REDWOOD CITY, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 6, 2016) - AltspaceVR today announced a new mobile app that makes connecting with friends and sharing experiences in virtual reality (VR) as easy as sending a text message. Users download the app from Google Play and use the VR Call feature with their favorite social network, email or sharing app to invite others and be together immediately at a public event or in a private space in AltspaceVR.

"VR Call is a quick and easy way to be together with anyone in VR," said Eric Romo, founder and CEO of AltspaceVR. "People use their phones to text, talk or video chat, and now they can meet in VR just as spontaneously."

AltspaceVR has been leading the development of VR as a communications medium, bringing users together for shared experiences like attending live music, comedy or art shows, or watching streaming video such as YouTube, Twitch or Periscope. Until now, users could try to coordinate calendars to meet at a scheduled time, but there was no single app or easy solution to directly invite a friend to an event or activity or create a private event in VR. The new AltspaceVR app allows users to enjoy all these activities with their friends and be together in a private space simply by making a VR Call.

Using the new AltspaceVR app, first-time VR Call users in San Francisco were able to easily connect with their friends and family in New York. The group of nearly 50 included participants ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s. They met in pairs and small groups, played games, shared wedding videos, talked and exchanged news as if they were in the same room rather than 3,000 miles apart. Their reactions and emotions, laughter and surprise were captured on video (excerpts shown here).

VR Call lets users connect via email, SMS, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Slack, WeChat, WhatsApp, Twitter -- any app that allows content sharing -- or their own mobile phone contact list, and then be together in VR. AltspaceVR, the only cross platform solution, lets users connect in VR with others who are using either Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. It can be also used to connect with others operating in desktop mode using PC or Mac with audio headphones and microphone.

The new AltspaceVR mobile app featuring VR Call is available now at no cost from the Google Play online store. It works in full VR mode for Samsung Gear VR with all compatible Samsung devices, which are Galaxy Note 5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge, S7, and S7 edge.  

For more information, visit AltspaceVR with VR Call.

About AltspaceVR
AltspaceVR is a virtual reality software company building a new communication platform. It is now used by people in over 50 countries to share a variety of experiences and interact in the most natural and fulfilling way possible online.

Founded in 2013, investors include Tencent, Dolby Family Ventures, Raine Ventures, Lux Capital, Western Technology Investments, Maven Ventures, Promus Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, Rothenberg Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Formation 8, Google Ventures, Foundation Capital, SV Angel, Haystack Fund, and Startcaps.