They were in CES 2023 in Las Vegas, and now that VR is moving towards the mainstream, we’re seeing a plethora of accessories to help players have fun in the so-called “metaverse.” Shiftall is a manufacturer of VR accessories and devices that has solved some interesting problems for users who want to spend a lot of time in virtual reality, such as how to stay hydrated without dropping a virtual ball? Or how do you keep your VR session private if you can’t see who’s around to listen?
The FlipVR controller from Shiftall is based on the Lighthouse technology used with VR headsets such as Valve index and HTC VivePro2. Lighthouse trackers are modular systems, and Shiftall came up with a unique way of attaching the Lighthouse tracker to a handheld controller that flips over when you want to use the opposite thumb.
With a flick of the wrist, the controller tilts and you can grab a water bottle or start typing. Flip the controller over for quick access to the stick and buttons.
We had the opportunity to see one of the Shiftall experts navigate metaspace, knocking a water bottle from hand to hand. To be honest, the device felt a bit overloaded with a lot of hardware around.
But it also looks like fun – and with a little practice, the dance of activating the controls and tumbling over for a sip of coffee can add an interesting new level of interactivity if it works well. There is a clear element of nunchaku in the hardware, however, and we can worry about collateral damage.
Shiftall Mutalk will make your voice whisper
In addition to the FlipVR controller, the Shiftall has an intriguing new microphone for VR users that could provide a bit more privacy in the virtual space. The Mutalk microphone attaches to your head and looks like a mouth-to-mouth VR headset. There are no cameras inside, just a microphone that connects via Bluetooth. The goal is to trap your voice inside so no one around can hear you.
It actually works very well. Demo artist Shiftall was successfully suppressed as he strapped a Mutalk microphone to his face, roaring to the crowd. Shiftall says the Mutalk mic attenuates the sound of your voice by -30dB to outsiders; this is the difference between a whisper and a soft, conversational voice.
If you’ve used VR, you’ve probably been nervous about what’s going on in the real world outside of your virtual realm. Wondering if someone is sneaking up on you or eavesdropping on your virtual chats is a real concern for gamers.
The Mutalk device is a bit big and flashy, but it solves an interesting problem. At the moment, there are not many popular social apps in VR for meeting friends, but as they become more and more popular, the privacy microphone can help users to be more open and enjoy the virtual world more freely.
In fact, the Mutalk mic works with your phone in addition to VR headsets – so if you’re looking for a more private chatting solution and don’t mind clipping a little VR-looking mount to your face while chatting, you can opt for a Mutalk headset to use while chatting over Telephone.
These devices are still in development, so pricing and availability have yet to be announced. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the cool VR gear we’ll see at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
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