Difference between revisions of "Virtual Desktop"

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|Operating System=[[Windows]]
 
|Operating System=[[Windows]]
 
|Type=[[Software]]
 
|Type=[[Software]]
|Genre=[[Utilities]], [[VR]]
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|Genre=[[Utilities]], [[VR]], [[Virtual Reality Desktops]]
 
|Input Device=[[Keyboard / Mouse]]
 
|Input Device=[[Keyboard / Mouse]]
 
|Play Area=[[Seated]]
 
|Play Area=[[Seated]]
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|Infobox Updated=09/15/2016
 
|Infobox Updated=09/15/2016
 
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[[Virtual Desktop]] is a [[VR App]]. Virtual Desktop is a [[virtual reality]] [[app]] developed by [[Guy Godin]] that allows the user to view and interact with their desktop through an [[HMD]]. Users can operate their Windows  operating system's interface through their [[Oculus Rift (Platform)]] devices. The app allows the users to access all of their Windows programs such as games, web browser, Microsoft Office, media player and photo editing software through the [[VR]].
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==Introduction==
 +
[[Virtual Desktop]] is a [[Virtual Reality Desktop]] [[VR App|App]]. Virtual Desktop is a [[virtual reality]] [[app]] developed by [[Guy Godin]] that allows the user to view and interact with their desktop through an [[HMD]]. Users can operate their Windows  operating system's interface through their [[Oculus Rift (Platform)]] devices. The app allows the users to access all of their Windows programs such as games, web browser, Microsoft Office, media player and photo editing software through the [[VR]].
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
 +
==Review==
 +
If you can imagine what it would be like to be on your computer in a 3D realm, where you can place your windows and applications wherever you please in your near vicinity, without the pesky confines of your monitor; then I can assure you you’ve just imagined what Virtual Desktop is pretty much exactly.
 +
 +
As previously stated, it’s basically like having your monitor in a complete 360-degree view around you and for a number of reasons it can be construed as an obvious positive and a negative all at the same time. But I’ll touch on that in just a moment, as there are some things that should be brought up first of all.
 +
 +
Firstly, this isn’t a game; not at all. Virtual Desktop is 100% a tool and it expects you to use it as one and that means that whenever you load up the application it should be in the interest of furthering your immersion and entertainment value of using your computer. For instance, you can search the internet as you normally would or you can load up the video player and watch anything you please in your own personal 3D environment; so if you’ve ever wanted to watch Game of Thrones in an empty movie theatre, now is definitely your chance.
 +
 +
It’s safe to say there’s a lot you can use in Virtual Desktop, with some things clearly being designed for its use, such as watching TV shows and movies in your own environment. On the other hand, though, there are elements of it that seem like an unnecessary extra that doesn’t further the enjoyment of the application. For instance, when you’re on the main desktop, without having any extra additions loaded up, your “desktop” looks stretched out, far away, and reminds me of a curved monitor with a considerably lower resolution.
 +
 +
As I’ve mentioned, there are ways for you to use Virtual Desktop to enjoy certain elements of VR that you otherwise wouldn’t get to experience, but it all seems a tad unnecessary/unrefined. There are a number of reasons to throw on your VR headset at this point in the system's lifespan, but to watch movies on your computer in such a niche way is not one of these reasons.
 +
 +
It wouldn’t be quite as bad if you could trial the application, just to see if it was something that you’ve been looking for or at the very least to see how it all works. Unfortunately there’s no way to do that as of now, as the game costs over £10 and unless you ask for a refund on Steam, you won’t be getting the chance to use the app for free. It seems like the perfect tool to be free to play; and yet it is the exact opposite - something I feel is a pretty big detriment in its favour.
 +
 +
From an aesthetic point of view it’s hard to pick any faults with it, as it’s similar to how your desktop would actually work. On top of this, the UI definitely has some good design time spent in it, as you won’t have any issues trying to figure out what you can and can’t do.
 +
 +
Overall, though, Virtual Desktop has some good ideas and some good design choices, but the experience as a whole is not one that many people need or want; let alone have to purchase. There are some positives strewn about the place on this one, but they get easier and easier to ignore when the bigger problems start to quickly pile up.
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
 
Virtual Desktop is an application developed for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive that lets you use your computer in VR. You can browse the web, watch movies, Netflix or even play games on a giant virtual screen.
 
Virtual Desktop is an application developed for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive that lets you use your computer in VR. You can browse the web, watch movies, Netflix or even play games on a giant virtual screen.
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>Other features include:
 
<br>Other features include:
<br><ul class="bb_ul">
+
<br>
<li>Hardware accelerated 360 video playback
+
*Hardware accelerated 360 video playback
<br></li><li>Ability to play/stream YouTube 360 videos
+
*Ability to play/stream YouTube 360 videos
<br></li><li>Browse and view 360 photos
+
*Browse and view 360 photos
<br></li><li>MilkDrop support for music visualization
+
*MilkDrop support for music visualization
<br></li><li>3D Side-By-Side video support
+
*3D Side-By-Side video support
<br></li><li>Game launcher with voice commands
+
*Game launcher with voice commands
<br></li><li>Multi-monitor
+
*Multi-monitor
<br></li><li>Environment Editor to create custom environments
+
*Environment Editor to create custom environments
<br></li><li>Steam Workshop integration for environments
+
*Steam Workshop integration for environments
</li></ul>
+
 
 
==Features==
 
==Features==
 
*[[Steam Workshop]]
 
*[[Steam Workshop]]
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==Images and Videos==
 
==Images and Videos==
  
[[Category:Apps]] [[Category:VR Apps]] [[Category:Steam]][[Category:HTC Vive Apps]] [[Category:Oculus Rift Apps]] [[Category:Utilities]] [[Category:VR]] [[Category:Windows]]
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[[Category:Apps]] [[Category:VR Apps]] [[Category:Steam]][[Category:HTC Vive Apps]] [[Category:Oculus Rift Apps]] [[Category:Utilities]] [[Category:Virtual Reality Desktops]] [[Category:VR]] [[Category:Windows]]

Latest revision as of 04:04, 10 February 2017

Information icon1.png This page is a stub, please expand it if you have more information.
Virtual Desktop
Virtual desktop1.jpg
Information
VR/AR VR
Developer Guy Godin
Publisher Guy Godin
Platform SteamVR, Oculus Rift (Platform)
Device HTC Vive, Oculus Rift CV1
Operating System Windows
Type Software
Genre Utilities, VR, Virtual Reality Desktops
Input Device Keyboard / Mouse
Play Area Seated
Language English
Review Mostly Positive
Release Date Mar 31, 2016
Price $14.99
App Store Steam
Website http://www.vrdesktop.net/
Infobox Updated 09/15/2016

Introduction

Virtual Desktop is a Virtual Reality Desktop App. Virtual Desktop is a virtual reality app developed by Guy Godin that allows the user to view and interact with their desktop through an HMD. Users can operate their Windows operating system's interface through their Oculus Rift (Platform) devices. The app allows the users to access all of their Windows programs such as games, web browser, Microsoft Office, media player and photo editing software through the VR.

Review

If you can imagine what it would be like to be on your computer in a 3D realm, where you can place your windows and applications wherever you please in your near vicinity, without the pesky confines of your monitor; then I can assure you you’ve just imagined what Virtual Desktop is pretty much exactly.

As previously stated, it’s basically like having your monitor in a complete 360-degree view around you and for a number of reasons it can be construed as an obvious positive and a negative all at the same time. But I’ll touch on that in just a moment, as there are some things that should be brought up first of all.

Firstly, this isn’t a game; not at all. Virtual Desktop is 100% a tool and it expects you to use it as one and that means that whenever you load up the application it should be in the interest of furthering your immersion and entertainment value of using your computer. For instance, you can search the internet as you normally would or you can load up the video player and watch anything you please in your own personal 3D environment; so if you’ve ever wanted to watch Game of Thrones in an empty movie theatre, now is definitely your chance.

It’s safe to say there’s a lot you can use in Virtual Desktop, with some things clearly being designed for its use, such as watching TV shows and movies in your own environment. On the other hand, though, there are elements of it that seem like an unnecessary extra that doesn’t further the enjoyment of the application. For instance, when you’re on the main desktop, without having any extra additions loaded up, your “desktop” looks stretched out, far away, and reminds me of a curved monitor with a considerably lower resolution.

As I’ve mentioned, there are ways for you to use Virtual Desktop to enjoy certain elements of VR that you otherwise wouldn’t get to experience, but it all seems a tad unnecessary/unrefined. There are a number of reasons to throw on your VR headset at this point in the system's lifespan, but to watch movies on your computer in such a niche way is not one of these reasons.

It wouldn’t be quite as bad if you could trial the application, just to see if it was something that you’ve been looking for or at the very least to see how it all works. Unfortunately there’s no way to do that as of now, as the game costs over £10 and unless you ask for a refund on Steam, you won’t be getting the chance to use the app for free. It seems like the perfect tool to be free to play; and yet it is the exact opposite - something I feel is a pretty big detriment in its favour.

From an aesthetic point of view it’s hard to pick any faults with it, as it’s similar to how your desktop would actually work. On top of this, the UI definitely has some good design time spent in it, as you won’t have any issues trying to figure out what you can and can’t do.

Overall, though, Virtual Desktop has some good ideas and some good design choices, but the experience as a whole is not one that many people need or want; let alone have to purchase. There are some positives strewn about the place on this one, but they get easier and easier to ignore when the bigger problems start to quickly pile up.

Description

Virtual Desktop is an application developed for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive that lets you use your computer in VR. You can browse the web, watch movies, Netflix or even play games on a giant virtual screen.

Other features include:

  • Hardware accelerated 360 video playback
  • Ability to play/stream YouTube 360 videos
  • Browse and view 360 photos
  • MilkDrop support for music visualization
  • 3D Side-By-Side video support
  • Game launcher with voice commands
  • Multi-monitor
  • Environment Editor to create custom environments
  • Steam Workshop integration for environments

Features

System Requirements

Windows

Minimum

  • OS: Windows 8.x or Windows 10
  • Processor: i5-2500k
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVidia GTX 640 or ATI HD 7000/Rx 200
  • Storage: 500 MB available space

Recommended

  • OS: Windows 10
  • Processor: i5-2500k
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVidia GTX 760 or ATI Rx 200
  • Storage: 500 MB available space

Setup Instructions

Images and Videos