Tokyo venue offers virtual reality 'flights' to see the sights of Paris
Fasten your seatbelts for a flight to Paris, and never leave the ground. That's exactly what 12 passengers did at First Airlines in central Tokyo last week, relaxing in first- and business-class seats, served with four-course dinners, before immersing themselves in a 360-degree virtual reality ...
The 2018 fashion cycle is just beginning
The "new year, new you" cliche that tempts consumers to spend more on style at this time of the year often has even the most cynical admitting that an excuse to indulge feels good. But when it comes to genuinely new fashion, it's actually ...
The gods are back "Okami" is one of the most beautiful and imaginative games ever made. It first came out in 2006 on the PlayStation 2 and was dubbed the best game of that year. Over a decade later it is still wonderful. "Okami" is a ...
Japanese planetariums and art museums tap VR craze to offer immersive experiences
With virtual reality technology becoming all the rage, planetariums and museums are cashing in on the trend to give visitors a closer view of the stars and artworks. Precision equipment maker Konica Minolta Inc. is offering VirtuaLink, a VR facility in Tokyo's Koto Ward, as ...
Japanese firm uses VR simulations to offer a glimpse into the world of dementia
On a moderately crowded train, I've just woken up after dozing off, but I can't remember where I am or where I'm going. Apart from the noise of the moving train, it's quiet, and the other passengers are half asleep, fiddling with their phones ...
Giant robots and futuristic cyberpunk castles rise out of lush mountain slopes on the outskirts of Guiyang, the capital of one of China's poorest provinces. Welcome to China's first virtual reality theme park, which aims to ride a boom in demand for virtual entertainment set ...
Preliminary tests show avatars can help schizophrenia patients control threatening voices
An experimental therapy for people with schizophrenia that brings them face-to-face with a computer avatar representing the tormenting voices in their heads has proved promising in early stage trials. Scientists who conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing the avatar therapy to a form of supportive ...
Japanese towns look to draw foreign tourists with virtual reality videos
As governments across Japan seek to attract more foreign tourists, some are developing smartphone apps featuring virtual reality videos. Municipalities, especially those with lesser-known sightseeing spots, hope such VR videos will be instrumental in reaching out to potential tourists both in Japan and overseas. The central ...
Fun with zombies, kaiju and Mario in your living room
Hungry for a new PSVR experience? For those who haven't yet purchased the PlayStation VR, Sony is releasing an updated version, model number CUH-ZVR2. Unlike the original PSVR, the new one has a new processor unit, integrated stereo earphone cables and a slimmer connection lead. In ...
VR attractions to take center stage at Tokyo Game Show
With the debut of high-end virtual reality gaming systems for home use, 2016 was heralded as the dawn of the VR era. But while the technology basked in the spotlight, some questioned whether there was substance behind the hype. If this year's Tokyo Game Show ...
Apple bets on augmented reality to sell iPhone X — its most expensive handset yet
Apple Inc. has packed its new-model, top of the line iPhone with augmented reality (AR) features, betting the nascent technology will persuade consumers to pay premium prices for its products even as cheaper alternatives abound. The iPhone X — Apple's most expensive phone ever, priced ...
Game industry vamps up classics
The 'Sonic' boom Among video game fans, there's something called the Sonic Cycle — when a new "Sonic" game is announced and players get incredibly excited, and then the game comes out — with both good and bad results. With the game's uneven track record ...
