Hello VR adventurers!
Since there is a lot of interest in our last VR highlights video - thank you so much for
that - we decided to make another one.
This one has 5 MORE VR highlights that we found interesting and think you should not
miss.
Coming up!
First of all, welcome to another episode in our DIVE INTO VR series, where we share our
excitement about VR technology, news and just everything beyond that.
Subscribe if you want to join more VR adventurers like this one.
If you haven’t seen our last video yet, I’ve linked it down below.
Let’s get started!
Number 1.
The first highlight on the list.
During CES a reference VR headset was displayed by Qualcomm with a couple of interesting components.
Components that sound very much like the VIVE COSMOS, making us believe that these features
might be what we will get from HTC’s newest headset.
To give you a bit of context.
Qualcomm has been providing reference designs to VR hardware companies so that they can
base their headset on their design.
Helping them to make a VR headset suiting their needs more quickly.
They are also the manufacturers of the Snapdragon processors that power a lot of standalone
VR headsets.
The Oculus Go, for example, uses the Snapdragon 821.
So we think the Cosmos might be based on the reference headset that was on display last
week.
This is why it is interesting to check out its features, not only because it might be
in the VIVE Cosmos, but it can also give a good idea on what is coming in future VR headsets.
So what were the capabilities of this Qualcomm reference headset?
The first interesting similarity with the VIVE COSMOS is that the reference design has
a flip-up visor too.
The second similarity is that there is a detachable cable that you can plug into smartphones.
Third… a USB-C connector that allows you to tether the headset to a PC.
Fourth similarity… it has detachable headphones.
Now, HTC has been pretty cryptic about their Cosmos headset capabilities.
But the Qualcomm reference headset did show off its capabilities during a demo.
So if it is true that the Cosmos is based on this reference design, then it will most
likely have these specs too.
The reference design features 2K LCD displays per-eye and 90Hz refresh rate.
This is an improvement over all HTC VR headsets.
During the CES demo, the reference design was also plugged into a mobile device that
used a Snapdragon 855 and was on a local 5G network.
They were showing off an experience using this network.
Previewers mentioned that it was impressive.
RoadToVR, a VR news website, predicts that HTC is planning on launching a phone that
has the same kind of specifications as this mobile device.
So, an HTC phone that could power the VIVE Cosmos.
This could be the reason that they were not ready to talk about more specifications on
the new headset.
We might hear more about the Cosmos once this HTC phone is out.
But time will tell!
I just know that we cannot wait to hear more...
Number 2.
Another reference design showed up at CES, this time it was from DisplayLink.
And this might be a design for an Oculus Rift Wireless Adapter.
During E3 two years ago, DisplayLink showed off wireless VR that later became the HTC
VIVE Wireless Adapter.
Which is a Wireless Adapter that we enjoy very much as it has a much more user-friendly
setup with fewer issues than the TPCAST.
What’s interesting about this reference design is that the battery is built-in.
While other wireless adapters have external batteries that you need to carry on your belt
or pocket.
Whether this is going to become an official Oculus Rift Wireless Adapter is unsure though,
but with this reference design, the possibility is definitely there.
And honestly, any wireless adapter competitor is welcome at the moment as most of these
adapters are very pricey.
We hope that more competition will also lower prices for these adapters.
Oculus Rift Price Cut to 350 On another, but not completely different,
note: during CES the Oculus Rift got a permanent price cut of 50 dollar.
This means that the Oculus Rift is now priced at $350 for the headset, two Touch controllers
and two sensors.
Any VR hardware price reduction is great news in our opinion.
While you are watching this, don’t forget to leave a like so that we know we should
make more of these type of videos!
Number 3.
Pimax were also present during CES, showing off their 8K and 5K Plus headsets and the
hand-tracking and eye-tracking modules.
Not only that, but they also showed off their upcoming controllers, which looks very similar
to Valve’s Knuckles.
However, the controllers were shown as a prototype for people to hold.
You were not able to test them out in a VR app, unfortunately.
The eye-tracking module is an add-on that you can insert onto the headset.
Reports have shown that it works well, but as of now, you cannot order it yet.
The hand-tracking module is also an add-on and uses Leap Motion’s technology.
People who have tried it have said that it has stable tracking and a wide range of tracking.
We like this idea of having separate add-ons for a headset instead of having to buy a new
headset for a new feature.
Now, we are not going deep in detail about the Pimax here, but let’s quickly go through
their notable capabilities.
The Pimax 8K has a resolution of 3840x2160 per-eye and the 5K Plus has a resolution of
2560*1440 per-eye.
Both have a very sharp display, which is said to reduce screen door effect to a minimal.
The field of view of both headsets is 200 degrees maximum, while other major VR headsets
are around 110 degrees.
We made a video with our full first impressions on these Pimax headsets, if you are interested
I’ve linked it down below.
We have tried both these headsets back in our country and feel that the increase of
FOV is definitely something worth trying if you are looking to increase immersion, but
we also feel that the prices of these headsets are very steep.
However, if you get the chance to try these headsets out at a show like this, we recommend
doing that.
Number 4.
With Cybershoes you can walk in Virtual Reality without needing the space.
This is a VR accessory that you can wear on your feet, which allows you to walk in a virtual
space while sitting down.
For this, you need a chair that can rotate 360 degrees and with the Cybershoes on your
feet, you can use your legs to walk around in the game.
Underneath the shoe is a roll that can precisely track your movement.
The company says that the walking movement is very intuitive and that the virtual space
won’t be limited by real space like this.
They also say that after learning how to use it, you can use it efficiently without tiring
your legs.
Cybershoes uses a dedicated wireless receiver that connects via USB to your PC.
It uses radio signals for stability and performance.
The battery should give you about 8 to 10 hours of playtime.
You also need carpet for this to work.
The company sells “compatible” carpet itself called a “Cybercarpet”.
The company also says that the shoes are compatible with any SteamVR applications that utilize
a touchpad or thumbstick for free locomotion.
It is compatible with VIVE, Oculus Rift, Pimax and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
The company is also planning on adding support for the Oculus Quest.
During CES they demoed the Cybershoes with Skyrim VR to show off exploration, and Doom
VFR to show off what its like to use the shoes in a high-paced action game.
Responses to the Cybershoes have been good.
While reports say that it's not a perfect solution, it does make an interesting option
if you don’t have a large space to walk in VR.
Number 5.
3DRudder is another VR accessory that helps you save space and enables you to walk in
VR with your feet while seated.
Instead of using shoes, however, the 3DRudder is a round device that kinda looks like an
autonomous vacuum cleaner.
You place it on the ground and while seated you can rest your feet on it.
By tilting your feet, you can move around in the game.
For example, by tilting the 3DRudder forward, you’ll be able to walk forward.
By turning it with your feet, you’ll be able to use smooth turning in the game and
turn around.
There are configurable feet gestures too to let you jump or duck for example.
The 3DRudder was already available for PC VR but now announced that it will release
a version for the PSVR.
It will cost 119 dollars and it is expected to arrive in April.
We reviewed the 3DRudder for PC VR before and we felt that it can be accurate, but you
do need to get used it.
It also did not always help us personally with motion sickness, but that is a very personal
thing.
Other reviewers have said that it does help with that.
We feel this could be an interesting alternative controller for PSVR.
Especially for people who prefer playing seated, this can be an option to increase immersion
while seated.
We think it’s cool to see two completely different ways to walk in VR while seated.
Both uniquely approach what they think can solve motion sickness.
Those kind of concepts are always welcome in our opinion!
So what do you all think?
Out of all these highlights, what are you most excited for?
And we are also curious to hear what kind of technological advances you WANT to see
FIRST for VR in the future?
This can be anything you can think of!
Make it crazy!
For example.
I think I would like to see a body suit, much like the teslasuit, that allows us to feel
in Virtual Reality, but then for a nice consumer price.
Let me know yours!
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And VR on!