One of the biggest doubts about virtual reality is software. The main VR headsets come with their own app and game packages, but we are still waiting for that "explosion" that will let us enjoy this hardware much more.
The VR Software Landscape
We already know what they cost and the hardware they demand. Our hope is that virtual reality will optimize its requirements and broaden its reach, but we cannot ignore software. At the end of the day, it makes no sense to make such an investment in a headset if there is nothing good to do with it. While VR-supported games already exist, we imagine more exclusive and interactive content. Fortunately, many companies are working on very interesting projects with the potential to become the "great virtual application" we all desire. One of those projects is BigScreen.
BigScreen's core idea is essentially "a screen within a screen," or better, virtualizing both your monitor and its content. Imagine you're exploring a new star system in Elite: Dangerous, but an unexpected notification forces you to take off the headset, completely breaking the immersion. BigScreen's plan is to create a simple virtual environment where your main screen takes on the dimensions of a six-meter wall, and through its social component, BigScreen can also display shared screens from your friends.
At this moment, BigScreen is compatible with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, although you need to register to participate in its closed beta. The images give us an idea of what BigScreen would look like in action, but if they really want to make noise, they'll need to offer much more than that. With BigScreen, the possibility that virtual reality works as a background replacement for traditional monitors is established. The question is: How will users take it?
