Month: September 2021

Varjo Announces an Academic Program for Its Ultra-High-End VR/XR Headsets with Photorealistic Resolution

Varjo, the manufacturer of ultra-high-end virtual reality and mixed reality headsets for the corporate market, which boast photorealistic levels of resolution, has announced a new academic program offering its VR/XR hardware at significant discounts to colleges and universities. Given that the Varjo VR-3 virtual reality headset normally retails for US$$3,195.00, and the Varjo XR-3 mixed reality headset sells for an eye-watering US$5,495.00, this is very good news for many institutions of higher education!

The Varjo XR-3 mixed reality headset and the Varjo VR-3 virtual reality headset

According to the official announcement:

Users of Varjo’s virtual and mixed reality headsets for academic and research applications can:

• Visualize complex data in 3D, and work on a true one-to-one scale for maximum productivity
• Experiment with engaging, immersive learning applications with integrated eye tracking
• Collaborate remotely in true-to-life immersive environments, without the need to access physical facilities
• Create limitless research scenarios with pixel-perfect clarity

An illustration from the Varjo website, demonstrating the difference in visual resolution between most VR headsets (the so-called “screendoor effect”) and Varjo headsets

With the world’s only true-to-life VR/XR and integrated eye tracking, Varjo makes it possible to conduct academic, clinical and commercial research in a completely realistic virtual environment. You can visualize data in 3D, reduce cognitive load in education, and achieve better learning results. The photorealistic fidelity of Varjo’s Bionic Display allows even the most complex and detailed virtual models to be explored.

Get in touch with our experts to learn more about the significant discounts available in our Academic Program. Please note that the discounts and benefits cover Varjo products only – you will need to acquire your VR/XR compatible workstation separately. The program is only eligible to academic institutions and organizations. 

If you’re interested, here’s the online application form; the deadline is September 30th, 2021. Good luck!

Spurce: Varjo’s Twitter

For further information about Varjo, you can visit their website, or follow them on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Second Life Steals, Deals, and Freebies: Belleza Has a 50% Off Sale on the Jake, Freya, Venus and Isis Mesh Bodies!

This is not a freebie, but it is a bargain! Male and female mesh bodymaker Belleza has updated all of their bodies, and is having a 50% off sale! According to a message sent out to the Belleza store group:

The time has come….

The Belleza updates are here!

Jake, Venus, Isis and Freya are updated to Bakes on Mesh (BOM) and the Universal Neck. Check your package for a full list of updates and bug fixes.

If you would like to discuss the update – hop on the Belleza Discord.

The Universal Neck update is mainly in response to the new line of LeLutka heads, which left a noticeable neck seam when paired with some bodies.

If you already own a Belleza mesh body, you can hit the redelivery terminals in the Belleza store (they also have them at the MEN ONLY event, the #BIGGIRL event, and Addams).

The male Belleza Jake Bento mesh body is for sale for L$1,500, a significant savings compared to the price tags for Signature Gianni and Geralt (currently retailing for L$4,000 each) and the Meshbody Athletic and Legacy bodies (selling for L$5,000 each) . Belleza Jake mesh bodies have excellent fashion designer support, so you will have zero problems dressing this body!

And the female Belleza Freya, Venus, and Isis bodies are only L$1,250 each, or you can pick up the three-pack for L$2,250—three Bento, Bakes on Mesh-compatible mesh bodies for less than the price of one Maitreya Lara body! Please note that while the Belleza Freya mesh body still has a lot of fashion designer support, it can be harder to find clothing created to fit the much less popular Isis and Venus mesh bodies.

Even better, these updated Belleza male and female bodies are now modifiable, which has many Second Life users excited at the new creative possibilities! For example, users can now create glowing skin for these bodies, and they would make excellent starting bases for a furry avatar.

I think this sale is a bold and savvy move by Belleza, especially at a time when avatar fashion designers were dropping support for female Belleza mesh bodies in favour of newer bodies like the INTHIUM Kupra. This move could spell a revival for the especially popular Belleza Freya body, which offers a curvier, “juicier” shape that is currently the popular style in avatars.

I don’t know how long the 50% off sale will last, so hurry down and snap them up before they’re gone!