The uni-lettered V is a web-based dashboard that runs inside of the VR apps you know and love, allowing you to access web apps like Netflix, Spotify, Slack, and do pretty much anything else you can do through a web browser. A new update to the V beta brings support for the HTC Vive and other SteamVR headsets.

Launching initially back in 2016 in beta for the Oculus Rift, V gives players a web-based dashboard, making it possible to browse the web or use web apps while inside of VR. Since the beta launch the app has seen steady improvements, including support for the Touch motion controllers.

Though still in beta, today the app finally gets SteamVR support, meaning it now works with the HTC Vive as well as other SteamVR supported headsets (including the Rift, and, ostensibly, the Windows VR headsets which just got beta support for SteamVR).

V CEO Tyler Andersen notes the following common uses of the app:

  • Watch Netflix while exploring the galaxy in Elite Dangerous.
  • Find that perfect track on Spotify or SoundCloud without taking off your headset.
  • Stay connected with friends on Steam, Hangouts and Facebook.
  • Communicate with your Twitch followers directly inside VR.

In addition to support for SteamVR headsets, the latest version of V adds new features like transparency options and input blocking, and brings a handful of bug fixes. The V beta is available for free from the official website.

While SteamVR is now supported, on the Oculus side of things, V is soon to have some stiff competition; last month Oculus announced Dash, the company’s own system for using your computer from inside of any Oculus application. Dash is due out in beta next month.

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Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • NooYawker

    This is interesting but why would you need to watch netflix while playing a game? I can see getting on the web because you’re stuck and need to get a hint, but there’s no real need to do it IN the game. Just start steams dashboard and browse the web.
    Maybe when they make some more productivity VR apps.

    • Suitch

      The game shown, Elite Dangerous, is a perfect example of a game in which having Netflix running on your ship dashboard makes perfect sense.

    • benz145

      Those are just examples; in general, being able to easily access the web while in VR is a huge QoL improvement for the VR UX.

    • dk

      in vr u should be able to pull out anything u can think of at any point u want ……like imagine pulling out a small speaker playing something while gaming or a podcast with the controls right there in front of u……or u can pull out a camera and take a picture of something u r looking at in the game or having notifications ………………..and if u want to focus on a game ….sure u can do that…………..but not having the option is just annoying

      • NooYawker

        All good points made by you and the other posters.

    • Ragbone

      I’m going to use it to play music on youtube and stuff :D

  • Studley L’amore

    This looks like the same functionality for users as Hotrian’s free OpenVRDesktopDisplayPortal which has now been rightfully monetized and available on Steam as OVRdrop.

    • Matt Schoen

      The difference between V and OVRDrop is that we can draw anywhere we want in 3D, rather than being constrained to a 2D rectangle, and we do not depend on the SteamVR SDK.

      • Guygasm

        Will V be maintained for Rift long term after Dash is fully out? Is there other functionality that is not duplicated or to be released?

        • Suitch

          I think that it will be up to Oculus, Valve, and others to ensure there is no need for an interface like this in the future. This dashboard is what many users have needed for a while. I used OVRDrop until this, however OVRDrop allows full desktop usage which I don’t believe this does. (Correct me if I am wrong, but this seems to only allow web controls)

  • Project TMIN

    It is very similar that we do in project TMIN.
    Our last video from video player https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVAtXUF4FNY&feature=youtu.be

  • I tried V some months ago and reviewed it on my blog. I found it an awesome and interesting product. But when I saw Oculus announcing Dash, I understood they were going to have hard times on the Oculus market. It’s been a good move to add SteamVR compatibility, but if Dash will prove successful, Valve will make something similar and V risks to die…

  • Ragbone

    Has anyone got this working with the rift?

    • Milton

      i just heard about and implemented V dashboard this weekend with the oculus rift running oculus 2.0. importanting this is while it is in game, you have to look down

      • Ragbone

        I can’t find a way to disable it from within oculus. It was interfering with an application I was using lol. Might give it a try later and see if YouTube works with it.