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Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

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61–70 of 257 posts

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#61
post #17

> I am comfortable with at least two 27" monitors. I embraced a single-monitor workflow early in my career after experimenting and finding that having multiple monitors often makes me less productive than just switching workspaces with ⌘+tab. Now it's extended to a single-laptop workflow that's given me incredible flexibility to travel and move around the office. When do people really need multiple monitors? My only…

It's nice that it works for you, some people work differently.

For me a laptop screen is simply not usable for more than 2 windows, and sometimes I would like to reference 3-4 windows. Sometimes even 2 is too much on the laptop screens.

Alt tab doesn't work because now one window is partially hidden behind the other.

I've also experimented extensively with tiling, which doesn't really help my issue at all, I simply need two monitors to be as productive as I can be.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#62

I use an oculus quest 2 with the battery headstrap to play online shooters when the beamer is used by my gf. It works surprisingly well with vrdesktop. I still prefer playing on the beamer, but without the space i would consider it a quite good solution.

What is a beamer?

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#63
Don't only consider VR headsets; also check out AR glasses. The newest generation of AR glasses are surprisingly practical as portable displays e.g. Nreal Air.[1] However neither VR headsets nor AR glasses have reached the resolution sweet spot to compete with monitors in permanent workspaces

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDekX4vrSsA

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#64
post #17

> I am comfortable with at least two 27" monitors. I embraced a single-monitor workflow early in my career after experimenting and finding that having multiple monitors often makes me less productive than just switching workspaces with ⌘+tab. Now it's extended to a single-laptop workflow that's given me incredible flexibility to travel and move around the office. When do people really need multiple monitors? My only…

I recently switched from multiple displays to a single ultrawide screen (21:9). It's great for work -- wide enough to have a decent sized IDE in the center and two 120 column terminals on either side. I don't think I would go back to two monitors.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#65

I worked for about a month using the Immersed app and an Oculus 2. I judged it workable for me, but probably near the borderline. The positives were that the software generally worked (modulus some bugs), and I could code, attend Teams meetings (as an avatar with a VR camera) and have multiple monitors. Interestingly, Teams meetings with the other participants on a virtual monitor about 2 metres away were very notice…

Almost all your complaints are addressed with the quest pro. Especially the sweat and passthrough are all much better. I just used it yesterday to work w/horizons workrooms while at the office, and being able to see my surroundings was great.

I'm going to re-try using Immersed as well, I haven't figured out a great way to address the latency in the office yet.

Obviously, working at Meta means showing up as an avatar to a meeting isn't seen as a big or unique deal (usually more than one person in every meeting is an avatar). I do think video of someone's face is WAY more expressive than an avatar.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#66
post #41
post #38

With the Quest Pro I could actually see the feasibility. Just good enough to code in comfortably. The color passthrough means you can actually have coffee at your desk among a million small things it adds.

According to Linus, the Text is still not clear enough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT1sps72_sE

Could you quote where he says that? I watched this the other day and I recall him saying that text was very crisp with a hint of color on the edges. He said the previous gen was not up to snuff.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Simula looks like it’s pre-order only, do you know if they have actually shipped units? I couldn’t tel if the preorder is for their first device or an iteration, it looked like their first serious foray.

Additionally, it would be great if one could try the software with already owned VR headsets, without having to buy their hardware before.

Their software is open source : https://github.com/SimulaVR/Simula

However it looks like they are more focused on hardware than software right now

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#69
post #13

You can comfortably work in VR, but the trick is that you can't use any of the headsets as is. There are upgrades that you really need: A better head strap, ideally one with an adjustment knob at the back to easily loosen and tighten the headset. Also one with an extra battery that both gives you longer unplugged time but more importantly balances the headset front to back. And a better headset/face interface. You ca…

This is outdated since the Quest Pro came out.

Re: Ask HN: Working in a VR Headset?

#70
post #65

I worked for about a month using the Immersed app and an Oculus 2. I judged it workable for me, but probably near the borderline. The positives were that the software generally worked (modulus some bugs), and I could code, attend Teams meetings (as an avatar with a VR camera) and have multiple monitors. Interestingly, Teams meetings with the other participants on a virtual monitor about 2 metres away were very notice…

Almost all your complaints are addressed with the quest pro. Especially the sweat and passthrough are all much better. I just used it yesterday to work w/horizons workrooms while at the office, and being able to see my surroundings was great. I'm going to re-try using Immersed as well, I haven't figured out a great way to address the latency in the office yet. Obviously, working at Meta means showing up as an avatar…

The worst aspect of the Quest is the connection with Meta.

If you bought a Quest and thought you can finally watch NSFW content at work, remember that Zuckerberg is now watching over your shoulder.

And he might even be looking at the code you write.

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