Over ten years ago, Toshiba's idea of a head-mounted display was a little different from many of the others, to the point where nobody's sure -- even now -- that it wasn't an elaborate prank. The idea was to offer up 360-degree video in a sphere that enabled you to look around without getting eyestrain. Rather than the device showing you a restricted view, you'd simply turn your head to look at the rest of the display. Weighing in at six pounds, the device was only really good as an indoor planetarium, but imagine the view. You can make your own guesses of why it never made it past the concept stage.
Sony HMZ series (2011 - 2015)
In 2011, Sony built the first of what would be three attempts to create a perfect virtual cinema. The HMZ-T1 was equipped with a pair of 0.7-inch OLED displays with a resolution of 1,280 x 720. Priced at $800 and available only at Sony stores, it offered 5.1 channel audio via its built-in headphones. There was also the promise of 3D video and the ability to take it on trips with you so you never, ever lacked a screen to watch.
The company refined the template over the next three years, releasing the T2 and T3 in quick succession. Each one lost a few grams, got better sound and improved connectivity. But no amount of refinements were enough to rouse the affections of an indifferent public. Sony pulled the headset in 2015, pushing the resources toward its VR division.
Google Glass (2013)
Engadget
Who could forget Google Glass? The experimental head-worn computer that promised to revolutionize technology. If only it a) had a purpose, b) had decent battery life c) didn't cause revulsion wherever it was worn. From privacy concerns surrounding Glass's built-in camera to the worry that the technology would erode human relations, hostility abounded.
Because Glass didn't have a single USP, Google was pretty much throwing an idea at the wall and seeing what stuck. And it turned out that very little did, so after a hardware revision, Glass made a muted exit from the public's consciousness.
At least, until earlier this year, when the company revealed it had placed Glass headsets at various business. Google Glass Enterprise Edition is designed to enable factory workers and other professionals to have a heads-up display while they work. Sure, it won't be as ubiquitous as the smartphone, but Glass can't be written off as a total failure.
Avegant Glyph (2016)
In the wake of Sony's exit from the market, other companies, like Vuzix, have tried to fill the void for personal-cinema fans. Perhaps the most eye catching is Avegant, whose Glyph headset looks like a pair of Beats headphones. But, flip the body down to eye level, and it instantly becomes a screen that claims to substitute a 55-foot movie theater. There's no indication how many headsets Avegant has sold; although the fact that its price has now fallen to $500 may be a sign of some success.
Royole Moon (2017)
Royole's Moon, the head-mounted display that inspired this jaunt through time, is the latest personal cinema to make its debut. The hardware comes with plenty of useful features, including a built-in browser, touchpad controls on the right ear cup and active noise cancellation.
Unfortunately, for all of those perks, the unit is still pretty heavy, and eyestrain remains an issue. Not to mention the whole fact that, like most of the devices on this list, it's pretty spendy. In fact, it's another $800 slab of plastic and leather that, like so many that preceded it, has to do a lot to convince users to open their wallets.
Daydream View (2016)
