VR Headsets Offer a Lot of Fun and a Glimpse Into a Potential Future
Virtual reality headsets are the next big thing in entertainment. With companies like Samsung, Oculus Rift and HTC releasing their own models, it is clear that this technology's time has come. The future of fun and entertainment really is going to be located in virtual reality!
Virtual reality headsets offer so much potential; it's no wonder they're becoming such a hot commodity. Many people are excited about the technology and can't wait to get their hands on one of these devices that will allow them to teleport into new worlds with just the push of a button. The future has arrived – virtual reality is here! It's exciting because we don't know precisely where this tech could lead us shortly, but we do know that there is an opportunity for entertainment like never before and other industries such as education & training; medical & health; engineering & construction, and so much more!
Virtual reality has the potential to be a game-changer for many different industries, especially entertainment. For example, imagine being able to watch your favourite football team play in virtual reality – you could feel like you're actually on the field watching the action as it unfolds right before your eyes. Or if movies are more your thing, how about walking around Hogwarts, taking a tour of Pandora or exploring Mars? The possibilities with VR technology seem endless, which is why people can't wait to see what comes next. However, to get involved, you need a good headset to start.
1 - Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is one of the most well-known virtual reality headsets on the market today. This headset was created by Palmer Luckey and launched via a Kickstarter campaign that raised nearly $250 million in funding. The Oculus Rift opened for pre orders in January 2016, with an expected shipping date of March 2016, but due to a component shortage, it didn't ship until April, 2016. In May 2014, Facebook purchased Oculus VR for US$400 million, which caused some controversy as there were concerns about how personal data would be used or misused from this platform. However, Facebook has been sure to ease those fears saying they will not share information without permission and keep users' identities anonymous unless giving consent otherwise. More versions have been released since the initial Oculus and it’s a good choice.
2 - HTC Vive
HTC teamed up with Valve to release the HTC Vive, another virtual reality headset that has received a lot of attention. This device was announced at Mobile World Congress in March 2015 and had an initial shipping date set for November 2015, but due to many delays, it didn't ship until April 2016. The Taiwanese consumer electronics company will reportedly be investing $US100 million into VR technology over two years as they see a bright future ahead! The HTC Vive includes 90 sensors, including 70 on the front panels, allowing you to have 360-degree views within your surroundings using both controllers – one for each hand – so you can interact with this virtual world just like how you would do so in real life. To function correctly, the HTC Vive requires a PC with certain specifications, though most newer models can meet those specs.
3 - Samsung Gear VR
The Samsung Gear VR was designed in collaboration with Oculus and is one of many virtual reality headsets powered by your smartphone. This headset has an onboard touchpad, gyrometer & accelerometer sensors to detect head movement, as well as a proximity sensor that automatically pauses the game or content when you remove it from your face.
As well as being able to watch movies or play games in virtual reality, there are other ways that VR technology will be utilised. There is no doubt that this tech offers so much potential for businesses and organisations, too – imagine training employees without having them leave their office! Or what about an architect creating new buildings from the comfort of his own home? The possibilities do seem endless when it comes to virtual reality headsets like these above.
