LIVERPOOL, England, August 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Starship, the UK-based innovation studio, today announces vTime; the mobile social VR network. Fusing breath-taking virtual locations with instinctive, hands-free controls, vTime offers friends and family a compelling new way to spend quality time together in virtual reality.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150826/261143LOGO )

Using only a smartphone and a VR headset, cross-platform network vTime allows users to meet and interact with people around the globe. Networking with friends or alone, users are able to enjoy music, and share images, videos, and spherical media in rich virtual environments. From the majestic beauty of nature through to futuristic urban landscapes, vTime transforms the smartphone into a passport to the metaverse.

vTimers can personalise their experience by customising their avatar's appearance, creating friends lists, and hosting virtual meet-ups. Newcomers can quickly expand their social circle and immerse themselves in engaging conversations through vTime Search, which focuses on matching users based on interests and trending topics.

Friends without a headset can still be a part of the conversation by using mono mode - a 2D window into the vTime metaverse. Using a phone or tablet, spectators are able to view live public exchanges happening within vTime, or request an invite to view private chats.

"vTime takes complex technology and makes it simple, beautiful and accessible," explains Starship CEO Martin Kenwright. "Connecting with friends, old or new, in a wealth of incredible environments couldn't be easier - simply download the vTime app, put on the headset, and you're away.

"VR will be huge, but surely biggest of all on mobile where there's a massive, pre-installed user base. Unlike console and PC headsets, the barrier to entry for mobile VR is low. People are already carrying the devices that will propel VR forward in their pockets. It's not just for the early adopters, VR is for everybody, and vTime brings social VR to virtually everyone, from virtually anywhere on virtually any device."

The free and platform agnostic network will launch its open alpha to Android users in November. Compatible with multiple mobile headsets including Gear VR and Google Cardboard, Starship has opened a mailing list for those interested in being the first to experience the network.

Starship will reveal vTime to the press during Oculus Connect in LA in September.

Visit vtime.net to sign up for news and alerts.

Follow Twitter: @vTimeNet Facebook: /vTimeNet

About Starship

Starship is a VR/AR Innovation company focused primarily on technologies, platforms and content-creation. Founded in 2013 in Liverpool, England, the studio is bolstered by a team that has collectively conceived or created more than 100 software products in the computer games/app sector.

In 2015, Starship's work was recognised at the International Develop Awards, where previous release 'Playworld' was nominated for 'Best New IP' and Starship won the Award for 'Best New Studio'. The company was also awarded a coveted 'Rising Stars' Award at the UK's prestigious Northern Tech Awards and has been named as one of the Europe's Top Tech Start-Ups in Metro alongside Raspberry Pi, Skytracker and Soundcloud.

Recognising the transformative market opportunity presented by VR/AR, Starship Group is using its platform agnostic and cutting-edge mobile technology to spearhead a move into mobile VR, producing high quality, innovative products such as CyberCook Taster for Samsung Gear VR and the forthcoming vTime for all mobile VR HMDs.

http://www.starship-group.com

For interview and meeting requests, please contact Vicky Roberts, +44(0)151-558-1360 and email press@starship-group.com.

SOURCE Starship