When it comes to consuming virtual reality (VR) content, there are an almost bewildering number of options available, with a large range of competing platforms all vying for your attention. Companies such as Supermedium are trying to combat this fragmentation by driving towards a web-based future for VR content, a goal which might be easier to achieve thanks to a funding injection.
Supermedium was founded by some previous Mozilla employees who performed some of the groundwork that went into creating the WebVR standard. The company aims to create a more open future for VR.
The company has raised $1.1 million (USD) in seed funding, a funding round which was led by Y Combinator, along with General Catalyst, Boost VR, Anorak Ventures, Candela Partners, Social Starts, M Ventures, Seraph Group, Taimatsu, Outpost VC, Colopol Next, Shru VC, Adrew Ogawa and Cantos VC.
Supermedium has indicated that it considers the shift towards WebVR as something of an inevitability, but their challenge is to stay focussed on their goals and keep working hard to gather a userbase that can grow as new hardware develops.
The Supermedium browser is designed as a bespoke solutions for VR devices, as it has been created with things like VR motion controls and motion tracking in mind. The company is currently focussed on higher-end system such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, incorporating features such as positional tracking and hand controllers.
The team at Supermedium say that though the market for these high-end system is currently small, as standalone devices come to the market which incorporate features such as tracked controllers, the features they are now working on will come into their own.
The current area of focus at Supermedium is the creation of a hub for short ‘snackable’ VR experiences for WebVR along with an easy-to-use interface.
For future coverage of Supermedium and WebVR, keep checking back with VRFocus.
via Mint VR