Cosma / Communication / Media / Simulation / Hardware / Extended Reality (XR) / Virtual Reality (VR)
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Introduction1
GCFLearnFree.org (YouTube Channel)
Dictionary
virtual reality : an artificial environment which is experienced through sensory stimuli (as sights and sounds) provided by a computer and in which one’s actions partially determine what happens in the environment (special hardware & software used in concert) — Merriam-Webster See also OneLook
Encyclopedia
Virtual reality (VR) is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds. Most current virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed either on a computer screen or through special stereoscopic displays, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or headphones. Some advanced, haptic systems now include tactile information, generally known as force feedback, in medical and gaming applications. Furthermore, virtual reality covers remote communication environments which provide virtual presence of users with the concepts of telepresence and telexistence or a virtual artifact (VA) either through the use of standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or through multimodal devices such as a wired glove, the Polhemus, and omnidirectional treadmills. The simulated environment can be similar to the real world in order to create a lifelike experience—for example, in simulations for pilot or combat training—or it can differ significantly from reality, such as in VR games. — Wikipedia
Virtual Reality (Encyclopædia Britannica)
Understanding virtual reality and augmented reality (GFC Global)
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Inspiration
A Virtual Reality Guide to Virtual Reality – 360 Video (The Wall Street Journal, 360° YouTube Video)
Talks about Virtual Reality (TED: Ideas Worth Spreading)
Articles about Virtual Reality (Big Think)
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Innovation
Technology
How does Virtual Reality Work? The Ultimate Guide (Rebekah Carter, XR Today)
MIT Explains: How Does Virtual Reality Work? (MITK12Videos, YouTube Video)
Google Cardboard (Wikipedia)
Commerce
VRcompare: The Internet’s Largest VR & AR Headset Database
VR Guides (Upload VR)
VR Reviews (Upload VR)
Hardware Reviews and Previews (Road to VR)
VR Games and Software Reviews and Previews (Road to VR)
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Preservation
History
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Virtual Reality (The Verge)
The Fascinating History And Evolution Of Extended Reality (XR) – Covering AR, VR And MR (Bernard Marr, Forbes)
Museum
Virtual Reality Collection (New Media Museum)
Library
DDC: 006.8 Virtual Reality (Library Thing)
Subject: Virtual Reality (Library Thing)
Subject: Virtual Reality (Open Library)
Subject: Virtual Reality (Library of Congress)
Subject: Virtual Reality (WorldCat)
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Participation
Education
MITK12Videos (YouTube Channel)
MIT+K12 Videos (Official Website)
3D Graphics (Crash Course Computer Science, YouTube Video)
MERLOT: Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching
OER Commons: Open Educational Resources
Course
Community
News
Virtual Reality Journal (Springer)
Virtual Reality (JSTOR)
Virtual Reality News (XR Today)
Upload VR
Road to VR
Virtual Reality (Science Daily)
Recent News from Science Daily …
- This new chip could slash data center energy wasteon April 10, 2026 at 12:45 pm
A new chip design from UC San Diego could make data centers far more energy-efficient by rethinking how power is converted for GPUs. By combining vibrating piezoelectric components with a clever circuit layout, the system overcomes limitations of traditional designs. The prototype achieved impressive efficiency and delivered much more power than previous attempts. Though not ready for widespread use yet, it points to a promising future for high-performance computing.
- Scientists just found a way to store massive data...on March 29, 2026 at 4:58 am
A new holographic storage technique uses light in three dimensions to dramatically increase how much data can be stored. It encodes information throughout a material using amplitude, phase, and polarization, rather than just on a surface. An AI model then reconstructs the data from light patterns, simplifying the process. This could pave the way for faster, denser, and more efficient data storage systems.
- These mesmerizing patterns are secretly solving...on January 8, 2026 at 12:01 am
Tessellations aren’t just eye-catching patterns—they can be used to crack complex mathematical problems. By repeatedly reflecting shapes to tile a surface, researchers uncovered a method that links geometry, symmetry, and problem-solving. The technique works in both ordinary flat space and curved hyperbolic worlds used in theoretical physics. Its blend of beauty and precision could influence everything from engineering to digital design.
- New prediction breakthrough delivers results...on November 14, 2025 at 7:09 am
Researchers have created a prediction method that comes startlingly close to real-world results. It works by aiming for strong alignment with actual values rather than simply reducing mistakes. Tests on medical and health data showed it often outperforms classic approaches. The discovery could reshape how scientists make reliable forecasts.
- Scientists unveil breakthrough pixel that could...on September 26, 2025 at 4:59 am
A team at the University of St Andrews has unlocked a major step toward true holographic displays by combining OLEDs with holographic metasurfaces. Unlike traditional laser-based holograms, this compact and affordable method could transform smart devices, entertainment, and even virtual reality. The breakthrough allows entire images to be generated from a single OLED pixel, removing long-standing barriers and pointing to a future of lightweight, miniaturized holographic technology.
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Here are links to pages about closely related subjects.
These are types of media formats.
Format Multimedia (Video, Animation) Image (Object) Scent, Flavor, Audio (Text) Haptic, “Other“
See also Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR)
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1. The resources on this page are are organized by a classification scheme developed exclusively for Cosma.
