Samsung is known in the world of mobile virtual reality (VR) headsets for its Gear VR glasses. Created in collaboration with Oculus, the new Samsung Gear VR 2017 headset has the largest library of VR apps.
The latest version of Samsung's virtual reality glasses has added a modern USB Type-C connector and a separate controller, like the Google Daydream View.
Let's find out what else has changed in the new headset and has Samsung managed to surpass Google?
The updated Gear VR with controller will cost about $ 130 (7,500 rubles), which is almost 2 times more expensive than Google Daydream View.
The kit contains everything you need except a smartphone: a headset, head straps, a controller, a pair of AAA batteries and a MicroUSB adapter for a smartphone (Galaxy S7 or newer). There is also a standard set of instructions and a warranty card.
Design and comfort
Foam padding on the face, fabric Velcro straps around the back of the neck and the top of the head - these and other structural elements borrowed from previous models.
Unlike Google Daydream View, the Samsung Gear VR 2017 is made entirely of hard plastic. Thanks to the top strap, the weight is better distributed, so the new headset from Samsung remains light enough even with the smartphone inserted.
Dimensions: width - 207.8 mm, thickness - 122.5 mm, depth - 98.6 mm, weight (with smartphone) - 435 g. Daydream View and Oculus Rift CV1 weigh - 470 g, and the HTC Vive glasses are slightly heavier - 550 BC
The wheel at the top allows you to change the focal length, however, the pupil distance (IPD) is not adjustable here.
On the left side of the Gear VR 2017 there is a USB Type-C connector for connections, on the right there is a mount that reliably holds the smartphone. On the front side of the headset there is a translucent coating that protects the lenses; there is no case for the motion controller.
Management and interaction
Samsung Gear VR 2017 has unusual controls. The circular touchpad is used to interact with VR games and applications, similar to the display of a smartphone, and above it there are physical buttons.
Only the headphones are missing, but this is a common drawback for VR headsets in the mid-range price range. You can use your smartphone speaker here or plug in your own headphones, but the volume buttons on the front of the Gear VR 2017 are awkwardly located.
The viewing angle in the new Samsung virtual reality glasses is good, diagonally it is 90-95 degrees - this is enough not to suffer from claustrophobia, however, on full-fledged VR headsets for PC the angles reach 120-140 degrees.
A sensor inside the device automatically turns on the display when the headset is put on the head, and turns off when it is removed. This is a useful feature and saves battery life significantly.
Gear VR controller for control
Samsung Gear VR's 9-axis gyroscope opens up a wide range of interactions with VR content. The controller acts as a sword, pistol, screwdriver or any other tool, it also helps in the selection of interface elements. The Gear VR 2017 controller resembles a Nintendo Wii accessory with precise rotational movement.
In some applications and games, movement in space is supported, but not with the repetition of all the movements of the user, for example, stretching an arm is rarely taken into account here. Every 5-10 minutes in outdoor games and less often in less active ones, it is necessary to reset the settings, fixing the current position in space, holding the Home button.
The Samsung Gear VR is powered by two AAA batteries, so it's heavier than Google Daydream View with a built-in lithium-ion battery. However, AAA batteries are more common and it is faster to change them while playing than charging the battery. The batteries last for about 80 hours in the virtual world.
The controller itself is similar to a standard remote control, but the front corners are tilted downward by about 35 degrees for better ergonomics. The curved section houses a touchpad with enter buttons, and at the very top end, a trigger button. The trigger is convenient for navigation and in games where you need to switch between weapons. Below the touch panel is the Home and Back buttons, below them is the volume rocker.
The circular trackpad replaces the joystick here, offering more interaction options: touch, scroll, tilt to the sides and press. A short strap at the bottom of the controller serves as a wrist strap.
Dimensions of the Samsung Gear VR 2017 controller: length - 108.1 mm, width - 48.1 mm, thickness - 38.2 mm, weight - 64.3 g. Batteries and strap are included.
Interface and customization
Working with Oculus has helped Samsung create some of the best VR headsets on the market. No other VR store has as much exclusive content as the Oculus Store.
The initial setup of the Samsung Gear VR 2017 is very simple - the smartphone automatically launches the Oculus Home app when connected to the Gear VR. Before using the headset, you need to install several programs and sign in to access the library and make purchases. You don't have to register here, you can use a Facebook or Oculus account.
After completing the software setup, the smartphone must be unlocked, placed in the Gear VR, and the headset must be attached to the head. Placing the fingerprint scanner on the back of the Galaxy S8, S8 + and Note 8 allows you to do everything without even taking out your smartphone.
The interface in Gear VR 2017 is very beautiful, because the famous John Carmack took part in its development. The categories available are Home, Library, Internet, Store, Events, Search, Voice and Samsung Picks. For navigation, Oculus Home has touchpads - one each on the headset itself and one on the controller. Some games only require a controller to function properly.
Pressing and holding the Home button on the headset will open the Gear VR's system options, which you can adjust, including brightness and volume. The pop-up notifications in the center of the screen do not open, but they are hidden by enabling the Do Not Disturb option.
You cannot use a connected smartphone in normal mode, only its camera, which helps to look at the real world without removing the headset. It also supports capturing images and video from the screen. Live streaming is useful not only when chatting with friends on Facebook, but also in multiplayer games.
games and applications
The Oculus Store has tons of exclusive VR games, movies, videos, stories, apps, and more. Everything is sorted by categories: What’s Hot, Best Sellers, Best Free Titles, What’s New, Personal Recommendations, Horror, Games, Educational, Entertainment, Apps, Movies, Samsung Picks and Gallery.
The Gallery is filled with works by independent authors, Games has a section with indie games. Filtering will allow you to choose from two dozen genres and different price categories, as well as sort by support for touchpad, gamepad or Gear VR controller. The only thing missing here is free demos of paid editions.
There are thousands of popular apps available, including Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. They are suitable for viewing both 2D content and VR video. The quality depends on the screen resolution of the connected smartphone.
Oculus has its own web browser with the ability to watch VR videos without downloading separate apps. The middle is occupied by a vertical web browser, while the left and right are bookmarks, navigation buttons, and tabs. The virtual keyboard allows you to type text.
Here you can not only receive reminders of upcoming events, but also watch them for free in VR - even if these are sports broadcasts paid for by other users.
Samsung Gear VR 2017 comfort and performance
Keeping the Gear VR 2017 on your face for extended periods of time won't irritate you thanks to the soft, breathable fabric cover. A third strap that runs over the top of your head keeps your headset securely in place and distributes weight.
All belts and upholstery are equally comfortable, however, the inability to adjust the interpupillary distance here strains the eyes.
Those who feel motion sickness from a regular VR headset will experience the same problems with the Samsung Gear VR 2017, due to the 60Hz refresh rate. Head movement is always displayed equally smoothly, but sometimes the frame rate of content gets lower and this is very disorienting. But, every app or game has a comfort rating, so Oculus takes care of the users.
The Galaxy S8 + stays cool with the refreshed Gear VR, even after an hour of gaming - unlike the Pixel XL that came with Google Daydream. Although previous generations of Samsung smartphones also got hot, performance dropped and had to be rebooted.
One hour of hard work consumes about 30% of the Galaxy S8 + battery and 35-40% of the more compact Galaxy S8.
Outcome
The updated Samsung Gear VR 2017 headset is ideal for Galaxy S8 or S8 + phone owners who are interested in virtual reality. The new controller provides a wide range of interactions and new capabilities not seen in previous Gear VR.
Exclusive content, calendar of events, friends list, virtual parties, and the rest of the Oculus software, coupled with high performance without overheating, make Gear VR 2017 the best mobile VR headset on the market.
- Nice interior padding
- Three adjustable fabric straps
- Light weight
- Convenient controller
- Great interface
- Economical consumption of charge
- High performance
Disadvantages of Gear VR 2017
- IPD is not regulated
- Controller case missing
- Looks cheaper than Daydream View
- High price
New virtual reality glasses Samsung Gear VR 2017 - video review
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Virtual reality headsets deliver immersive entertainment content. Whether you prefer virtual panoramas, 360-degree videos or VR games, VR headsets allow you to fully enjoy the content you want.
The industry continues to gain strength every year, and now is the best time to get your own VR headset. There is a model for every taste, wallet and usage model - some headsets can even be used with smartphones instead of computers. Here's a quick roundup of the best VR headsets this year.
The bestVR headset on the market:HtcVive
Price:$800
HTC Vive is the best VR headset available in the consumer market. You can't call it cheap, but for the $ 800 that is asked for it, you get the most complete set of technologies that will help you get an unforgettable experience in virtual reality. One of them, Lighthouse, oversees the room, allowing you to freely navigate virtual worlds.
Chaperone technology creates a visual mesh in front of your eyes so you don't bump into a wall or a pet while traveling in VR. This is revolutionary in itself, but HTC decided to go even further. The helmet is equipped with controllers that work like your hands - that is, with their help you can shoot, drive vehicles and press buttons in VR games.
To fully enjoy the HTC Vive, you need a lot of space. It is best to have a separate room dedicated exclusively to games. Plus, you need a powerful enough PC. But if you can afford it, then the HTC Vive will open up a whole new world of virtual reality for you.
Best choice for desktop PCs:OculusRift
Price:$600
The Oculus Rift is the first VR headset to use the power of a connected computer. It has been on the market for a long time and offers users a rapidly growing library of games and applications. The Oculus Rift is very easy to set up and set up, and its design will leave few people indifferent.
A rich library of games and applications is guaranteed to make you open your mouth in surprise. Explore the human circulatory system, play the role of a virus that infects computer systems, soar through the air with a hook - you can choose any entertainment for yourself. Best of all, you don't need to allocate a separate room for your Oculus Rift, although you still need a powerful enough PC to run the headset. Oculus Rift is owned by Facebook, so you can count on the fact that a variety of VR projects will soon appear on the social network.
The Oculus Rift recently launched Touch controllers, expanding the headset's capabilities and bringing it closer to the HTC Vive.
Best headset for consolesPlaystationVR
Price:$400
Virtual reality has finally arrived on consoles. Thanks to direct support from Sony, PlayStation VR has already acquired an impressive library. The stylish and comfortable helmet lets you play titles like Batman: Arkham VR, Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing Mission, EVE: Valkyrie and Job Simulator.
PSVR is very easy to use, thanks in no small part to the intuitive Move controls and incredible support from Sony. If you already own a PlayStation 4, PSVR is your gateway to virtual reality. This is the most affordable high-end headset. Even if you don't have a console, you can buy a PS4 and PSVR for even less than buying an HTC Vive.
Best Mobile HeadsetSamsungGearVR
Price: $130
To celebrate the launch of the new Galaxy S8 and S8 + smartphones, Samsung has released a redesigned Gear VR. The headset is now available in a new color and new accessories are available. The controller will improve the tactile response and expand the gaming capabilities of the headset. Gear VR supports voice control, and the ever-growing library of games and apps will keep you entertained.
Best Supporting HeadsetGoogleVR:GoogleDaydream
Price: $80
We must admit that we have not seen anything like this before. Google Daydream View is made from comfortable microfiber and is available in several color options. The headset is only compatible with Google Pixel / Pixel XL - flagship smartphones from Google. Available content includes a gallery on J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts. Google is promoting its headset with unrealistically low prices, and if you have a Google Pixel, grab Daydream View without a second thought. It's worth it.
Best Budget HeadsetMagiove 3DVR
Price: $25
Magiove's headset is one of the best budget deals on the market. The helmet displays a fairly clear and bright picture, and the reflective coating helps to see more details. Plus, the helmet is very lightweight and uses fasteners instead of Velcro. It is quite convenient to use it even during hours of VR sessions.
Promisingnew items
Intel Project Alloy
Intel's VR headset will blur the line between the real and the virtual world. The fully wireless headset uses four external RealSense cameras to map out the playing area and estimate the depth of the room. As a result, the headset will be able to embed your environment into any game or application.
VR helmetsfromMicrosoft
Microsoft will release not one, but five helmets at once in partnership with Lenovo, Asus, Dell, HP and Acer. They should go on sale by the end of this year. The helmets will be able to work with Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One / Xbox One S consoles.
Choice
- For mobile devices: The best choice here would be Samsung Gear VR. The helmet uses Oculus technologies, and new content appears for it every week. In addition, the headset is now equipped with a Bluetooth controller and supports voice commands. If you don't have a Samsung smartphone and are looking for something inexpensive, we recommend buying Magiove 3D VR.
- For PC: If you're looking for a VR headset for your computer, the Oculus Rift is a good choice. It fully meets all expectations, especially after the release of the Touch controllers. If you want something more, your choice will fall on the HTC Vive. You will be able to safely walk through virtual worlds and use touch controllers as your second pair of hands.
- For consoles: Console players have no choice but to buy PlayStation VR. Fortunately, the system is very easy to use, it belongs to the upper class and a huge number of VR games have already been released for it.
Even to experience virtual reality using your smartphone, you need a VR headset. If you want to see a realistic picture, then you need a powerful gaming computer and an advanced VR headset. Today there are two such helmets: Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. But which one should you choose?
At first glance, the difference between the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive is obvious: the first VR headset costs $ 600, the second - $ 800. But you are very mistaken if you think that the more expensive headset is better on all counts. Let's compare in several ways and decide which one is worth purchasing.
VR helmets comparison: immersion
Put on a VR headset and you are instantly transported to another world. Wherever you turn your head, you will see and hear something that does not really exist. The main purpose of a VR headset is to make you believe that everything you see is real. So how much can the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive immerse the player in a virtual atmosphere?
In terms of visual and audio fidelity, both helmets are similar. They have the same matrix size (2160 x 1200) and the same resolution of the output image (1080 x 1200). The only difference is that you connect your headphones to the Vive, and they are already built into the Oculus Rift. Therefore, in general, virtual worlds look and sound about the same in both VR headsets.
Yes, modern technology was able to deceive the eyes and ears of a person, you feel your presence in the game. But the game is not a film, it assumes that the player will move and perform some actions. And in this, the Oculus Rift loses. Vive, on the other hand, has sensors that allow you to physically move around in virtual worlds and interact with phantom objects.
Therefore, in terms of immersion in virtual reality, the victory is won by HTC Vive.
Virtual Reality Headset Review: Interaction
So what can you do in games with a VR headset? Both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive allow you to tilt your head to take a closer look at the subject under your feet. If a virtual cake flies in your face in the game, you can tilt your head and dodge. But for some more essential actions, you need a joystick.
In HTC Vive, the joystick function is performed by two controllers that must be held in hand. When you pick up something in the game, the controller vibrates. Controllers in the virtual world can turn into anything: into your disembodied hands, into a weapon, into a paintbrush.
HTC Vive also has sensors that detect your movements, so you can move around in virtual worlds, taking steps around the room in the real world! And in order not to hit anything, the headset measures the distance from the player to the nearest objects, and draws the outlines of the real world in the game when approaching dangerously.
Unfortunately, the Oculus Rift has nothing to offer yet. The developers promise to release similar controllers called Oculus Touch in early 2018. Well, then our opinion may change, but at the moment HTC Vive provides the best player interaction with the virtual world.
Choosing a VR helmet: ergonomics
Unexpected news: VR headsets are generally uncomfortable! They press on the face, their lenses fog up. In general, a player wearing a VR helmet feels like wearing a diving mask. But choosing between two evils, we will prefer the more comfortable and ergonomic evil.
In our case, this will be the Oculus Rift. The design of this virtual reality headset is more compact and simplistic compared to the Vive, and the computer cable is relatively thin. The built-in headphones have flaps, there is internal ventilation to keep the lenses from sweating, and the headset fits perfectly to the player's head. And best of all, there is enough room inside the headset for the visually impaired player to keep their glasses on.
But the Vive headset is more massive and heavy, and a thick cable for connecting to the computer runs down the back of the player. The cable is very long, and getting tangled in it is a piece of cake. Typically, this cord gets tangled underfoot when the player walks in virtual space.
So the Oculus Rift wins in ergonomics.
Buying a VR headset: connection and configuration
Of course, first of all, to immerse yourself in virtual reality, you need a powerful gaming computer. Then you buy and download gigabytes of games. But before you can start playing, the VR headset must be connected and configured.
With the HTC Vive, you have to tinker: besides a fair amount of cables (three power adapters, two USB chargers, as well as video, USB and sync cables), you need to install motion-tracking sensor bases in the corners of the room and then calibrate them. Every time before playing, you need to launch Steam, switch it to VR mode, turn on the controllers and bases, and make sure that the headset is working as expected.
In this regard, the Oculus Rift is easier to handle: this headset has only two cables and you do not need to run additional software before starting the game, as well as re-calibrate the headset. And you don't need to turn on anything: Oculus turns on automatically when you put it on.
In this round, the victory goes to the Oculus Rift headset.
Comparing virtual reality helmets: content
Oculus wants to build its own gaming platform and form its own gaming community. You won't find Oculus exclusives on the Vive as the Oculus (and the developers) invest millions to build their gaming ecosystem.
And therefore, one cannot argue with the fact that real hours of games are coming out on the Oculus Rift, while the Vive content is more like a set of short demos for games. Nevertheless, we will take the risk and, in terms of the quantity and quality of content, we will rely on the HTC Vive.
Why? It's simple: the Vive headset is powered by the Steam platform, which already dominates the online PC gaming market. Steam has built-in instant messaging, voice chat, the ability to join friends in the game - in a word, all those little things that are familiar to the modern player that the Oculus Rift does not have. This is not to mention the fact that games are bought and installed through Steam in a couple of clicks, and the progress in them is saved and automatically updated on different devices.
In addition, HTC Vive offers to play with motion controllers, and the developers are happy to pick up the idea. They are making games for this system already now, and Oculus has not even acquired prototypes of such controllers yet.
Therefore, HTC Vive wins in terms of content.
What kind of virtual reality headset should you buy?
The best VR headset right now is the HTC Vive. Yes, it costs $ 200 more, less ergonomic, takes a lot of tinkering with it to install and configure, but in return you get the experience of immersing yourself in full virtual reality, in which you can walk with your feet and do something with your hands. Buy HTC Vive if you need to keep up with cutting edge technology.
However, so far there are no guarantees that HTC Vive will keep the lead after the release of Oculus Touch controllers. Perhaps the new controllers will be much better than what the Vive offers (for example, they will be able to recognize gestures).
But, to be completely honest, we would not recommend buying either the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive yet, at least for the next year. The fact is that now there is not a lot of content for both VR headsets, and virtual reality technology is only at an early stage of development. Wait a year - more games will be released in that time, there will be controllers for the Oculus Rift and it will be clear where the VR gaming industry is heading. And at the same time, a clear leader among VR headsets will be determined.
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We've seen an explosion of virtual reality over the past few months and now has an amazing variety of VR headsets to choose from, ranging from PC all the way to mobile VR.
But which of all these models is the best VR headset? Well, for our money, this is the Oculus Rift right now, as the best games, touch controllers, and room-scale tracking come together to make this most polished high-performance VR.
But the competition is getting closer and closer. The Vive is also excellent (and still offers an alternative), while Sony's PlayStation VR sold over a million headsets by Summer 2017 thanks to the significantly lower price and ubiquity of PlayStations ready to launch. So what are the best VR headsets - and which should you go out and buy with? We've put together a definitive selection of the most stunning devices waiting for you.
The best VR virtual reality headphones for consoles and PCs
This group is what most of the fuss is about. Oculus and HTC work with PCs, while PlayStation VR works with PlayStation 4, so your headset choices might come down to the machines you already own. If you are going to use a PC headset, make sure you have a good enough computer and support the VR headset specifications to run.
The Oculus Rift is the headset that kicked off the current review. Developed by Palmer Luckey, funded through Kickstarter and taken up by Facebook for a cool $ 2 billion, the Rift connects to your computer's DVI and USB ports and tracks your head movements, delivering 3D images to its stereo screens.
The consumer edition of the Rift uses a 2160 x 1200 resolution, running at 233 million pixels per second with a 90Hz refresh rate. It is hi-tech material and it matches the HTC Vive for an upgrade. However, given its access to the power of the latest PCs, it hits a lot more pixels than Sony's PS VR headset.
Oculus Touch controllers appeared in late 2016 and brought the world of virtual reality brighter and closer. Not only that, but when it comes to gaming, Oculus has come to the races. This has been helped in large part by some cash injections from the developers at Facebook, giving us quality, polished titles like Lone Echo and Robo Recall.
Room-scale support has also been added, although you need to purchase at least one additional sensor to get it at the Vive level, and even then the Vive tracking experience is slightly better. Simply put, the Oculus Rift platform is finally a turnkey product that gives you the VR experience the company originally promised. The price is much lower now, especially now that Oculus includes touch controllers with every headset from here. Oculus VR has permanently lowered the price to £ 399 after the successful Summer of Rift event. Considering games, experience, VR quality and prices, Rift climbed to the top spot on our list, knocking the Vive off the top and becoming our new VR champion. But guess who is around the corner ...
HTC Vive was created in partnership with the giant PC gaming giant and works with Valve's giant gaming ecosystem, Steam. HTC packs in 70 sensors to provide 360-degree head tracking as well as a 90Hz refresh rate - a stat that's key to lowering latency, which is the technical term for the effect that motion sickness causes when it's too high. Fortunately, this was not an issue in our review, which cannot be said for every device.
While its library has become more impressive, it lacks some of the exclusives you'll find on the Rift. However, there are many opportunities to explore, and many titles that we think are worth your money. The key to HTC Vive's success is Lighthouse Room Tracking, which allows you to navigate with your headset and still offers the best headset tracking on this list. This means that you are installing some sensors in your home, but the effect is the next level and it all comes in a box.
Later this year, these sensors receive an upgrade with a new curved design and support to add up to four at a time (there are now only two).
In the meantime, Vive's new Tracker technology is capable of bringing any object into VR, and some developers have already found some creative uses for this. The Vive can also now go wireless thanks to the Vive's own wireless module as well as the TPCast module, and eye tracking is on its way.
There is also a Viveport subscription service that gives you a whole bunch of VR content for a $ 6.99 monthly fee. Sony
PlayStation VR will be familiar to most people with "good" VR. It's not perfect, but it comes after console gamers, and ultimately it's still an amazing VR experience. There is nothing else in this quality category but available VR, meaning PS VR is the benchmark for the mainstream VR console.
Plus, there has been a steady stream of new titles since launch, some of which consist of major franchises, with Resident Evil 7 being one of the most notable big entries at the end (and a WoWEW winner) as well as Doom VFR and Skyrim. with a lot.
With over 2 million headsets sold, Sony has at least won the VR sales war, and we expect it to keep that momentum going through 2018 with both familiar franchises and new PS VR IP channels.
With its low price point and PS4 compatibility, it's no surprise that the PlayStation VR outperforms both the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift, even if, by its own admission, the technology doesn't quite live up to the standards of its competitors.
Microsoft's plans for virtual reality are not what you're used to. Rather than going straight to the VR platform, Microsoft is investing heavily in what it calls mixed reality. And since this is Microsoft, it is partnerships with a bunch of third parties to make this happen, like Acer, Lenovo and HP.
Microsoft is still trying to create a more affordable version of high-performance VR, and many of the headsets are built to operate in two modes: one for PCs with dedicated graphics cards and one for PCs with integrated graphics. Many of these headsets start at $ 300, but at the top of the heap is the Samsung Odyssey. It has built-in spatial headphones from AKG, dual 1400 X 1600 AMOLED displays and a 110-degree field of view.
In our hands-on time with Odyssey, we felt like this is one Mixed Reality headset that's on par with the Oculus Rift. It has a superb, comfortable feel that other headsets from the likes of Lenovo, Acer and HP don't have.
Best Mobile VR Headsets
Because of how expensive it is to invest in high-end VR, companies have worked hard to bring us affordable VR that can run on those handy supercomputers we all carry around in our pockets. Thus, here are the best headsets that you can insert your phone into. They are generally wireless and many are under £ 100, so this is a completely different ball game for the beast above. Be careful though some devices only work with certain phones, so check before submitting cash.
Samsung Gear VR isn't much different from last year, but the Korean company is giving it enough boost every 12 months to keep it on top of the mobile VR heap. The biggest addition this year is a new controller that will help you get a little more immersion into your VR content.
Of course, the visual experience of using the Gear VR will depend on which Samsung smartphone you're using. But there are some features that will give you a good experience no matter what Samsung phone you have, such as a 101-degree wide viewing angle and dark tint to reduce glare and reflections.
However, the price of the Gear VR has gone up a bit higher this year because of this new controller. You will also need one of the compatible Samsung phones, which includes the Galaxy S8 and S8 + and S7 and S7 Edge. If you own a Samsung phone, this is still the best mobile VR experience you can get.
Google Daydream View (2017)
After debuting last year, LG's VR mobile headset is back, not bangingly, but with a host of small tweaks that make Daydream View an even better portal to VR.
First, it raised the field of view from 90 degrees to 100, with new custom Fresnel lenses and a new texture, more textured, less Sunday sweatpants. The new belt distributes the weight more evenly; these tiny modifications all add up for a more comfortable experience.
Daydream comes with a 3DoF (degrees of freedom) controller and supports most smartphones, but VR quality will vary depending on where you are. While the quality of games can't compete with the big names, the Daydream platform has consolidated over the past year with a solid roster - including Wareable Favorite Talking & Nobody Explodes.
A hidden underdog VR headset mobile phone, Merge delivers everything you want from a mobile headset. It works with a wide variety of smartphones including iPhones. It is made of soft foam so it is comfortable and lightweight. It also got a bunch of doodads to help you customize your mobile experience.
Adjust all the lenses you want, press two buttons to interact with your content; Pull out the front window if you ever need to use it for mixed / augmented reality purposes. Speaking of which, Merge now also sells the AR Merge cube, which lets you put mixed realities in the palm of your hand.
Soon everyone is expecting ...
VR, which means it's natural that more headsets are always coming. In fact, we are really just getting started. Below we have selected a few headsets that are heading for the future. As you noticed, some of them are starting to play with the idea of what a VR headset is.
Oculus' high-quality standalone headset, Santa Cruz, is getting closer and closer to reality. This year, Connect showed off a new prototype of the device we were trying out. It also has new position-tracked controllers with infrared LEDs on them that can be read by the four wide-camera sensors on the Santa Cruz headset.
In our time with the new version of Santa Cruz, we found it to be a great experience, less compromised than the current Rift experience. Gaming areas can scale and it will be interesting to see what developers can do about it. We just have to keep waiting - the developers will get it next year.
Almost three years after the first headset was introduced, HTC released the HTC Vive Pro, which displays video images up to 3K resolution - more precisely 2880 × 1600 - built-in headphones and a new nose valve to better prevent any leaking light from working.
Oh yes, and now it's blue. But otherwise it's the same headset, including the field of view. Think about it less in Vive 2.0, but vive 1.5 and we expect it to appeal mainly to VR enthusiasts.
In our short time trying this, we did notice the crisp resolution, while the inclusion of the headphones makes it more complete. There are also dual microphones and dual cameras on the front (another one than the vanilla Vive), which will open the door for developers to do more, although HTC is keen on the specifics of these tools.
Now on Kickstarter for $ 499, Pimax's new 8K VR headset aims to address two VR problems: motion sickness and not-so-great field of vision. It does this by expanding with a 200-degree field of view, which is 220 degrees closer to a human's field of view. It also has two 3840x2160 displays. Both of these things mean a more immersive experience, and after spending time with a somewhat quirky-looking headset, we can say it looks like it is pushing VR forward a lot. In fact, we had a hard time going back to the Vive or Rift after facing the large field of view in the Pimax 8K.
Virtual reality headset: Oculus Go
At Oculus Connect 4, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg announced a new, affordable standalone headset called the Oculus Go. The headset sits between the higher-end Oculus Rift and Santa Cruz headphones and the low-speed Gear VR.
It features 3DoF tracking in a headset and a remote control similar to the Gear VR remote that has 6DoF. It also got tracking from the inside, so you won't need to build your living room with sensors. Oculus says the headset comes with next-generation lenses that reduce glare and improve field of view. In addition, there is built-in surround sound.
Development kits ship in November before the consumer version arrives in early 2018.
Virtual Reality Headset: Lenovo Mirage Solo
One of the big announcements from last year's Google IO was that the Daydream platform wasn't just mobile headsets like the View. No, instead Google announced an entirely new segment of the Daydream platform: standalone headsets.
These are headsets that will use WorldSense technology, which will be completely wireless and without a smartphone. No need to connect them to anything, no need for sensors or trackers. All this is handled by the headset itself. And we've seen the first of these in the flesh: the Lenovo Mirage Solo.
The Solo boasts a 2560x1440 resolution and 110 poles, so even though it's not tethered, it still delivers decent performance. Although it offers 6DoF tracking, the playing space is now only 5 meters in diameter. We hope Google's WorldSense will open in the future.
Launching with Headset - Mirage Camera, VR shooter with two 13MP fisheye lenses and 180x180 field.
Expect it in the second quarter, but Lenovo is simply being told it will be "under $ 300" and the headset will cost less than $ 400 when it goes on sale in the second quarter. Again, nothing more specific than that.
Virtual reality headset: Fove 0
The Fove 0 differs from the likes of the Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR in that it offers dedicated eye-tracking technology. Not only can this be used to make games responsive to your life, but it can actually create a more natural depth of field that VR cannot currently handle.
The Fove setting is a 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 1440 pixels; the field of view is more than 100 degrees; Frame rate 70 frames per second; and eye tracking measured at 120 fps. With the updated developer kit, the big sidebars and quite a lot of new prototype design are gone. The company promises that the new model offers "significantly reduced weight, size and overall durability, as well as better production efficiency." You may have to wait a bit - Fove has yet to confirm plans for a consumer version.
Virtual reality headset: Razer OSVR HDK 2
Razer's OSVR is not a competitor to the likes of the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and Samsung Gear VR. Instead, it aims to make life easier for developers to create applications for VR hardware, without technical constraints (software and hardware).
You can now grab the OSVR Hacker Developer Kit 2. Its 2160 × 1200 dual OLED display puts it right against the big names. However, there are still some problems with the comfort of work. As the name says, the typeface is still open source, allowing third parties to do whatever they want with them.
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Briefly about the capabilities of VR headsetsWhat is virtual reality
Virtual reality is an artificial world that can be entered using special technical means.
What for? To get new impressions: to feel like someone else or to find yourself in completely incredible situations.
Now you can dive headlong into a brave new world. Not through the monitor, as before, but using VR helmets or VR headsets.
How to get there
Meet Samsung Gear VR, one of the most famous virtual reality headsets around. In fact, it's just a plastic box with grooves for installing a smartphone. Putting this thing on the head, the user sees a multiply enlarged phone screen through the lenses.
This creates the effect of presence. Through the headset, you can view spherical panoramas or 360-degree video, turning your head to the sides. Plus to play very simple arcade toys with poor graphics.
Why meager? Because VR headsets are not meant for serious entertainment. Everything depends on the power of the mobile processor. Even if you have the latest Galaxy Note 7 wearing glasses, it cannot compare with the video card of a full-fledged computer.
Samsung Gear VR
Why are VR helmets needed?
And here the second type of devices for immersion in virtual reality comes to the fore: VR helmets. Two of the best to date are the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.
Oculus Rift
Gadgets have one thing in common: both connect to computers and cannot work without them. All VR content is stored in the PC memory, processed by a powerful processor and video card, and then transferred to the VR headset as a monitor. There are much more possibilities here than headsets, and the graphics are much better.
Htc vive
It turns out that with the Oculus Rift, the user is sitting in a chair or watching VR content while standing. With HTC Vive, everything is much more interesting: there is a small platform on which you can navigate, and two joysticks with many buttons. With their help, you can take virtual objects and use them. For example, grab a bow and start ruthlessly shooting the people besieging the fortress. King Arthur, we've been attacked! From the outside, the process looks very funny.
The HTC Vive comes with special joysticks for control.
By the way, have you already guessed that you won't be able to play your favorite Crysis or some Witcher with Oculus and HTC VR glasses? All content is "tied" to the manufacturer's branded stores, and this is the main problem. All virtual reality today is 360-degree photos and videos, demo applications and a very limited number of special games. The mechanics are interesting, especially with the Vive, but overall they are pretty basic.
