14 Feb Tech We’re Crushing On 😍
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing some of our most LOVED hardware, games, and tech accessories.
Peter’s Pick:
HTC Vive, hardware
I use the HTC Vive almost every day. I prefer this system over others on the market because of its room scale and positional tracking. The base stations are currently able to track a 15’ x 15’ space really well and I can turn around in a game without experiencing any blind spots or lag.
The newly announced HTC Vive Pro and base station 2.0 is expected to perform even better at a higher resolution and in a 33’ x 33’ space. The other feature that makes the HTC Vive my go-to VR headset is app compatibility. I can play almost any VR game on the market on the Vive – I can even play games made exclusively for Oculus Rift using Revive.
Mixie thought the cord looked like a fun chew toy. I was able to get back up and running by replacing the cord, which was an easy and low-cost fix.
Annie’s Pick:
Vuzix M300, hardware
I love the Vuzix M300 and all that it promises for practical augmented reality. We’ve seen so many prototypes and concepts on other platforms, but the best thing about this device is that it’s field ready and tested.
Working with the Vuzix team has been an absolute pleasure and getting to meet them in person at CES was fantastic. We even got a sneak peek of their new Vuzix Blade!
One of the main services we offer is valuable virtual and augmented reality programming. We’re trying to push the envelope on what’s possible and as a software development company, we can only go as far as the hardware on which we’re presenting our work. There are some big things coming down the pike and we’re excited to be working with Vuzix technology. Stay tuned for some upcoming announcements!
Jane’s Pick:
Tilt Brush, game
The VR experience that captures my heart this Valentine’s day is Google’s Tilt Brush. I love being able to put on a headset and create masterpieces in a 3D space! There are many fun, dynamic brushes to play with that sync up with any music you want to add. Playing in Tilt Brush allows you to escape reality and create whatever you want. You can get up-close and personal with your creation by walking around and poking your head into angles that may not be possible in real life.
There’s also the ability to add Polys, a public collection of art, objects, animals, anything! For some at first, it is difficult to conceptualize painting in a 3D space. To help with that, there are blank canvases of 3D models that you can “remix”, or use as a starting point, to draw in 2D.
Paul’s Pick:
Overwatch, game
I’ve been playing Overwatch since beta and it quickly became one of my favorites. I enjoy having the option to play in short bursts – it makes it easier to play more frequently. Overwatch keeps players coming back by incorporating special events into gameplay. For instance, right now they are celebrating the Lunar New Year by introducing a challenge that references the Year of the Dog in gameplay.
Overwatch is one of the first games to have regional teams in eSports. It’s exciting to see eSports catching on in the U.S. and I’m hoping to see a team pop-up in Atlanta soon.
Amy’s Pick:
Ogio Ace Backpack, tech accessory
The Ogio Ace Backpack makes me feel like Mary Poppins. I can pack everything I need for work and travel and head out the door in no time. There’s a designated pocket for EVERYTHING, including a covert travel essentials pocket for important travel documents. The fleece lining in the laptop sleeve and tech accessory pockets are super luxurious and it helps to protect your screens from accidental scratches.
The main pocket can fit a Samsung Gear VR, a Samsung Gear 360, a ton of Futurus swag and nine juggling scarves.
I put the backpack to the ultimate test at CES in Las Vegas. I walked around with the backpack for 8+ hours and I almost forgot I had it on. The weight distribution is beyond anything I’ve experienced before in a backpack. The Futurus logo embroidered on the backpack takes it to the next level and makes it my favorite tech accessory.
