had the chance to see for itself except for the journalists represented by this app. The app tries to spark interest and empathy in the general public.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
LIFE VR
Every month, the editors of LIFE, from the Time Inc conglomerate (mass media that includes names like Time, Fortune, People, Sports Illustrated, Life itself and many other renowned publications), select the best immersive content they have published to present it in this app where users can consume professional-looking virtual reality for free.
Reports, trips, extensive articles, infographics, some of the best recent stories published in this North American media group with international transcendence are presented before the eyes of any user eager for information treated with excellence both in its narrative structure and in its visual impact. Finally, an essential application to enjoy top-notch virtual reality.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
Fulldive VR
Self-defined as a social virtual reality platform, Fulldive VR accumulates more than a million videos and images generated by users of the same application from different parts of the world. They claim that 100% of the content was shared by individuals, although it also offers channels with 360-degree content that has been uploaded to YouTube and allows you to keep track of what your friends have uploaded, viewed or commented on at any time. It's virtual reality with social networking functions.
Finally, from the first moment, Fulldive VR offers a complete virtual reality experience: the 360-degree navigation menus immerse the user in all viewing angles and have a “Discover” section, where you can discover the content available and what the user community likes most. Each commentable content is rated and includes reactions in the form of smiles. It also includes 500 game titles in its own marketplace, although they are quite simple games.
- Price: Free
- Compatible Platform: Android, iOS
Conclusion
In Summary, we explore the top ten virtual reality apps available for iOS and Android. Each of these applications demonstrated quality and won users' preference due to their performance.
These platforms not only push the boundaries of virtual experience, but also promote immersive and exciting engagement with diverse forms of interactive content.
