vTime XR

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]

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

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

"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

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
  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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