Slashdot Mirror
Ibex Virtual Reality Desktop Beta For Mac Released
New submitter Hesh writes "Ibex, the first cross-platform VR desktop of its kind, was previously released for Linux, and has finally been updated to work on Mac OS X Mountain Lion. Running at a silky smooth 60fps, it is nearing final release and awaiting delivery of the developer Oculus Rift kits for final integration testing. A Windows version may be released in time. The source can be found on bitbucket for the Linux version and iPhone orientation sensor client while the Mac source is to follow soon at the same location."
This is Unix, I know this!
Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
On Linux it is actually a compositor. On the Mac you use the built-in compositor to render the desktop to a virtual desktop then allow full interaction with it from the virtual world.
It also adds the ability to work with the Oculus Rift (http://oculusvr.com) so that you actually look around and the companion iPhone app (and as it is open-source any other platform really) will let you navigate. The plan is also to add support for the Leap Motion (https://leapmotion.com) so that you can navigate the world using gestures, look around anywhere you want, and if you want, still get work done.
Imagine you are on a plane, instead of using your puny laptop screen you can use a giant virtual one (or many giant virtual ones). This is just the beginning.
Step one is to get a virtual environment that works, this works. Step two is to get a virtual reality headset, the Oculus will help with that. Step three is to write whatever programs you want that fit into that world rather than have every single VR program be its own separate entity requiring one to leave the experience just to even switch to another app. It is important that there be a beginning.