I found things, yes. But they weren’t a fit for me.
Things I found:
### SimulaVR [1]
A linux native VR headset with an entire open ecosystem of software. On the plus side: they actually have an open source VR native window manager!!! Cons include: The hardware hasn’t shipped yet. The hardware is already multiple generations behind. (11th gen intel NUC). For productivity – I think video pass-through is essential. Which both this and the Aero lack. Tragically, the software stack for developed by Simula is not compatible with the Aero. Because the Simula Window Manager is linux native, and the Aero is Windows Native… (damn, I bought the wrong hardware.)
### Immersed [2]
This is a software solution that basically lets you remote into a desktop running an appropriate server to sling pixels at your VR headset. It’s heavily oriented towards FB headsets. The Aero isn’t supported. So I’ve never tried it. Also, it’s required that you are serving up actual screen pixels… so If you want to run headless there are wierd display port dongle hacks…
### UltraTerm / CyberGem
There is a developer that has a terminal running in the unreal game engine. In this case you can essentially design a level that is your workspace… It feels weird to even be talking about this, but if you just want linux terminals in VR… this can get you there in a very unique way. I have to say there’s a part of me that’s super into the idea of designing a virtual scene with embedded computing.
### The state of play, as I understand it
In general, you can take it for granted that you can serve up your actual desktop to whatever PC VR solution you get your hands on. Which may be enough for you. But for me, no way! To repeat myself, For VR to be compelling for productivity, I want to be able to arrange my actual application windows in 3d space.
Even the Apple Vision seems to have this “2d desktop” limitation (If you are looking very, very closely). Your desktop share from your macbook seems to be limited to just a 2d desktop. So it appears as if to use the 3d window manager you have to be running Vision native apps only.
I hope I’m wrong on this, but if Ipad is any indication, Vision will never get the heavy hitters. X Code, Visual studio…. Etc.
--
I have been so used to commodity PC hardware for so long, that when I impulse bought VR hardware during the pandemic, I assumed the software would be there to support it. But as far as I can tell, it’s largely not.
> For productivity – I think video pass-through is essential. Which both this and the Aero lack.
Video pass-through is shown in their WM demo, so IDK what you mean.
> Tragically, the software stack for developed by Simula is not compatible with the Aero. Because the Simula Window Manager is linux native, and the Aero is Windows Native… (damn, I bought the wrong hardware.)
The WM is linux-native, but any x86 OS should be installable on the onboard computer. Also, it's supposed to have the option to be used without the onboard computer, using an external computer with SteamVR or OpenXR, both of which seem to support Windows. (Alas, Windows doesn't expose any API for WM development, AFAIK).
>> Tragically, the software stack for developed by Simula is not compatible with the Aero. Because the Simula Window Manager is linux native, and the Aero is Windows Native… (damn, I bought the wrong hardware.)
> The WM is linux-native, but any x86 OS [...]
Oh. On re-reading, I see you meant you wanted to use the Simula software on the Aero HMD... I got that backwards.
Okay, You're right about video pass through. SimulaVR does have that.
but... I've found two places (both embedded within video) that still references 11th gen intel, and zero places that reference a 12th gen upgrade. If there is somewhere I can could confirm 12th gen, that's fantastic.
I found things, yes. But they weren’t a fit for me.
Things I found:
### SimulaVR [1]
A linux native VR headset with an entire open ecosystem of software. On the plus side: they actually have an open source VR native window manager!!! Cons include: The hardware hasn’t shipped yet. The hardware is already multiple generations behind. (11th gen intel NUC). For productivity – I think video pass-through is essential. Which both this and the Aero lack. Tragically, the software stack for developed by Simula is not compatible with the Aero. Because the Simula Window Manager is linux native, and the Aero is Windows Native… (damn, I bought the wrong hardware.)
### Immersed [2]
This is a software solution that basically lets you remote into a desktop running an appropriate server to sling pixels at your VR headset. It’s heavily oriented towards FB headsets. The Aero isn’t supported. So I’ve never tried it. Also, it’s required that you are serving up actual screen pixels… so If you want to run headless there are wierd display port dongle hacks…
### UltraTerm / CyberGem
There is a developer that has a terminal running in the unreal game engine. In this case you can essentially design a level that is your workspace… It feels weird to even be talking about this, but if you just want linux terminals in VR… this can get you there in a very unique way. I have to say there’s a part of me that’s super into the idea of designing a virtual scene with embedded computing.
### The state of play, as I understand it
In general, you can take it for granted that you can serve up your actual desktop to whatever PC VR solution you get your hands on. Which may be enough for you. But for me, no way! To repeat myself, For VR to be compelling for productivity, I want to be able to arrange my actual application windows in 3d space.
Even the Apple Vision seems to have this “2d desktop” limitation (If you are looking very, very closely). Your desktop share from your macbook seems to be limited to just a 2d desktop. So it appears as if to use the 3d window manager you have to be running Vision native apps only.
I hope I’m wrong on this, but if Ipad is any indication, Vision will never get the heavy hitters. X Code, Visual studio…. Etc.
--
I have been so used to commodity PC hardware for so long, that when I impulse bought VR hardware during the pandemic, I assumed the software would be there to support it. But as far as I can tell, it’s largely not.
[1]: https://simulavr.com/ [2]: https://immersed.com/ [3]: https://twitter.com/ultraterm