Lenovo to Release Headset For Windows Holographic VR Platform

Lenovo headset's inside-out tracking may spell the end of external sensors for VR.

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Microsoft's Windows Holographic platform is spurring initiative from companies like Asus, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Dell, to build in-house VR headsets. Microsoft is partnering with these companies to help make a new generation of consumer VR devices, and Lenovo's headset looks like it'll be the first to make it to market.

Lenovo's headset design is lighter than the current mainstream lineup of Oculus, Vive, and PSVR. Lenovo says its headset will have higher fidelity than the Rift, Vive, and PSVR, with two 1440x1440 OLED panels making up the display.

The biggest thing Lenovo's headset and the Windows Holographic platform is bringing to VR though is inside-out, six-degrees-of-freedom tracking. If this works correctly, it will mean the end of the cameras and sensors that current devices need to track properly. How this tech measures up is yet to be seen, but a more accurate, easy to use tracking solution is one of the most desired features a headset can have from VR enthusiasts and will further the VR industries push into the consumer mainstream.

System requirements haven't been revealed yet, although press images have shown Windows Holographic headsets tethered to mid-range laptops. Lenovo stated that their headset would work natively with Windows and that every Windows Store app would work in a theater-style viewer mode. Some HoloLens software is also slated to be converted to work with the Windows Holographic platform.

The headset hasn't received an official name yet, but it's slated to ship sometime this year and retail for between $300 and $400 USD. Unfortunately, no dedicated VR controllers have been announced for the headset, so you'll have to purchase those separately.

Contributing Editor
From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 3, 2017 9:35 AM

    Jason Faulkner posted a new article, Lenovo to Release Headset For Windows Holographic VR Platform

    • reply
      January 3, 2017 9:41 AM

      Will have to wait for reviews of this kind of thing to see how well it works but the price point is getting much closer to what I'd be willing to spend.

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      January 3, 2017 9:42 AM

      Wonder how much of these we'll be seeing at CES.

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        January 3, 2017 9:57 AM

        We'll at least see the Lenovo headset. I'd be surprised if 2 or 3 other companies didn't reveal their Windows Holographic headsets as well.

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          January 3, 2017 9:58 AM

          Reliable inside out tracking tech plus a reliable wireless solution would be super awesome amazing. I think both could happen this year.

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            January 3, 2017 10:20 AM

            Oculus supposedly has working inside-out tracking working in a prototype. I wouldn't be surprised if CV2 includes it.

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        January 3, 2017 11:21 AM

        Lenovo did their big PR already, so that is why they have everything out in the news today. I expect Dell and HP will have news this week as well.

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