Microsoft Announces $399 VR Headset Bundle, Available This October
The company will have a collection of VR bundles from HP, Lenovo, Dell, and Acer with built-in tracking and the option to run at 60fps or 90fps depending on the PCs they're connected to.
Microsoft is making this fall a great deal more interesting for any and all parties interested in virtual reality. The company has been laying plans to democratize the mixed reality landscape and they’re going to be introducing a collection of headsets from a handful of companies this October.
The IFA technology show is underway in Berlin and Microsoft is using it as a stage to share information on their mixed reality headsets. The first wave of information has been detailed on their blog:
“We are on a mission to help empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more, and one of the ways we are doing that is through the power of mixed reality. Since January 21, 2015, when we announced Microsoft HoloLens, we have seen developers, partners, and customers innovate in ways we have never seen before. As a creator, it is inspiring to see the world embrace mixed reality; to see organizations and developers stretch the boundaries of what we can do with technology. Together we have created the most vibrant mixed reality community out there and it has been phenomenal to share in this journey with our community.”
Affordability and easy setup are a couple of the pillars that Microsoft is championing in order to make virtual reality available to the masses. The current tethered VR headsets require the placement of sensors for tracking so that users get the full experience. Microsoft’s upcoming lineup, including gear from HP, Lenovo, Dell, and Acer, will have their own built-in sensors that track your position. This allows for simple setups and easy transportation so the immersive experiences can be shared. These headset bundles w/ controller will start at $399 and, as the blog claims, work on PCs that start at $499.
There are no in-depth details on the PC requirements for these headsets, but Microsoft does share that they’ll be able to work in at least two different ways: 60 frames per second and 90 frames per second. They’ll eventually be offering PCs with those capable of 60 frames labeled as standard Mixed Reality PCs and those capable of 90 labeled as Mixed Reality Ultra.
The company’s Windows 10 Creator Update is also a significant piece of the puzzle, opening the door for creators that want to shape the ecosystem for augmented and virtual reality. Stay tuned to Shacknews for more information on this major shift as information is made available throughout the week.
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replyCharles Singletary posted a new article, Microsoft Announces $399 VR Headset, Available This October
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I still think they're working on the Oculus tie-in for XBX. I would have assumed that might be a holiday launch item, but there's been no word. Though, honestly, I guess they should wait until CES/E3 for a holiday 2018 launch. Best not to launch a $400 add-on for a new system in the same launch window. The internet would never let MS live that down.
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Probably wouldn't get enough developer support unless they can also get it to work with the original XBone and XBone S.
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Phil Spencer said they are waiting until its wireless before bringing it to xbox. Also that it is still early stages with VR so best to keep it on Windows for now and down the road xbox. He talked about VR on the giant bomb e3 show. https://youtu.be/KYph4FCz8AE?t=11m45s 11m 45s
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Minecraft VR. Yeah, say goodbye to your kids. 0.o
What we really need is a standard. Too many competing ones already. Not that I'm advocating MS, but we need another round of DirectX standards to really get this off the ground; which is pretty much the path that Steam is trying to take, but needs more hardware partners; which is what MS has here.-
kids shouldn't be using this, especially at length
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Is there any detail on why they are calling it mixed reality today? The trailer just shows games that are currently in the market as dedicated VR experiences. I'd be interested in the headsets if it offered something substantially different from my first gen Vive. Trackers are not an issue for me today, they're up and working great.
I really liked seeing Obduction in the trailer too, still a very pretty game. -
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using sensors on the headset instead of external ones might be an issue for tracking the touch devices when theyre out of the view of the headset
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60fps ewwwwww
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Works well for hololens
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