ThingLink XR for Pico

The ThingLink XR app for Pico makes it easy to view and distribute your ThingLink content with learners using Pico headsets. With the app, you can open individual projects or access your organization's landing page, allowing viewers to quickly browse all materials published there.

The Pico app also supports many features that are unavailable when accessing ThingLink VR mode via a browser, including support for embedded content and, in the future, support for offline viewing.

Overview

The ThingLink XR application acts as a viewer app. After installing the application, you can either view individual experiences by entering their VR shortcode or open your organization's landing page to access all of your content playlists in VR.

Installing the app

You can download the app via the Pico Store - simply open the 'Store' app, search for ThingLink XR, and select 'GET'.

The app is available on Pico Neo 3 and Pico Neo 4. 

Installing the app via mobile device management (MDM) platforms

You can also install the app via mobile device management platforms, such as ArborXR. If the platform you use requires an APK file, please submit a support request here.

App controls

Once the app is installed, you can launch it via the Library app -> Applications -> ThingLink. 

• Point the controller and use the trigger button to select content or activate interface elements.
• Look around to change your view direction, or use the thumbstick to look left or right.
• Use thumbsticks to scroll through the landing page, playlists, or long texts.
• Use the 'Home' button to exit a VR experience.

Viewing content

Once you launch the app, you will see a home screen. There are two ways to view your content via the ThingLink XR app:

• Enter a short code to view a single ThingLink media project (a 360° image, 360° video, or a tour created via the ThingLink Media editor);
• Access your organization's landing page to view all experiences published to the landing page by entering the page code ('Organization ID' button) or signing in ('Account' button).

View individual experiences by entering a shortcode

The Shortcode option allows you to access a single ThingLink media project by entering its VR shortcode. 

Get the shortcode by opening your ThingLink project on your computer or phone, selecting 'Share' -> 'View in VR' and choosing 'Get short link'. Simply enter the code inside the ThingLink XR app and select 'Start'.

We recommend using shortcodes if you need to easily distribute a single ThingLink project.

View content on your organization's landing page

Your organization's landing page acts as a content hub for the ThingLink XR app. Opening the landing page will allow your viewers to access all materials published to the landing page, including scenarios, 360°, and 2D content

You can open the landing page in two ways:

• Select the 'Organization ID' option and enter the shortcode for your organization's landing page. The shortcode is the end part of your landing page URL. For example, the shortcode for https://www.thinglink.com/o/creator is creator.
  Note: the landing page has to be public. If your landing page is private, instruct your viewers to sign in using the 'Account' option.
• Select 'Account' to sign in to your ThingLink account. This will allow you (or your learners) to view all materials assigned to them or available to all users inside your organization.

We recommend using the landing page if you wish your viewers and learners to be able to quickly access different ThingLink materials, or if your content is private. 

Please note that the app currently does not support third-party sign-in methods (such as Microsoft and Google) and single sign-on. You have to sign in to your ThingLink account using an email and password combination when using the 'Account' option.

Supported content & features

The XR app supports the following content types:

• ThingLink media projects (via the shortcode or the landing page): 360° images and tours, 360° videos, 2D images, 2D videos, and 3D models.
• Scenarios (via the landing page only): all scenarios, including version 1.0 and 2.0. 

The media projects support all tag types with minor limitations. This includes embed tags, allowing you to display third-party content such as YouTube videos and even embedded web pages.

Limitations & unsupported content

The XR app currently does not support the following features:

1. Text & media tags do not support some content types. This includes PDF files, uploaded audio files, custom layouts, and color customization. Some links added to link buttons may return an error.
2. Transit tags do not support conditional transitions. Viewers will be able to use transit tags without answering questions.
3. Some advanced settings and additional features are not supported. This includes Guided mode and Locked mode, info panel, and floor plan features.
4. Content translations are not supported. The content will always load in its original language.

In addition, please note that the app currently does not support third-party sign-in methods (such as Microsoft and Google) and single sign-on. You have to sign in to your ThingLink account using an email and password combination.

Supported features and tag types have some known limitations:

• Embed tags: embeds are not optimized for VR controls. It may be difficult to interact with certain embedded content types (e.g. embedded 3D models or interactive content that requires dragging gestures). We recommend testing your content inside the headset before sharing it with your viewers.
• Tours and transit tags: the app currently does not display the 'Back' and 'Home' buttons when navigating between different scenes.
• 360° and 2D videos: the video playback does not pause when opening a tag.