Joe Chisholm’s son Vincent uses his dad’s Oculus Quest 2 headset
Hello readers, local and afar, and welcome to the Kingsville Times Tech Corner with your tech guru Joe Chisholm. In this debut edition, we shall be strapping on a gadget enabling you to enter exotic places, to take part in adventures and gaming, and to get some much needed work done on your personal computer — all without leaving the comfort of your couch.
We are of course talking about the endless possibilities of Virtual Reality. Never before has there been such desire to travel abroad, shoot some hoops with friends, or get back to the office, since the continued restrictions we have due to COVID-19.
We might not be able to do those things currently, but a close second is waiting for you around the corner at your local online electronics shop.
Joe’s daughter Sophia with the Oculus Quest 2
Oculus Quest 2
I was fortunate enough to acquire an Oculus Quest 2 by Facebook from Amazon, which does all of the above without a high-powered PC, gaming console, or anything else. It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience unlike anything else you’ve tried to date, even if you have some familiarity with the world of VR.
The Quest stands out from its competitors and predecessors in one main way -– it is an all-in-one, stand-alone unit. That’s right. No wires, no complex hookups. Just you and your VR headset, and two ergonomic hand-held controllers. You are literally up and running with the push of a button. Connect to your WIFI router, and a new world of VR awaits you.
With a vast and ever-growing library of games and apps, there is plenty to keep you entertained and stimulated while we endure the perils of our current lockdown.
Let’s touch on a few of my favorite experiences with Quest 2.
Beat Saber
“Beat Saber” is an interactive music game that brings physical activity, mind-bending visuals and the challenge of applying your ability to keep a beat to a song — with the included reward and social interaction with friends and family.
Think Guitar Hero meets Star Wars light sabers and you are scratching the surface of this incredible gem.
Sinners and Saints
If you’re in for a scare to break up the monotony of your current day to day, fans of the critically acclaimed show “The Walking Dead” will rejoice with the debut of “Sinners and Saints.” It’s a first-person adventure into the post-apocalyptic zombie-infested lands waiting to be explored.
There’s danger around every corner, puzzles to be solved, and of course zombies to be rid of, with a creative arsenal of weapons that can be crafted and combined for some truly inspirational zombie-bashing fun!
Virtual Desktop
When you’ve had your fill of fun for the day, feel free to interact with Virtual Desktop, a gateway between you and your personal computer. Here you can control virtually (no pun intended) all aspects and software of your normal interactions with your computer, sans the office or sitting at your desk.
At the end of the day, relax with your favorite movie in your own personal movie theater, a chalet in the Alps, or one of many other environments to binge-watch your favorite Netflix series.
The Quest is somewhat in its infancy in regards to what is possible with this highly innovative piece of technology. Many companies are learning how to apply VR for training purposes in human resources, safety training for employees, and many other tasks that would normally involve person-to-person contact.
Whether you’d like to explore the Pryamids of Egypt with apps like Wanderer, rock climb some of the greatest destinations in The Climb, or indulge yourself in fully immersive 3D experiences in YouTube VR or Amazon Prime VR, the Oculus Quest 2 has something for everyone.
All photos by Joe Chisholm