VR headset
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Meta Quest Pro review: A next-gen headset for the VR faithful
Meta's new Quest Pro headset represents a big jump up in hardware compared to the Quest 2, but its $1,500 price tag and limited slate of optimized apps at launch make it a tough sell for anyone who isn't a die-hard VR advocate.
Valve is reportedly working on a standalone VR headset
Brad Lynch, a YouTube host, has found evidence from patent applications and other sources that Valve is currently working on a standalone VR headset.
Google stops selling its Cardboard VR goggles after seven years
Google has stopped selling its low-cost Cardboard smartphone-based virtual reality goggles on its online store.
Facebook leaks its Oculus Quest 2 standalone VR headset
Facebook appears to have leaked its all-in-one Oculus Quest 2 headset, with the company boasting that it will be “our most advanced all-in-one VR system yet."
Is the Valve Index the best high-end VR headset?
As VR becomes more and more mainstream, a key to its success will be the choice of headsets available. On the entry-level end is the Oculus Go, at $199. On the upper end is Valve's Index, which features two RGB LCDs running at 1,440 x 1,600 pixels, capable of a 120Hz (or 144Hz) refresh rate and selling for a stunning $999. Senior editor Devindra Hardawar reviewed the Index and found that it had nearly every feature one would expect to find on a high-end VR headset, including finger-sensing controllers, excellent image quality and plush cushioning around the eye pieces and rear head strap.
Google discontinues Clips, the AI-powered camera you forgot about
While Google was busy showcasing its latest devices yesterday, it was also, more quietly, pulling the plug on a few others. Today, it confirmed that it has removed its Clips camera from the Google Store.
Hulu drops support for Google’s Daydream VR platform
If you were a fan of watching Hulu videos on Google's Daydream View VR headset, we have some bad news. Hulu has dropped support for Google Daydream. According to the company, the latest versions of its Android app (versions 3.55 or newer) no longer support the VR platform.
Valve's VR headphones started life as two speakers taped to a skate helmet
As Valve is continues its forays into VR hardware, the company has shared some insights into the development process for the headphones included in its Index VR kit.
Nintendo Labo VR review: Cute, cardboard and kinda boring
Virtual reality devotees scoffed at the introduction of Google Cardboard five years ago: Why would anyone settle for such a limited, feeble-looking piece of paper when "real" headsets were on the horizon? But Cardboard was never about competing with Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. Instead, it was a way to give non-early adopters a low-cost taste of immersive technology. Years later Cardboard has faded into the background as the VR scene has taken off, but Nintendo never forgot about the promise of low-tech VR. Labo VR builds on both the initial ideas of Cardboard and the inaugural Labo sets to create a unique, endearing and most important, playful experience.
Valve's 'Index' VR headset is coming in May
While Valve worked closely for years with HTC on Vive VR hardware, it's about to introduce a virtual reality headset of its own. A teaser page on the Steam website shows off this image of the Index, with the tagline "Upgrade your experience" and a May 2019 date. This occurs despite layoffs of some employees on its hardware team, which Valve said would not mean major changes to its plans. The development of Steam VR gives some ideas of what Valve would like to do, but there are no details or specs on the Index itself. Hints of the device have appeared with trademark filings and even a logo, but we don't even know if it will use the "Knuckles" finger tracking controllers we've seen from Valve a few times over the years. Whatever it is, we'll know more about how it competes with Oculus, HTC and the rest very soon.
The new Oculus Rift S arrives this spring for $399
Oculus announced at GDC today that an updated version of its Rift virtual reality headset is on the way this spring. Oculus Rift S will cost $399, an increase of $50 from the Rift, while it's set to offer improved resolution and the same integrated audio system as the Quest (which is also debuting in the spring) and Go headsets.
A new project promises to turn your iPhone into a VR headset
Thanks to accessories like Google Cardboard and Samsung's Gear VR, using a smartphone to enter a virtual reality world has become relatively simple. However, those options have the limitation of being available to use only with Android, leaving iOS users wondering what it would be like to access something similar on their device. Here's where a new Indiegogo campaign comes in. Pinć VR is a novel peripheral which, along with a companion application, can morph your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus into a virtual reality headset (similar to what Gear VR does with the Galaxy Note 4).
RIFT adds experimental support for the Oculus Rift
RIFT heard you liked rifts, so it's added some rift support to your RIFT. Specifically, it's added in support for the Oculus Rift development kits. Yes, that means that players who have headsets and want to really feel as if they're right there staring into the game world can play around with doing exactly that. What's not to love? The official posting notes that support at this time is highly experimental and may be discontinued at any time on the whims of the developers. UI support is also very primitive, which could lead to issues with the game experience beyond just looking at stuff. Despite that fact, the support is available for testing now on the public test server and is expected to go live this Wednesday, giving players a chance to play around with the support and see how they like it. Assuming they have Rifts, of course. [Thanks to Rick from Santa Cruz for the tip!]
TERA's Chinese publisher has a deal for VR headsets
Good news for the VR enthusiasts today, or at least the VR enthusiasts who live in China and have a deep-seated desire to hack at some monsters in TERA. The game's Chinese publisher, Kunlun, revealed an agreement being made between the company and Sony to bring the game to the latter's virtual reality headset. The idea is that the headset will allow players to step into the game with what amounts to a full IMAX experience, only with significantly more giant monsters. Nothing has been said on whether or not this option will be available for players in North America. The Chinese version of the game is planning on its first large-scale open test in August, and there will be unique content for the region, but hopefully that won't include the ability to play the game with a headset strapped over your eyes.
New images, details surface for Valve's VR headset
Valve made an appearance at last week's Boston VR Bender event, showing off an updated version of its in-development VR technology to attending developers. Captured images show a new prototype of Valve's polka-dotted VR headset, which likely features a new method of precise positional tracking, according to VR Focus. A previous prototype, showcased prior to the departure of R&D team leader Atman Binstock, reportedly required its own dedicated floorspace at Valve's HQ to function. More images of Valve's prototype VR hardware are collected in this Imgur album, and Reddit users have compiled additional shots here. Valve has not announced any plans to release a consumer version of its VR headset. [Image: dcarrigg]
Samsung is making a VR headset for its phones and tablets
Samsung is known for its ubiquitous Galaxy smartphones and tablets, popular smart televisions and, most recently, smartwatches. The Korean consumer electronics giant is about to enter another major new category: virtual reality headsets. We're told by sources close to Samsung that a virtual reality headset is not only in the works at the company's mobile division, but it's set to be announced this year. The urgency is said to be a measure of beating Facebook's Oculus Rift and Sony's Project Morpheus to market. Some developers already have early versions of the headset, which -- at least in the development stages -- is powered by flagship Galaxy devices (think: Note 3, Galaxy S5). The consumer model, however, is said to require the power of next-gen, unannounced Galaxy phones and tablets.
The Daily Grind: Would you buy a VR headset for MMOs?
Not that I have $500 or so to drop on an Oculus Rift when it comes out, but I must say that there's a part of me that would love to have one if more MMOs sign up to support it. Already we're seeing titles from Elder Scrolls Online to EVE Valkyrie lending support to this virtual reality headset, which makes me wonder whether this is just a fad or if it's the next big thing for gaming. After all, we've been down the VR headset road before, particularly in the '90s. I mean, that picture up there? That's Angela Lansbury from Murder She Wrote in 1993. I might also bring up the topic of Virtual Boy if it didn't depress me so much. Man, I really wanted VR to be real back then... but maybe its time is yet to come. Would you buy a VR headset for MMOs? If so, what would the cost need to be and what level of service would it need to supply to get you to go for it? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
GameFace headset offers wireless, Android-powered Oculus Rift alternative
GameFace Labs detailed its in-development GameFace Mark 4 VR headset at last week's CES in Las Vegas, revealing that its Oculus Rift competitor features head-tracking wireless gameplay without requiring a connected PC. Engadget reports that a 3D-printed prototype version of the GameFace connected with a DualShock 3 controller to aid player immersion, though some games were controlled via physical movement. The device offers a 5.2-inch, 1920x1080 LED panel, and a Tegra 4 processor powered demonstration games like Dead Trigger. The GameFace 4 will be supported by an Android VR-specific storefront featuring an array of compatible games. GameFace Labs is aiming for a retail release by the end of the year.
Sony opens pre-orders for wireless personal 3D viewer
Sony is preparing to launch a new personal head-mounted display, the Sony HMZ-T3W. This wireless visor is up for pre-order at Sony Stores and select nationwide retailers right now for $999. The headset, compatible with PC, consoles, tablets and smartphones through HDMI, is part of Sony's third generation of head-mounted displays and features twin OLED screens. This latest set-up has a lighter frame, flexible headbands and a built-in battery pack (good for three hours) for increased portability. It also supports up to 7.1 surround sound. Our pals at Engadget went heads-on with the device last month and enjoyed some of the improvements Sony made to this third go at fancy headgear. Sony hasn't said when it'll start shipping the HMZ-T3W, but if you want to get an idea for how you'll look in this voluptuous visor head to Sony's site.
Oculus Rift distribution pushed back, shipping begins March 2013
Oculus Rift developer kits aren't shipping until March 2013. Kickstarter backers can expect to get their hands on one by mid-April, while those with pre-orders must wait until late April. Oculus originally expected to complete backer and pre-order deliveries by January 2013, but it turns out finalizing design, testing, and mass production of a VR headset takes a lot of time. You can get an idea of just how extensive the task is on Oculus' Kickstarter page, which depicts the process in detail.As our friends at Engadget note, there are some signficant differences between the final dev kits and the prototypes first unveiled. There's now a 1280x800 7'' display as opposed to the original 5.6'' LCD, making the headset 30g heavier than it was before. Oculus says "the new display beats the old display in almost every key area including response time, switching time, contrast, and color quality," so an extra 30g is probably worth it.
