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Bloomberg: Facebook unveiling $200 wireless Oculus VR headset in 2018
- Thread starter ArtHands
- Start date
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
miller.skippins
Banned
carry a battery in your face is gonna make it hot....
Yeah, I don't think that was the best way for them to put it. I'm not interested in either, I want it attached to a powerful machine, but calling it 'crap' before we even see it is awfully ignorant.
Fully agreed. Positional tracking should be standard for all gen 2 devices. But guessing they haven't found a cheap solution yet for these cheaper wireless HMDs.
This is not the next gen Oculus HMD though. Not without positional tracking.
BomberMouse
Member
This is great for video content, which is easy to produce and has more mas market appeal. Makes sense, will see if it takes off.
BlackBanditSho
Member
same. If they can get around the overheating issue, too, we're talking something significantly awesome here.
I had a PSVR and enjoyed it, but i've been waiting on either google or oculus to make this announcement for some time. It's very surprising that this doesn't have positional tracking, but i guess at the price point this is the best that we can hope for. A better standalone Gear VR is a great thing and a BIG DEAL. I think that if 'Pacific' has a strong Oculus Store interface, allows you to play previously purchased GEAR VR games, and is completely standalone...
..at that price point, it's a home run. I'd almost rather have that over PSVR until VR completely matures into it's final form. Very excited about this news.
ArtHands
Thinks buying more servers can fix a bad patch
Its not really a gen 2 devices. Its more like a category of its own (like a handheld to a home console). But VR isn't going to follow the standard iteration of upgrade pattern like the consoles for long. In the end, its all going to converge: mobile/standalone, positional tracking, high power, eye tracking, finger tracking etc.
I am just hoping it will be able to access Samsung Gear VR's library and app store.
Noisepurge
Member
So just a dedicated google cardboard? Pointless.
Serious Sam
Member
I would be more concerned about electromagnetic radiation.
Yea I can see that happening. Still seems like the next GearVR to me though and it definitely needs to support that Gear VR library if that's the case. They must nail this cause quality content is still scarce in VR.
Backlogger
Member
They must be using middle out compression to make it work
I'd be more concerned about motion sickness due to no positional tracking, and it, you know, being a real issue as opposed to both your suggestions.
Its already been mainstream. Mobile phones with Gear VR, Cardboard, etc.
Cant get more mainstream than smartphones.
I get your point tho, lol. Wireless and cheaper than Vive, Rift. The recent discount on Rift shows they are ready to take it there now.
Now this $200 headset.
This too. Newspapers, magazines, etc had VR content for awhile now. Probably as long as mobile phones been doing VR.
Got a feeling this is more geared towards the mobile crowd than the Rift, Vive, PSVR crowd.
phoisgood495
Member
You're being sarcastic, but I think things like this do damage the image of VR overall. Because people will think this is all VR has to offer, and throw it away. You see it here all the time people who dismiss VR after not being impressed by Gear VR without realizing that Gear VR does not deliver an experience anywhere close to the immersion of high-end headsets.
CrunchyFrog
Member
Kind of a bait and switch in the OP there. This is a standalone headset not a wireless VR display. If we're gonna play this game we might as well call an ice chest a wireless freezer. On top of that there's no positional tracking which makes the value add over an upgrade to a phone that anyone in the market for this would already have and could make functionally equivalent for less money. I get the appeal of trying to make VR into an easy mass-market stratum but this literally adds nothing to what already exists on top of failing to be all that compelling in the first place.
Gear VR sold a lot yes but what kind of ongoing active engagement is there? It's more than possible that this was another dust-gathering Wii/Kinect fad situation. I'm not convinced there's any serious momentum in the mobile VR space. Anecdotal, sure, but I've yet to run into literally anyone besides myself who's used it for more than a few days.
Gear VR sold a lot yes but what kind of ongoing active engagement is there? It's more than possible that this was another dust-gathering Wii/Kinect fad situation. I'm not convinced there's any serious momentum in the mobile VR space. Anecdotal, sure, but I've yet to run into literally anyone besides myself who's used it for more than a few days.
sixteen-bit
Member
That's a more mass-market friendly price
Neuromancer
Member
I'm not sure I see myself picking one up, since I already have a Gear VR I never use anymore now that I have PSVR. But I like the concept and I hope it does well.
outunderthestars
Banned
Yep. Still way too underpowered to be actually good.
Curious to see what the middle ground looks like and exciting we're getting our first standalone headset so soon.
A bit skeptical that the functionality seems much closer in line with a Gear or Daydream than the console/PC path. Will this really be a significantly better experience from what's currently available on mobile? Is the standalone aspect that much more convenient and compelling to make this the entry level choice over what's already out there? Hard to imagine it will be but have to start somewhere.
A bit skeptical that the functionality seems much closer in line with a Gear or Daydream than the console/PC path. Will this really be a significantly better experience from what's currently available on mobile? Is the standalone aspect that much more convenient and compelling to make this the entry level choice over what's already out there? Hard to imagine it will be but have to start somewhere.
Dreams-Visions
Member
No positional tracking
why make this?
you guys really need to do a better job at reading the fine print.
why make this?
you guys really need to do a better job at reading the fine print.
Netherscourge
Banned
What is the point of VR goggles if there is no position tracking?
You may as well just get one of these:
You may as well just get one of these:
Yep, headsets without positional tracking make VR look bad.
Sounds basically like a VR porn viewing machine and that's it.
I don't expect positional tracking at this price point yet, but that doesn't mean entry level devices are worthless. It still approximates your head movements in 3D space and there's still an initial "wow" factor if you've never tried VR. It can be adequate for certain use cases when paired with a remote that also has (limited) tracking capability, but agreed it's no substitute for the real thing.
I really can't see how you could possibly launch a Qualcomm based platform that had more graphics power than an S8 at $200.
You can probably launch one that is functionally equivalent to an 835 at $350/$400 by then, but even that would be extremely unlikely and you'd be operating at a loss.
You can probably launch one that is functionally equivalent to an 835 at $350/$400 by then, but even that would be extremely unlikely and you'd be operating at a loss.
LordBaztion
Member
You got my interest facebook, now show me what games can it run
AndrewDean84xX
Banned
No way with this headset.
Exactly my point. It is unfair to say it will be better than Gear VR when it's almost an skeleton. If it is better than Gear VR and Daydream with their respective mobile devices, then congrats to them. It seems unlikely.
CrunchyFrog
Member
The point is the tech isn't there for a compelling product to exist at this price point yet. This is like putting down people criticizing the idea of a $3000 formula 1 racer. Like of course WE know it's not gonna be up to par with a standard F1 vehicle and fine, sure, maybe there's a market for people out there who wanna try formula 1 racing but don't have the cash/means to buy the real thing, but if it is marketed as and unknowing people buy it expecting anything close to an actual F1 experience, in the way that this thing almost assuredly will, people are gonna be sorely disappointed or at the very least nonplussed. And unlike $3000 F1 racers there's an actual realistic roadmap to a compelling and affordable VR product that could have chilled sales as a result of this down the line.
Skyfireblaze
Member
Can someone please explain to me what kind positional tracking is talked about here? Enhanced head-tracking for looking around or actual moving through a room?
As a disabled person I've been waiting for a decent VR headset option that allows me to play fully seated without having to move my arms :/
As a disabled person I've been waiting for a decent VR headset option that allows me to play fully seated without having to move my arms :/
CrunchyFrog
Member
From what it sounds like this thing will purely track the rotation of the headset and nothing more, no forward/backward/translational movement, no motion controls besides maybe some rudimentary gyro tilting.
FWIW Oculus rift launched with a standard xbox gamepad only and the majority of its library is playable with just that.
An impressive package at that price, but this right here is a deal breaker for me.
Edit: lack of motion controls is honestly fine. My favourite VR games have not used motion controls.
If anyone is interested in budget VR but doesn't have a compatible phone, this looks like a good option (at the moment)
Skyfireblaze
Member
Thanks for the explanation, from what I read and heard this kind of positional tracking seems to be very important and makes this device wholly mediocre to me.
Also I'm aware of that, I'm still waiting for VR to become a bit more affordable to take the plunge but I was getting worried that this kind of VR experience will become niche and full-movement VR will be the norm with non-motion VR becoming rare, it seems my worries are largely unfounded though thankfully.
If this is the future of Rift, then I am out. Will look into what competitors are doing for their next gen VR sets.
This just sounds like a Gear VR competitor and that's not a good thing. The internal phone specs means it will only run games that would run on your typical cell phones. This means the games you already own, will almost certainly not run on this set.
No positional tracking means a watered down vr experience and will take you out of the experience a lot. Also no motion controls. Gross.
UNLESS Oculus has a few ace cards up their sleeves like maybe they found a new way to do tracking or maybe roomscale/AR without the need of the sensor arrays then there is nothing here to convince me. At $200 I very much doubt there will be any really cool tech surprises.
Sounds like Oculus is about to target the lower class of VR customers. Gear VR clones are becoming a dime a dozen and well Oculus wants to make a splash in that market and are working on something that no longer appeals to me.
I also wonder if this is the reason that the rumored Oculus Rift Xbox One X plan did not work out...
This just sounds like a Gear VR competitor and that's not a good thing. The internal phone specs means it will only run games that would run on your typical cell phones. This means the games you already own, will almost certainly not run on this set.
No positional tracking means a watered down vr experience and will take you out of the experience a lot. Also no motion controls. Gross.
UNLESS Oculus has a few ace cards up their sleeves like maybe they found a new way to do tracking or maybe roomscale/AR without the need of the sensor arrays then there is nothing here to convince me. At $200 I very much doubt there will be any really cool tech surprises.
Sounds like Oculus is about to target the lower class of VR customers. Gear VR clones are becoming a dime a dozen and well Oculus wants to make a splash in that market and are working on something that no longer appeals to me.
I also wonder if this is the reason that the rumored Oculus Rift Xbox One X plan did not work out...
FIREKNIGHT2029
Member
Sounds interesting. Probably won't get since I already own a PSVR and this seems well below what the PSVR is capable of.
SprachBrooks
Member
digitaltrance
Member
Probably just another product on their VR line up. Rift 2 is coming I bet especially with the big sale.
SmoothRunningGun
Member
Knew tbe fire sale meant something was coming soonish.
BigBusiness
Neo Member
Sorry in advance for my ignorance, but can someone explain what positional tracking adds to the experience?
Relatively new to the VR game, although I've tried a bit of Samsung VR and PSVR on separate occasions.
Relatively new to the VR game, although I've tried a bit of Samsung VR and PSVR on separate occasions.
Head tracking allows you to move your head in three-dimensional space, so for example you could lean forward to peer at something on a virtual table, or peek your head around a virtual corner.
Without head tracking all you can control is the direction that you can look: your viewpoint is fixed in space.
Cool, but it's hard to get excited for any headset that doesn't feature positional tracking. Seems like a nice way to get mobile VR though without need a samsung phone.
This is a mobile headset not a Rift 2.
This is a mobile headset not a Rift 2.
Not having your virtual viewpoint reflect the subtle movements of your head (beyond rotation) makes basic VR use less comfortable and the sense of "being there" way less powerful, even if the game you're playing doesn't call for movement beyond simply looking around.
Furthermore, VR headsets without positional tracking so far have lacked the ability to anchor themselves to the real world, so to speak, causing the gyro-based rotational tracking to drift over time.
If you have used Samsung you will notice that leaning does not do anything within the headset. The only thing GearVR is tracking is the movement of your head.
PSVR has positional tracking because it is using the camera to track the lights on the front of the headset. This allows you to crouch down or lean forward to get closer to objects in game etc.