#1 – Voices of VR
Interviews with pioneering artists, storytellers and technologists driving the resurgence of virtual and augmented reality.
Host: Kent Bye
Commenced: 2014
Released: Weekly (at least)
Available On: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and their Website
Arguably THE extended reality podcast, Kent Bye runs the prolific Voices of VR podcast and tackles topics ranging anywhere from tech news to ethical implications of tracking physiological information. This podcast has run weekly since its inception in 2014 and has spanned the entirety of the modern wave of VR. Kent Bye’s observations and opinions masterfully blend the excitement of exploring this new technological frontier with a healthy sceptics towards the industry’s tendency to over-hype.
Listening back to the entire discography (though time-consuming) provides a thorough and insightful record of the trials and tribulations of immersive technologies over the past decade. Some recent highlight episodes include an interview with Bambou Kenneth (director) about her VR film Kindred (Episode #1142), a discussion with Céline Tricart (director) about her interactive narrative, Fight Back, centred around learning self-defence (Episode #1140), and a deep-dive into the 30 immersive stories that comprised the Venice Immersive 2022 Competition (Episode #1121).
Latest episode:
#2 – FReality – VR Podcast
FReality sees four equally formidable VR legends explore the latest XR news, games and technology each week.
Hosts: Currently Rowdy VR, AtomBombBody, The VR Tech, and Zimtok5
Previously joined by Nathie and Virtual Reality Oasis
Commenced: 2018 (traced back to its predecessor VR Inside from 2017)
Released: Weekly
Available On: YouTube, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and their website
For a complete change of pace, explore the latest immersive gaming news with FReality – a Vodcast hosted by four formidable XR content creators. Join Rowdy VR, AtomBombBody, The VR Tech, and Zimtok5 as they chat about new releases, advancements in technology, and what that all means for VR gamers everywhere.
Exploring their archive highlights the incredible developments of consumer level immersive technologies over the past four years; a period that has brought us the premium HTC VIVE Pro 2, revolutionary Meta Quest 2, and now Meta’s first XR headset – Meta Quest Pro! If you’re interested in exploring how these technologies can provide unique gaming experiences, then this is the podcast for you.
Latest episode:
#3 – Between Realities
A weekly virtual reality podcast discussing news from a philosophical gamers’ perspective.
Hosts: Alexander Meland (AlexVR) and Harry Skigis (Skeeva)
Commenced: 2020
Released: Weekly, during seasons
Available On: YouTube, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcast, Spotify, anchor.fm, and their website
Tune every week and let AlexVR and Skeeva007 keep you up to date with the latest XR news (they’re even official UploadVR.com correspondents!). Joined by varied guests that are making waves in the industry (including developers, publishers, and filmmakers) Between Realities is one-stop shop for staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest XR advancements.
Recent highlight episodes include a side-by-side comparison Bonelab on PC VR and Quest 2, a discussion with Ashley Coffey about Women in XR, and collaboration with the Let’s Talk Oculus podcast to chat about Among Us VR, VR skydiving, and Meta’s Quest Pro
Latest Episode:
#4 – Field of View
Guiding you through the most interesting projects within XR, the hosts share their wealth of knowledge each month, joined by special guests from around the world.
Hosts: Daniel Colaianni (Founder of aixr) and Nicola Rosa (Extended Reality Lead at Accenture)
Commenced: 2020
Released: Monthly, during seasons
Available On: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and their website
Struggling to keep up with the output of the above podcasts? Join two juggernauts of extended reality technology as they highlight the most interesting projects and chat with special guests from around the world. Daniel Colaianni (Founder of aixr) and Nicola Rosa (Extended Reality Lead at Accenture) host this podcast monthly during prescribed seasons and offer an in-depth discussion on a singular topic each episode.
They may be less prolific than the previous entries on this list, but they more than make up for it with the profound insights that they share from their vast experience in the industry. Covered topics range everywhere from industry insights, leveraging immersive technologies for social change, to content creation.
Latest episode:
#5 – Immersive Audio Podcast
Join the award winning Oliver Kadel and guest presenters in conversation with industry thought leaders, practitioners, artists, academics, and entrepreneurs to discuss the rapidly evolving industry of immersive audio.
Hosts: Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles, and Bjørn Jacobsen
Commenced: 2018
Released: Monthly
Available On: SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and their website
So far, we’ve looked at podcasts that focus on all aspects of extended reality. But if, like me, you’re an obsessed with audio, then get into the Immersive Audio Podcast. Oliver Kadel (an award-winning audio engineer) takes a deep-dive into immersive audio with special guests and interviews.
For example, you can hear about the latest developments at THX in their interview with Kasson Crooker, explore the new spatial audio tool (SPATIAL) with it’s Co-Founder and Co-Der Michael Plitkins, or go on a deep-dive into the latest tools and technologies – including the 3 part series diving into Sennheiser’s AMBEO-mobility project.
