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vTime XR

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vTime XR
Initial releaseDecember, 2015
PlatformWindows Mixed Reality, Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, iOS, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go
TypeSocial software
Websitevtime.net Edit this on Wikidata

vTime XR is a free-to-play virtual reality and augmented reality social network created by British virtual and augmented reality innovation company vTime Limited,[1] developed in Liverpool in the UK. Cross platform, the app allows groups of up to four users to "jump into VR or AR and talk in what is essentially a private chat room. Users can customize an avatar and select a 3D environment to host the chat inside".[2]

Launching on Gear VR in December 2015, vTime was the first virtual reality social network on a mobile platform.[3] The app became the first social network to launch on Google Cardboard in March 2016,[4][5][6] and on Google Daydream in January 2017.[7] vTime was also the first virtual reality application to give its users the ability to socialise inside their own 360 images,[8] and was later a launch title for the Windows Mixed Reality platform in October 2017.[9]

In February 2019, vTime became the first cross reality (XR) social network after adding AR mode.[10][11] The update gives users the ability to meet and chat with people in a shared virtual space using AR, VR, or 2D Magic Window mode.

Experience

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"vTime likes to think of itself as a “sociable” network, rather than a social network, perhaps emphasising that these virtual social gatherings are essentially friendly and more genteel in nature than some of their counterparts".[12] The network focuses on facilitating shared conversations in virtual reality, though users without a VR headset are able to join sessions via 'Magic Window' mode on Android and iOS phones.[13] Cross platform, all user avatars support audio lip-syncing and avatar eye-tracking, and can use the network's library of virtual emojis 'vMotes' allowing "users to express themselves in numerous ways".[14] Users on high-end headsets can use platform controllers to add hand and body tracking to their sessions[15]

Funding

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In April 2018, the vTime Limited announced that it had raised $7.6 million (£5.4 million) in a series A funding round to accelerate development of the app.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Margolis, Jonathan (25 July 2016). "Virtual reality start-up goes from Liverpool to Silicon Valley". Financial Times.
  2. ^ "UK-based vTime raises $7.6 million to get people to create memories inside VR – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  3. ^ Hayden, Scott (2015-12-21). "'vTime' is a "Sociable Network", Now Available on Gear VR". Road to VR. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  4. ^ Kar, Ian. "There's a new social network where you can hang out with real people in virtual reality". Quartz. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  5. ^ Strange, Adario. "Virtual reality app lets you meet others in imaginary places". Mashable. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  6. ^ "VR social network vTime hits Google Cardboard (Tomorrow Daily 330)". CNET. 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  7. ^ "'vTime' Is Google Daydream's First Social Virtual Reality App". UploadVR. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  8. ^ "vTime, the social network for VR, now lets you hang out in your photographs". Digital Trends. 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  9. ^ "All the VR Apps and Games Available for Windows MR Launch Day". Shacknews. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  10. ^ Chapman, Stephen. "World's first cross reality social experience goes live". Prolific North.
  11. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Lead Writer, GamesBeat". VentureBeat. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Top Five VR Social Experiences". VRFocus. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  13. ^ "vTime, the social network for VR, now lets you hang out in your photographs". Digital Trends. 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  14. ^ "Get Emotional with vTime's vMotes for Oculus Rift and Gear VR Touchpad". VRFocus. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  15. ^ "VR Social App vTime Gets Oculus Touch Support". VRFocus. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  16. ^ "UK-based vTime raises $7.6 million to get people to create memories inside VR – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. 11 April 2018.
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