GoPro launching new virtual reality camera, online platform

The race to create both the hardware and the software that will drive the emerging virtual reality market is heating up, and now GoPro has unveiled its latest plans to support VR filmmakers and fans.

At this week's NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) event in Las Vegas, the company will unveil a new VR camera and launch a new VR platform for sharing immersive videos.

First, GoPro will show off its new Omni VR camera, which features six synchronized cameras in what the company calls a spherical array, but the housing itself looks more like a rounded square.

The six Hero4 cameras, plus the aluminum rig, which is lightweight and made for action shots, will be offered for $4,999 and will allow users to capture 8K video.

The GoPro Omni

IMAGE: GOPRO

The company is also introducing GoPro VR, a combination website and free app platform for iOS and Android designed to showcase VR content from around the world as well as facilitate the sharing of that content.

In the run-up to the launch of the VR platform, GoPro released a stunning sample of some of the footage that will be available. The preview footage is fully interactive on YouTube, allowing you to pan around in all directions.

But despite the increasing amount of rich VR content out there, similar VR platforms like Samsung's Milk VR have so far failed to generate much interest beyond the VR enthusiast niche.

However, GoPro's mainstream footprint, and focus on capturing outdoor activities from skateboarding to surfing, could be just the thing to jumpstart a truly robust VR content sharing platform. 

IMAGE: GOPRO

Late last year, GoPro took the wraps off its highest end VR device called the GoPro Odyssey, a 16-camera circular array that sells for $15,000.

The Omni will be available for pre-order beginning Monday via the GoPro website.

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This is how calls and texts look in virtual reality, via the HTC Vive

This past week, Facebook showed us what it's like to take a virtual reality selfie using the Oculus Rift — an experience that has to be seen to truly grasp its awesomeness.

But that demo was just a prototype. You can't take VR selfies with the Oculus just yet. However, you can make phone calls in VR if you have the HTC Vive, and there's video showing how it works.

Delivering a scene we've only witnessed in fictional films like like Lawnmower Man — until now — a member of the crew over at Road to VR recorded a session (video above) in which he sends a text and makes a phone call.

To get VR calling and texting working, in addition to the HTC Vive headset, you'll need an Android smartphone, the Vive Windows Desktop app and Steam and SteamVR installed on a Windows PC.

Remaining connected to the outside world with minimum interruption to your ongoing VR exploits could change the way that many use VR, for everything from gaming to remote working situations (education, medicine, etc.).

Yes, the set-up is elaborate and just unwieldy enough to discourage many users. But that's not the point. People, VR phone calls and texts are real!

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