Luckily, the VR industry is evolving in more ways than just gaming. If you own a VR Headset, you have access to a growing library of productivity apps. These programs are designed to improve your workflow or assist with tasks in innovative ways.
Here is just a brief list of virtual reality apps that can help improve your productivity.
Different Headsets, Different Software
The following apps are all native to the Windows platform, meaning that if you’re an Oculus Quest 1 or 2 user, these programs will largely be unavailable to you. This is with the exception of Quest users that have access to Air Link. There also may be Oculus Quest-exclusive versions of the applications, so it’s always worth a look. Additionally, all listed programs are available for SteamVR.
1. Virtual Desktop
Virtual Desktop is a solution to the generally clunky default desktop viewers available for SteamVR and Oculus.
If you’ve tried to navigate your desktop with your default VR software, you’ve probably noticed difficulty in text scaling, typing at a decent pace, or even managing to left-click.
Virtual Desktop fixes all of that. It totally overhauls the experience of interacting with your desktop. It introduces intuitive and customizable controls for interacting with windows, scrolling, typing, and even managing files.
Set against a backdrop of your choosing, Virtual Desktop will have you performing all your usual activities without having to reach for the mouse and keyboard. It’s ideal as a program that runs passively to other work-related activities, or even as a way to just chill and appreciate the power of your system.
Highly customizable and with a low impact on performance, Virtual Desktop is worth the asking price. Unfortunately, there’s no free version of this program available.
Download: Virtual Desktop ($14.99)
2. XSOverlay
Combined with the above, this application serves as a bread-and-butter foundation to any productive virtual space.
XSOverlay is the opposite of Virtual Desktop. Rather than bringing VR to your desktop, this program brings your desktop into VR.
To clarify what that means, XSOverlay allows you to create independent overlays of a monitor, window, or separate application, in any virtual space. A quick example of this would be writing up a to-do list and strapping it to the back of your virtual hand.
With a light performance overhead and a wide variety of options, XSOverlay could fit into any virtual workflow you can imagine. It comes in at a low price point, as well.
Download: XSOverlay ($9.99)
3. NODA
NODA offers mind mapping functionality in a completely 3D space. Plot out ideas, link them together, and watch your web get more and more complex.
Mind mapping is a tried-and-true method of visually orientating your ideas. If it works for you, NODA will take your brainstorming into a virtual space. It has all the basic mind mapper functionality you would expect, such as customizing your idea nodes, text inputs, images, and more.
Brought into the 3D space, these mind mapping concepts can be realized in entirely new ways.
With something like XSOverlay, you’ll be able to easily bring in and pin up reference sheets, documents, or other items important to your workflow.
NODA is available for free, with an optional upgrade package for more features.
Download: NODA (Free, premium version available)
4. ENGAGE
If you’ve ever had to use Microsoft Teams to conduct any sort of business, you already know the shortcomings of modern video chatting. No matter the connection quality, working with your team through a series of video chats will always be less than ideal.
ENGAGE rectifies at least some of those shortcomings. Self-described as an advanced communications platform, ENGAGE brings almost all of the functionality of Teams into a fully 3D virtual space.
This means that you and your team can host meetings, share media, make notes, and take minutes, all in your VR headset.
Being in VR, of course, brings some additional benefits. You can host your meetings in a virtual conference room, and blow up your media using the projector. How about scribbling those notes down on an actual notepad and passing it around? You can even clap for a great idea.
ENGAGE may be somewhat limited in scope at the moment, seeing as it’s unlikely your entire team will have access to the hardware required. However, it is available for free at a basic level, meaning that if you have a headset already, it can’t hurt to give it a go.
Download: ENGAGE (Free, subscription available)
5. CalcFlow
A more specialized tool, CalcFlow is geared towards those trying to wrap their heads around, or utilize, advanced mathematical concepts.
You’ll find much more than a VR calculator in CalcFlow. Featuring sample problems that relate to vector calculus, parametrized functions, and linear algebra, CalcFlow aims to bring the process of learning or understanding advanced mathematical concepts into VR.
CalcFlow allows direct manipulation of mathematical properties with your hands. You can also take notes and input your own variables to manipulate any of the presets.
Students, and those who work with these concepts, are going to benefit greatly by being able to apply these models in an entirely virtual space.
CalcFlow is free, and with a low performance overhead, runs great alongside applications like Virtual Desktop or XSOverlay. It also means that, with a few YouTube video overlays, you could easily use this program to learn these principles yourself.
Download: CalcFlow (Free)
How to Work in Virtual Reality
The concept of strapping on a headset and trying to get actual work done can seem a little strange to some. It’s important to understand the benefits, as well as the limits, of introducing a virtual space into your workflow.
Firstly, you’ll need to keep in mind that a VR headset generates heat as it works, so working in a cool environment is highly recommended. Having your seat adjusted for usual ergonomic considerations is also a must.
Working with a VR headset involves accounting for most of the things you would account for when setting up your own home office, including good posture. We have covered ways to keep a healthy posture while working from home, so be sure to check it out and save your back some future trouble.
Additionally, make sure you keep your desk as clear as possible. You’ll most likely still be using your keyboard or mouse in some steps of your workflow. It’s important to have quick access to them without the risk of bumping anything over.
Finally, make sure your headset is adjusted properly, and take breaks if needed. Motion sickness generally isn’t an issue if you’re seated, but this varies from person to person. Track how you’re feeling, and don’t push yourself too far.
A Virtual Reality Workflow
VR can assist in many different workflows, from writing to painting. With just the first two applications listed, you could produce a virtual workspace far larger and more intuitive than your real-life work desk.
Should you find your niche, you’ll come to appreciate the virtual space for what it can allow you to do. It can turn even the smallest office into a truly infinite canvas to work off.
From gaming to media and now productivity, VR is slowly working its way into every industry it can. It brings creative new methods of design and application, but also comes with some relatively heavy hardware requirements. Despite the drawbacks, there is a very real potential that VR could be everywhere in the future.
