The United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) has today approved a new patent application from Apple which is related to custom hand gestures for head-mounted devices. The head-mounted devices could be both headsets like the Apple Vision Pro and smart glasses.

It should be beneficial for users physically unable to perform a pre-defined gesture

The Vision Pro detects pre-defined hand gestures performed by a user and performs a corresponding function in response. However, in some cases, a user may be physically unable to perform the pre-defined hand gesture or to perform the function with a different gesture.

According to the patent application, users can customize gestures to achieve different interactive responses in the future. The application describes that the concept aims to allow electronic devices to detect user-predefined gestures and respond to perform corresponding functions. The application includes 48 design sketches, detailing how to detect these user-preset custom gestures and assign them to tasks or functions.

The company introduced a new tool called Gesture Association Tool in the patent, which first asks the user what functions they want to create gestures for. For an available gesture that is not activated, the device will assign a name to it. You can see a demonstration of it in the image below.

The process will be performed by a device including an image sensor, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The image sensors will capture the hand movement and share it with the processor. Then the device will extract a first set of features from the collected data and will gesture matching criteria based on the information collected through the sensors. To get a better idea of the process, you can refer to the images below.

While the main focus is on head-mounted devices like the Vision Pro, according to the patent application, the concept could be used in many other aspects such as headphones, windows having integrated display capability, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed on a person’s eyes, and much more.

(Via)

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Apple launched the Vision Pro high-end VR headset back in February of this year. As you probably know, it can be integrated with a Mac for an immersive experience with a large virtual display. Now the news is that Samsung is about to launch the “Android version of Vision Pro”, which is also expected to compete with Apple’s $3,500 offering.

The Apple Vision Pro alternative from Samsung

Soon after the launch of the Vision Pro, it was revealed that Samsung and a number of Chinese manufacturers are also working on the form factor to grab the market share.

According to the latest leak, Samsung’s upcoming headset is codenamed Moohan. The developer version of it will be available in October and the consumer version will be available in March 2025. Reportedly, Samsung will deliver the headset to developers in October this year, and will officially announce the product at the Galaxy S25 series launch conference in 2025. The headset is expected to go on sale in March.

Samsung’s alternative to Apple Vision Pro will reportedly come with two 1.03-inch OLED screens with a resolution of 2500×2500. It means a pixel density of 3500PPI. The displays will offer a refresh rate of 90Hz.

For context, the Apple Vision Pro offers 1.41-inch displays that have 3,660 × 3,200 resolution and a pixel density of 3,386 PPI. So the Apple Vision Pro could still beat Samsung’s offering in immersion. Nonetheless, the overall user experience will also depend on the OS.

According to a previous report, the headset will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 processor, and will also boast 12 built-in cameras. The device is expected to be priced around 10,000 Yuan, which is equivalent to $1,377.

(Via)

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Rumors of a new VR headset from Pico are surfacing, though the company itself hasn’t uttered a word. VR enthusiast Luna revealed the info after reportedly speaking with industry insiders and even getting a glimpse of what might be developer versions of the headset.

The headset will likely sport dual LCD screens with a 2160 x 2160px resolution.

The name “Pico 4S” is yet to be confirmed, but trademarks filed by Pico in March point towards its potential legitimacy. Luna’s reports shed light on the rumored specifications, which include an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset for better performance. The headset would also boast 12GB of memory for smooth operation.

Visually, the Pico 4S might sport dual LCD screens with a resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye, delivering a sharp viewing experience. A 90Hz refresh rate is also rumored, promising seamless visuals. The design could take advantage of a compact pancake lens, possibly paired with an electric pupil distance adjustment feature for personalized comfort.

For a more immersive experience, the headset might come equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite. This includes 4 tracking cameras, 2 RGB perspective cameras, and 2 infrared illuminators to capture room depth. The handle design is also rumored to be different from previous models, featuring a ringless approach.

Exciting additions are rumored on the mixed reality front. Room scanning and the ability to freely place virtual floating panels within the physical space are some of the possibilities mentioned by Luna. While Luna suggests these features are likely finalized, there’s always a chance for tweaks before release. Interestingly, a recent device certification in South Korea hints that the launch of the headset could be on the horizon, potentially arriving within the next few months.

(Via)

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The world of technology is is evolving at an unprecedented pace. After a decade centered on smartphones, artificial intelligence and mixed reality have captured the spotlight. Moreover, we expect these two technologies to combine in the near future, and leading to even greater results than what Apple Vision Pro offers today. However, how does this expectation reflects to consumer behavior? Recent IDC research suggests a highly promising outlook for AR/VR headsets in 2024. Here are the details…

After 2023 Dip, AR/VR Headset Market Set for Explosive Growth

Despite the existence of AR/VR headsets for some time, the selection of mainstream products remains limited. Until recently, Meta’s Quest models dominated the field. However, 2023 signaled a shift with Apple’s announcement of its upcoming mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro. While this development promises to energize the industry, it appears to have temporarily dampened sales. In fact, global AR/VR headset sales declined by 23.5% in 2023. This drop is likely due to consumers holding off on purchases in anticipation of the Vision Pro’s release.

Of course it’s expected that expectations will change significantly in 2024. Following the increase in the number of people purchasing Apple Vision Pro and the mainstream adoption of this technology, it is anticipated that more people will turn to alternatives. IDC estimates that sales are expected to increase by 44.2%, reaching 9.7 million units this year. Moreover, this figure is expected to continue to grow exponentially in the coming years, potentially reaching 36 million units by the end of 2028.

Remember, this is nothing more than a prediction and focuses on the current dynamics of the market. In 2023, a staggering 1.2 billion smartphones were sold globally. This widespread adoption reflects the centrality of smartphones in our lives, from essential communication to financial transactions. If AR/VR technology experiences similar significant advancements in the coming years, achieving the transformative impact of smartphones, it’s plausible that sales figures could reach comparable levels.

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Apple initially launched the Vision Pro spatial computing device in only the US. It was apparently done to cope with the supply chain issues and to simplify the sales process. One notable limitation of the Vision Pro headset at present is that it only supports English. Additionally, its virtual keyboard and autocorrect function is limited to English (US).

This is apparently fine as the headset is only available in the US at present. But won’t Apple sell it outside the US? Well, there’s a possibility that Apple is preparing for a global launch, or at least in some other countries. And Apple has also confirmed that they will sell it to more countries by the end of 2024.

visionOS code suggests upcoming virtual keyboard support for 12 more languages

• Cantonese, Traditional
• Chinese, Simplified
• English (Australia)
• English (Canada)
• English (Japan)
• English (Singapore)
• English (UK)
• French (Canada)
• French (France)
• German (Germany)
• Japanese
• Korean

We reported last month that this $3,500 headset could potentially launch in China as soon as April or May. Now looking at the languages Apple is working on, MacRumors notes that Apple could potentially launch the Vision Pro in the following countries:

• China
• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• Singapore
• UK
• France
• Germany
• South Korea

The launch is expected to take place before the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, which is expected to take place in June.

Speaking of the headset itself, most of the exterior of the headset is built with metal (aluminum) and laminated glass, packed with cameras and other sensors like LIDAR to map your surroundings with precision. This headset essentially revolutionizes how you interact with your apps, although, there’s still aren’t many available on the platform. As analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes, the expected global expansion of this headset before WWDC 2024 might be an effort to get more developers working on enriching the visionOS platform with iOS and iPadOS apps with revamped functionalities.

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With the launch of Apple Vision Pro, the headset market received much-needed attention from the masses. The already mature market includes players like Meta, Vive, and Valve, and the entry of Apple made it more competitive. Amid all this, a former Meizu executive, Li Nan, and the founder of Numiao Technology sarcastically shed some light on the expected Huawei Vision AR Headset via his official Weibo Handle.

As per the post shared, Li Nan claims that Huawei is working on a VR headset that will feature the company’s self-developed chipset, which would offer such exciting performance that there would be “no delay” in spatial renders. The VR headset will come with a Sony 4K micro-OLED display, which is expected to ship to the Huawei manufacturing unit within the next 6 months. The same display is part of Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Further, Huawei’s VR headset will weigh around 350 grams, which is around half of the 600 grams measuring Apple’s Vision Pro.

If we believe the story, then it would result in a great alternative to the Apple Vision Pro on the market. However, the pricing would be around 15000 Yuan, which roughly translates to ~$2100. We also expect it to be available for a lower price than Apple’s counterpart.

Huawei’s venture into VR is not entirely new, as the company introduced Vision Glass with a head-mounted display in 2021. It was bundled with a 1080P micro-OLED screen. This latest development aligns with Huawei’s previous efforts and its registration of the Vision Pro trademark back in 2019. Even some rumors state that Huawei is bringing its Mixed Reality headset.

Additionally, Apple may need to change the Vision Pro name in China, as Huawei already has the same name trademark in China.

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Apple has rolled out the first developer beta version of visionOS 1.1 for Vision Pro, introducing significant updates focused on optimizing Persona, the personal virtual image feature. Upon installing visionOS 1.1, Apple Vision Pro users will be prompted to re-enter Persona to experience the “latest cosmetic updates” included in the update. Social media platforms have already been abuzz with users sharing screenshots of the updated Persona, noting the detail enhancement and lifelike appearance.

Persona function to become more realistic

The new version of Persona showcases more detailed and realistic avatars, reflecting Apple’s commitment to continually improving the user experience on its VR platform. Notably, some users have observed new prompts in visionOS 1.1 Beta 1, indicating that Apple recommends users refrain from holding the headset themselves when entering Persona. Instead, users are advised to place the headset high or allow others to hold it during the setup process.

Despite these enhancements, Apple still designates Persona as a “beta” feature within visionOS 1.1, suggesting ongoing optimization efforts in future updates. Persona is described by Apple as a “real spatial representation” capable of capturing users’ facial expressions and hand movements in real time. This feature becomes particularly useful during Vision Pro’s video calls, where Persona can replace the user’s real face, providing privacy while maintaining engagement.

When setting up Persona, the system also captures the user’s eyes for use in the “EyeSight” function. This functionality allows the other party in a video call to see a virtually rendered image of the user’s eyes on the Vision Pro’s external display, enhancing the sense of connection and realism during communication.

Overall, the introduction of visionOS 1.1 with optimized Persona underscores Apple’s dedication to advancing the capabilities and usability of its VR platform.

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Technology, just as it simplifies our lives, can also introduce new problems. For example, “motion sickness”, a nuisance today, was a concern that no one had to deal with 100 years ago. For those unfamiliar, motion sickness is a feeling of nausea, dizziness, and vomiting that can occur when traveling in a car, boat, plane, or other moving vehicles. It can also be experienced during amusement park rides or in virtual reality settings. Now, Huawei has released an anti-motion sickness patent aimed at completely eliminating this issue. Here are the details…

Huawei’s motion sickness prevention system could be a game-changer for VR

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting information from the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems. For example, when someone is riding in a car, their eyes may see the car interior as stationary, but their vestibular system will sense the car’s movement. This conflict can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Fortunately, Huawei has released a patent for a new system that could help to prevent motion sickness.

The system works by generating real-time images of the vehicle’s movement relative to the road or ground. These images are then displayed on the vehicle’s infotainment system, allowing passengers to see themselves moving along with the vehicle. This helps to reduce or eliminate the conflict between visual and vestibular signals, which is the main cause of motion sickness.

Huawei’s motion sickness prevention system would address this conflict by providing passengers with accurate visual information about the vehicle’s movement. This would allow passengers to “follow the body with their eyes,” which could help to prevent or reduce the symptoms of motion sickness.

The system is still in the patent stage, and it is not yet known when it will be available in vehicles. However, the technology has the potential to be a major breakthrough in the fight against motion sickness. Especially considering the increase in popularity of AR/VR technology.

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Once again, Apple has acquired a technical patent that could revolutionize the way we perceive our environment using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This exciting new patent, numbered US 11715301 B2, enables a proposed headset attachment for the Vision Pro headset to help make phenomena more realistic. Users wearing this headset could interact with a whole new range of sensory experiences, from visualizing radio signals to hearing unique auditory fences designed for pets. It sounds like the future, but this seems to be happening right now!

The patent discusses integrating real-world content with CGI elements

According to the patent list issued by the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO), the innovative technology will likely bridge the gap between AR, VR, and the physical world. This will be accomplished by integrating real-world content with computer-generated elements, thereby enabling wearers to perceive special features.

Among the invisible features earmarked for visualization are electromagnetic signals such as Wi-Fi, airflow from HVAC systems, and the temperature of physical objects. The patent also mentions the potential for users to interact with auditory sensors for pets and sounds produced by musical instruments. However, the innovation doesn’t stop at visual and auditory experiences. Apple’s Vision Pro headset might offer an olfactory dimension to AR and VR. The patent details suggest the device could mimic various odours, simulating one or more pre-defined scents of gas, vapour, or particles.

This technology’s applications are seemingly limitless. For example, the patent outlines a scenario where users entering a virtual flower shop could smell the fragrance of the blooms or sense the aroma of fresh fruit in a simulated fruit store. This opens up a new dimension of sensory experience in virtual and augmented realities, further blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. Gaming will also reach new heights with technology such as this!

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According to recent reports from the Wall Street Journal, Meta, the company headed by Mark Zuckerberg, is engaged in discussions with Chinese enterprises to introduce its VR headsets into the Chinese market. The move aims to reestablish Meta’s presence in China and expand the availability of its devices. However, some Chinese companies express concerns due to Zuckerberg’s previous statements, which may pose challenges to potential collaborations.

One of the companies reportedly in negotiations with Meta is Tencent. The decision to proceed with talks was made by Tencent’s founder and chairman, Pony Ma, after an internal debate among executives. However, Tencent has stated that they first need to understand the cooperation conditions put forth by Meta.

Challenges and Opportunities in China’s VR headset market

If an agreement is reached, Meta’s Quest 3 headset is likely to make its way into the Chinese market. Unveiled prior to Apple’s Vision Pro in early June, the Quest 3 features the Pancake optical design, resulting in a 40% reduction in weight and thickness compared to the Quest 2. Powered by the latest Qualcomm chip, the headset boasts performance more than twice that of the previous Snapdragon XR2 generation. While the device has not yet been officially released, Meta has announced its pricing, starting at $499, which represents a significant increase compared to its predecessor.

Currently, PICO, a VR headset manufacturer acquired by ByteDance, holds significant influence in the Chinese market. PICO’s PICO 4 series of VR headsets offer a price advantage over Meta’s Quest 3. Furthermore, the VR headset market in China is relatively small, making the success of Meta’s collaboration with Chinese companies uncertain, even if the Quest 3 is introduced.

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Apple is excited about WWDC 2023, which will take place on June 5th. The event is expected to feature the company’s first AR/VR headset. Although the details of the product are not yet known, Apple is hinting at a virtual universe like the metaverse, while also adding digital elements to the real world. Experts, are already believe that AR/VR technology will be a great will be a major success. However, in short term, the product may not be as beneficial for Apple as we might think. Here are the details…

Apple AR Headset Could Contribute 10% of Business by 2030

Apple is expected to announce its first Augmented Reality (AR) / Virtual Reality (VR) headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023, and analysts have already begun evaluating its potential. Initial forecasts suggest the headset will be a major success. In fact, an analyst named Gene Munster believes that the AR headset could contribute to around 10 percent of Apple’s business by 2030. However, this might not happen as soon as we think. Munster’s prediction is based on the growing demand for immersive experiences.

“I believe the trend of more immersive consumer tech experiences will continue, which should pave the way for a robust headset market,” Munster said. “By 2030, I believe the wearables/glasses segment could account for 10% of Apple’s sales, a business similar in size to Apple’s Mac and iPad businesses today.”

Of course, it will take some time for the AR headset to reach this level of success. Munster believes that the first iteration of the headset will only generate $3 billion in revenue in its first year. However, he believes that the market for AR headsets will grow rapidly in the coming years, and that Apple is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.

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Apple is gearing up to unveil its Mixed Reality Headset soon. As the rumours around the headset continue to swirl, many are wondering how this product will fit into the broader market for virtual and augmented reality devices. Some analysts predict that Apple’s entry into the space could be a “game-changer,” given the company’s history of releasing innovative and stylish products that capture the public’s imagination and interest. However, others remain skeptical that the headset will be able to overcome the barriers that have kept other mixed-reality devices from gaining traction in the consumer market. Latest reports state that Apple is integrating its other services, such as Fitness+ with its mixed reality headset, which will allow users to work out in Virtual Reality. The company might even integrate some sports applications with the VR/AR ecosystem, letting users enjoy the thrill of playing sports from the comfort of their homes.

Apple’s Venture into VR & AR is highly anticipated

One key challenge facing the Apple mixed reality headset will be its price point. At an expected cost of $3,000, the device is significantly more expensive than other VR and AR headsets currently on the market. While some enthusiasts and professionals may be willing to pay a premium for Apple’s sleek design and powerful features, many consumers may simply drop the idea of the headset at such a high price tag. It remains to be seen whether Apple can convince a broad audience to invest in this new technology.

Another question mark hanging over the Apple mixed reality headset is the broader ecosystem of apps and services that will be available for the device. While it’s clear that the headset will have a strong focus on gaming, fitness, sports, and productivity, it’s unclear how well existing apps and services will translate to a mixed-reality environment. Apple’s track record of encouraging developers to create innovative apps for its devices is certainly promising, but it remains to be seen whether the company can create a compelling ecosystem that will entice users to keep coming back to the headset that costs a fortune.

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Netflix‘s Squid Game, which premiered last year, quickly became one of the most watched series of all time. While fans eagerly await the release of the second season, Netflix is busy leveraging the brand to its fullest potential. The latest partnership involves a Hong Kong-based VR start-up, Sandbox VR, which specializes in providing an immersive gaming experience with cutting-edge equipment and hardware. Here are the details…

Sandbox VR and Netflix Bring Squid Game to Real-Life with Immersive VR Experience

Hong Kong based Sandbox VR has collaborated with numerous entertainment and media companies to create realistic and fully immersive experiences for users. Their Star Trek-themed game, developed in collaboration with CBS, was a hit among sci-fi fans. The company’s newest collaboration with Netflix is based on the dystopian thriller Squid Game, which has gained worldwide attention for its intense gameplay and gripping storyline.

According to CEO and founder Steve Zhao, the company’s content team in Hong Kong has been working on the Squid Game experience for the past five months, and it will be launched later this year at Sandbox VR’s arcades across the globe. Sandbox VR’s expansion plans have been supported by investors such as Adreessen Horowitz, Gobi Partners, and Alibaba Group Holding. The company has 34 locations worldwide and is building 12 new ones.

Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, the company has rebounded and is now focused on increasing its global footprint to 40 locations by the end of 2022. Zhao confirms that the company is already profitable and has no plans to raise new funds at this time. Sandbox VR’s journey has not been without challenges, and the pandemic dealt a severe blow to the company’s business, leading to its US operations filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020.

However, the company has recovered and is now expanding its headcount, with 50 people working on research and development across product, technology, and content. Though the company’s growth in mainland China has been slow, it is making steady progress, and Zhao expects the location in Shanghai to return to normal operations this year. The company’s focus, for now, remains on the US market, where its collaborations with leading entertainment companies have proven to be a winning strategy.

As the virtual reality market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, Sandbox VR is well-positioned to take advantage of this trend. With its unique approach to location-based VR and collaborations with entertainment giants like CBS and Netflix, the company hopes to continue its growth trajectory and offer guests a fully immersive experience that meets their fantasies. With the Squid Game collaboration, Sandbox VR is confident it will attract even more visitors to its VR facilities.

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Apple is making a big move in the world of virtual and mixed reality with the reported development of a new headset. The company is said to be collaborating with several media partners, including Disney, as well as Sony Group to develop content for its MR headset. Here are the details…

Apple in talks with Disney, others on VR content for new headset

Apple is reportedly in talks with several media partners, including The Walt Disney Company, to develop virtual reality (VR) content for a mixed reality (MR) headset. According to the latest reports, the headset was developed in partnership with Sony Group and will feature two ultra-high-resolution displays External cameras for VR and a range of pass-through modes for augmented reality.

Apple is also said to be updating its own Apple TV+ material to work with the headphones. The news comes after Bloomberg reported earlier this month that Apple plans to launch its first MR headset this year. MR headsets allow wearers to use real-world objects to elicit a response in the virtual world. The iPhone maker’s MR headset is expected to launch at this year’s spring event and will reportedly cost around $3,000.

That’s double the price of the $1,500 Quest Pro virtual and MR headset Meta Platforms Inc launched last year. It should be noted that neither Disney, Apple nor Sony commented on the report. However, the news highlights Apple’s continued interest in the VR and AR space, which could open up new opportunities for media partners and content creators to engage with users in new and innovative ways method.

With Apple’s reputation for technological innovation and design, it will be interesting to see what the company brings to its mixed reality headsets.

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One of the founders of Oculus, Palmer Luckey, has just designed a new VR headset that can quite literally take your life if you die in-game. This VR headset design is clearly inspired by the popular anime SAO (Sword Art Online).

For those unaware, Palmer is no longer a part of the brand he founded and the company is now owned by Facebook’s parent company Meta. However, it appears that the Oculus Rift designer is still working on VR headsets. Luckey just recently modified a Meta Quest Pro VR headset, which quite literally has an explosive twist. This model is a prototype, which has an explosive attached to it. This can kill the wearer once he fails or dies in-game.

The device was inspired by an iconic anime and manga, which featured the NerveGear headset. The series in question is Sword Art Online, in which the VR headset was rigged to blow up when the wearer dies in the virtual reality game. Luckey unveiled the invention on his blog to commemorate Sword Art Online Day, which is held on 6th November. This is the day the in the manga and anime universe where 10,000 players were trapped inside the titular Sword Art Online VR MMORPG.

Looking at his post, Luckey showed that the SAO and Oculus shared a symbiotic relationship. Furthermore, he also began the Kickstarted for the Oculus Rift DK1 around the same time as the fourth episode of the anime that was airing in Japan. This show had reignited the public’s interest in VR and the NerveGear technology (depicted realistic simulations) helped people visualize the future of VR technology in reality.

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At Meta’s Connect Conference aimed at VR and AR developers, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, today officially announced the company’s latest and flagship virtual reality or VR headset, dubbed the Meta Quest Pro.

The newly announced VR headset Meta Quest Pro has been priced at a whopping $1,500, and the company will start shipping the device on 25th October.

This is by far the most expensive VR headset from Meta as it is priced $1,100 more than its previous offering, the Meta Quest 2. The company is justifying the higher pricing through the technologies used in the product. It’s clear that the company is ditching its customer-friendly pricing and looking to make Quest Pro a business-ready product.

The Meta Quest Pro is powered by an advanced mobile Snapdragon chip, which is developed with Qualcomm and aims to offer better production of more advanced graphics. It also comes with improved touch controllers with embedded sensors for better hand tracking, as well as new lenses for a better reading experience.

There are also some mixed reality features, blending the real world with the virtual world, which the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerburg is claiming to be an important feature as it takes a step towards the creation of the metaverse.

Meta is also partnering with other companies for applications optimized for the VR headset, and one of them is Microsoft with its work-collaboration apps for the Quest VR devices. Some of the Microsoft apps that will be available for the VR devices include Teams, Microsoft 365 suite, and the Xbox Cloud Gaming service.

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HTC is apparently gearing up to launch a new VR headset from its popular Vive series. The company is planning on launching this new virtual reality headset just before the end of this year.

Go small or go home. pic.twitter.com/PUqqKn4V5E

— HTC VIVE (@htcvive) October 6, 2022

The company had previously announced two new products, which was the Vive Flow and the Vive Wrist Tracker. Both of these were announced back in October 2021 and January 2021 respectively. Now, the brand’s official Twitter handle share a new teaser that showcases the new VR headset that has a compact form factor. Looking at the tweet, the company shared the caption “Go small or go home,” with a silhouette of the upcoming VR headset.

Furthermore, HTC also confirmed in the replies section that “We’re working on something big… we mean small. It’s a new headset!” Interestingly, the company also sent a press release to TechRadar, which was somewhat resembled the announcement of the HTC Vive Flow, which was its “first evolution” from its Proton project. In other words, the upcoming VR headset might be the “second” evolution or next gen iteration of this same project.

As of right now, finer details regarding this product or even its naming is still unknown. For those unaware, the Vive Flow was a pair of VR glasses that was launched with an innovative form factor, but with an expensive price tag of 499 US Dollars. Despite its unique design, the company’s Vive Flow was criticized for its performance and limited immersion. So, we can expect the newer model to bring improvements in this formula.

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PICO, a brand that makes VR products, has today announced that the company would be hosting a new product launch event in its home country China on 22nd September to unveil a new device which is likely to be PICO 4.

The launch of this upcoming product from the company marks the first VR product from the brand after it was acquired by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, earlier this year to expand its business.

If the reports are to be believed, then the PICO 4 will come with an industry-leading Pancake Optical Solution. Compared to the traditional Fresnel lens, it can reduce the size of the headset and significantly improve the wearing comfort for the users.

The PICO 4 is also expected to have significantly improved in terms of clarity, and the field of view angle has reportedly reached 105-degree, which can offer users a more immersive virtual reality experience.

There will reportedly be a Pro-tier headset from the company, which will include face and eye tracking, as well as a passthrough RGB camera that enables mixed reality experiences. It is also rumored to have an automatic IPD, which can automatically adjust the hardware for the wearer’s IPD (inter-pupillary distance).

The headset will be powered by Android Q and an unidentified Qualcomm processor. To know more about the devices, we will have to wait for the official launch event set to take place in the coming days in China.

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California-based virtual reality technology giant, Meta recently revealed that its next VR headset will be announced in October, at the company’s annual Meta Connect press event conference.

The news was revealed by present Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, in a special interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast (via The Verge). Mark states that for the next virtual reality device that is coming out in October, there are a few big features that will be included on the headset.

In the podcast, Mark Zuckerberg did not reveal the name of Meta’s upcoming VR headset, but reports and rumours point to the aforementioned device, being Meta’s currently in development Project Cambria, and that its official release name will be called the Meta Quest Pro (part of the Meta Quest/Oculus Quest series of VR headsets).

Mark Zuckerberg shares with listeners that Meta’s next device will introduce eye and facial to consumer VR headsets. He shares some examples of what the Meta Quest Pro can enable users to do, like making flexible and direct eye contact in virtual reality in conversations, make avatar facial expressions to emulate your real-life face expressions and the most shocking of them all, Mark explains that if you smile or if you frown or if you pout, or whatever your expression is, the upcoming headset can have that translate in real-time to your avatar.

As for other details regarding the upcoming Meta Quest Pro, we will have to wait until early October for Meta’s official launch announcement.

The Meta Quest Pro is rumoured to launch at a starting price of US$ 799 or higher, making it the most expensive virtual reality headset in Meta’s catalogue.

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(Via 1, Via 2)

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Sony has announced that the company will launch its PlayStation VR2 gaming headset early next year. While the launch date has not been confirmed yet, we expect the company to share more details in the coming months.

The company shared the message about the upcoming Sony PlayStation VR2 on its official account on Instagram and Twitter which reads “Coming Early 2023 #PSVR2.”

As the name itself indicates, the upcoming gaming headset will launch as the successor to the existing PlayStation VR which was launched back in 2016. Sony has already revealed several details about the upcoming virtual reality device.

The Sony PlayStation VR2 will come with the same color scheme as the PlayStation 5 console, along with a headband-type visor similar to the first PS VR. It is promised to feature unique vibrating feedback and controllers with advanced haptics.

It also has support for eye-tracking, a 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering technology that focuses only on where the fovea of the eye to maximize resolution and boost graphics with fewer pixels.

The headset has passthrough cameras for showing the real world in the headset. It can also scan walls, floors and obstacles like chairs and desks to get a clear sense of play space and create a boundary for the gameplay. It will also feature a live broadcast mode using the PS5’s TV-mounted camera for recording footage for a single stream.

The PlayStation VR2 will feature displays adding up to 4K resolution and support a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. The company has also revealed that the device can be connected to the console using a single USB-Type C cable.

The company has also already announced that the device will have a lineup of around 20 major games available for the users when PS VR2 officially launches. It will include titles set in the Horizon and Walking Dead universes along with VR versions of No Man’s Sky and Resident Evil Village, among others.

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• New trademark filing shows Samsung is working on a Galaxy VR headset

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Apple recently announced that its longtime hardware engineering chief Dan Riccio will be stepping down to focus on a “new project” within the company. While the company has not revealed what that project is, a new report claims that it is the company’s upcoming augmented reality, virtual reality, or mixed reality headset.

Currently, Mike Rockwell is overseeing the development of an AR headset at Apple but things don’t seem to be going well. With Dan Riccio into the mix, Rockwell will handle the day-to-day work on the project while Riccio will have oversight over the efforts.

Riccio has already handed over top-level management of the Apple iPhone to John Ternus, who will also be the new head of hardware engineering. It has also been confirmed that Johny Srouji will handle the development of a new camera and display technology. He is the same executive that headed the design and engineering of Apple Silicon.

As per the reports, Apple is working on an ultra-high-end 8K VR headset that could possibly cost around $3,000. This is surprising given that so far, the company’s work has been on AR and not VR. The company has been building ARKit, which is a developer API enabling the creation of AR experiences using cameras and sensors of iPhones and iPads.

Based on the information available so far, it seems that the upcoming AR/VR device from Apple will primarily be focusing on the developers or creators and not the mass adoption. We expect to know more about this product in the coming months.

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While there have been multiple rumors regarding an Apple AR/VR headset and its features, a recent report states that it might sport fluid filled lenses that will allow it to also work for users with bad eyesight.

According to an AppleInsider report, the Cupertino based giant’s augmented reality/virtual reality headset might feature fluids that can deform to the shape of lens to help improve the eyesight of the user. In either an AR or VR headset, the integral aspect is the ability to see the virtual content. However, since a headset will generally have the display at a close proximity of the users’ eye, which might cause discomfort overtime. Generally, a VR headset uses optical lenses positioned between the eyes and the screen, so being able to adjust the perceived focal distance for the user might make it more comfortable to use.

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi aims to overtake Huawei and Apple next year with 240 million smartphone shipments

At the moment, the technology used generally would have the lenses shift distances from the user to change the perceived focal length. Furthermore, this still creates an issue if the user has bad eyesight, which may require a change in lenses to completely remove the issue. This would cause users to remove their glasses before using the VR headsets since changing the lenses isn’t practical. But Apple might be able to working on a fix for the issue with a recent patent titled, “Electronic device with a tunable lens.”

In the patent, the company suggests that the problem of lens selection and switching could be eliminated by using a single lens system. The iPhone maker proposes taking advantage of fluid and pressure to make adjustments through a malleable lens that would require little input from the user. To sum things up, Apple might be working on creating a series of lens components around a central fluid chamber, which can be adjusted by inflating or emptying to change their optical properties.

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HTC, the Taiwanese manufacturer, has announced the launch of its latest HTC Vive Business Edition (BE) virtual reality headset in India. With this, the company seems to be aiming to cater to the enterprise audience that has virtual reality applications in the commercial market.

In India, the virtual reality headset comes at a price of Rs 1,26,990 (approximately $1953) and can be purchased from Amazon India as well as www.imonline.co.in. The company would also allow organizations to order Vive VR systems with additional services adapted for business and commercial environments.

The package contents for the HTC Vive Business Edition system includes Vive BE headset, two Vive BE controllers, two Vive BE base stations, 4 Vive BE face cushions, and a Vive BE 3-in-1 cable. The company is also providing 12-months limited warranty on purchase of the HTC Vive Business Edition in India.

Commenting on this, Faisal Siddiqui, President – South Asia at HTC, said:

Vive BE is reshaping the future of business operations by offering them a complete VR eco-system. Built to scale with growing business requirements, Vive BE delivers exceptional experience and innovative solutions that address the growing business needs of companies globally. As a part of our Vive focus in 2018 we plan to expedite the growth of our partner through application of Vive technology across key areas like gaming, entertainment, automotive, engineering and medical amongst others.

The device comes with a 3.6-inch dual-AMOLED display setup with a combined screen resolution of 2160 x 1200 pixels and a refresh rate of up 90Hz, 110-degree Field of View (FoV), and lens distance adjustment features.

It sports a Deluxe Audio Strap, making it easier to switch the headset between users. The headset comes equipped with several sensors, including G-sensor, SteamVR tracking, gyroscope, and proximity sensor. Connectivity options on the device include HDMI, USB 2.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, and Micro-USB Vive controller.

Read More: HTC Desire 12 Retail Box Leak Reveals Phone’s Specifications

Last month, at Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018), HTC announced the Vive Pro and Vive Wireless Adaptor. The Vivo Pro comes with a dual front-facing camera and has also built a new head strap that includes “integrated high-performance headphones with a built-in amplifier”. The company has not yet released the full tech specs nor the pricing and availability details.

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Xiaomi is known for selling its devices with best specs, affordable pricing and impressive design. Last year, Mi Scooter, Mi Laser Projector, Mi Walk-Talkie, Mi TV 4, Mi VR headset and Mi MIX had won The Good Design Awards 2017. Now, iF Design Award Committee has confirmed that 13 Xiaomi devices have won awards for exceptional design. On Weibo, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has revealed the list of devices that have received 2018 iF Design Award in Germany.

The 2018 iF Design Award received more than 6,400 entries from 54 applicants from across the world. The winners were chosen by a panel of 63 design experts from all over the world. The 13 Xiaomi devices that have bagged 2018 iF Design Award include Mi MIX 2, Mi 6, Mi MIX, Mi Note 2, Mi WiFi Powerline Adapter, Mi VR headset, Mi VR Play 2, Mijia Mi Action Camera 4K, Mi Walkie Talkie, Mi Laser Projector 150, Mi Body Composition Scale, Wiha Precision Screwdriver and Doctor Bei Toothbrush.

The original Xiaomi MI MIX concept phone was designed by well-known French designer Phillip Starck. Among several other awards, the Mi MIX has also won the GOLD Award at IDEA (International Design Excellence Award) 2017 last year. In September 2017, the Mi MIX concept phone was added to National Design Museum in Finland. The curator of the museum Jukka Savolanien said, “It points out the direction of future design of smartphones.”

Read More:Xiaomi Launches Circle Kitchen 4L Multifunctional Hot Pot Priced At 239 Yuan (~$38)

In December, the Mi MIX and Mi MIX 2 were added to the France’s world-famous art museum, Centre Pompidou that feature other masterpieces from Picasso and Marcel Duchamp. It also received praises from numerous publication across the world. According to Starck, the Mi MIX 2 is “a perfect phone” as it features a full screen design with reduced bottom bezel and ceramic chassis. It is powered by Snapdragon 835 chipset and has up to 8 GB RAM and up to 256 GB of storage. It is packed with a 3,400mAh battery.

Mijia is the sub-brand from Xiaomi through which it sells smart home products. Most of the smart home devices that have won 2018 iF Design Award can be seen sporting a minimalist design and they come with affordable pricing. Well-known tech companies have been selling aesthetically pleasing devices like iPhone X, Galaxy Note 8 and so on with exorbitant pricing. However, Xiaomi has always strived to maintain that a well-designed product does not mean that it should carry costly price tag.

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After months of leaks, HTC has finally unveiled a new standalone VR headset dubbed as Vive Focus. It was unveiled through Vive Developers Conference that was held in Beijing, China. Even though the Taiwanese firm has officially introduced the Vive Focus VR headset, it has not disclosed its specifications. Also, the company is yet to confirm on the pricing of the new VR headset.

Vive Focus VR headset can be mounted on the head. It features a high-resolution AMOLED screen and it is fueled by Snapdragon 835 chipset. The trackpad available on it is similar to the one found on the bigger Vive devices. Since the device is free from cumbersome cables and tracking beacons, the Taiwanese company calls it “world-scale.”

The design of the Vive Focus is similar to Sony’s PlayStation VR and HTC’s Vive Deluxe Audio Strap. It has an attractive blue finish and has a slightly rounded design. According to the official website, the Vive Focus is enabled with WorldSense feature which delivers six degrees of movement such as left, right, up, down, forwards and backwards.

Read More: Oculus Go Is A $199 Standalone VR Headset, Arrives Early 2018

Vive Wave VR open platform will allow developers to create VR-ready content for Vive Focus. Content created for Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream VR is also expected to come soon on Vive Wave. HTC will be also bringing games and VR experiences through Vivereport on Vive Focus.

The HTC Vive Focus is expected to first release in China. However, as mentioned above, the company is silent on the release date and pricing. There is no confirmation on whether the VR headset will be made available in western markets.

As far as HTC’s plans for the U.S. is concerned, the company has confirmed that it won’t be bringing Vive-branded standalone headset for Daydream VR. Google has confirmed that a standalone daydream headset by Lenovo will be heading towards the U.S.

(source)

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Little known Chinese benchmarking platform Master Lu says it has created a benchmarking tool for virtual reality (VR) devices.  The Master Lu Mobil VR benchmark version 1.0 is said to be the world’s first benchmark tool for mobile VR and is coming at a time VR gadgets are gaining more popularity. The number of VR headsets in the market continues to rise with the features becoming more sophisticated. A benchmark app that verifies the claims of VR manufacturers is just apt at this moment.

Thr mobile VR benchmark app will test the VR headset in three parts namely; Visual experience, performance support and sensors. The main scene of the new benchmark app is based on Unity 3D engine development which is the same platform used by games developers. Already, the benchmark app has already been tested using a total of 173 model testers, tests and analysis of more than 100,000 data samples in order to determine the credibility of the new benchmark tool. The score will be listed in percentage and the stronger the overall performance, the higher the resolution, the higher the refresh rate and the faster the visual response will be. The performance module’s highest score will be 50%, while visual effect is 20% and the sensor capability will have a maximum of 30% score.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi 6 Master Lu Benchmark Score Pops Up

If you are hoping to see the benchmark result of recently launched VR headsets, you may be disappointed as Master Lu has said it won’t be publishing the performance data of the VR they have tested. According to the company, “the user needs real data, rather than laboratory data.” For now, the app only supports Android devices.

(source)

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This year is technically the year of  Virtual Reality seeing as a number of the big players in the tech industry released their own VR headsets. While the affordable ones require you to use your phone as the engine behind the headset, the more expensive ones like the HTC Vive and PlayStation VR require a more powerful hardware and keeps you rooted to a particular area. However, there is a middle ground between those two categories: the VR headsets that have a built-in engine and provide the same freedom of mobility as the ones powered by a phone. That’s the category the Storm Mirror Matrix belongs too.

The Storm Mirror Matrix is a VR headset with a 3K display (1620 x 2880), a ppi of 705 and a 110° field of view. It is powered by a Snapdragon 820 processor and has 4GB of RAM.

The Matrix has adjustable focus to cater for those with myopia. You can change the focus by up to 600° via a knob at the top of the headset. Storm Mirror has put a 5000mAh battery that can last for up to 4 hours on a single charge in the Matrix. It also has Quick Charge 3.0 support, so you can recharge in a short time and get back to playing that game or watching that video.

READ MORE: Vernee Apollo-World’s First MTK VR Flagship Pre-sale

Storm Mirror says the Matrix runs on a custom user interface called Magic UI 2.0. Sadly, they didn’t provide much details about it. The Storm Mirror Matrix is priced at ¥2499 (~$431) which is still expensive but not as pricey as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Source: mydrivers.com

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Xiaomi is all set to release its first VR headset not too long after unveiling the Redmi Pro smartphone and Mi Notebook Air laptop. The  Chinese innovative start up revealed via a set of image teasers posted on their Weibo account that a VR product will be released on August 1.

Not much is known about the Virtual Reality headset Xiaomi is planning to unveil on August 1, just a couple of days from today, but it is speculated that apart from launching the VR hardware, Xiaomi will also provide lots of video resources which would give users an enjoyable VR experience.

The Xiaomi VR headset had of late been under discussions among fans of the company on Weibo and many are already anticipating for the arrival of this product. Also, from the descriptions on the posters the Mi VR headset promises to be a colorful VR which would give users the best VR experience.

RELATED: Dedicated Account For Xiaomi’s VR Found on Weibo

If Xiaomi actually releases its own VR headset on August 1, the company will join the ranks of Samsung, HTC, Sony and online giants Google as well as Facebook, who all have VR headsets under their brand name. August 1 is just three days away,  we are looking forward to see what surprise will come our way from Xiaomi on that day.

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OnePlus 3 official release date is approaching and I was one of the lucky ones that managed to get the OnePlus Loop VR headset for free. Well, I just needed to pay the shipping fee of 7 EUR, to be precise. I spent some time with it and here is my full review.

OnePlus VR  Headset Review: VIDEO

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8BJY8esTps[/embedyt]

OnePlus VR  Headset Review: UNBOXING

Inside in the box you are getting the headset itself, some paperwork, a cleaning cloth and a head strap.

OnePlus VR  Headset Review: DESIGN and FEATURES

The very first thing that is going to impress you is the build quality. I’m not sure what will be the retails price of it but I presume it will be around $30.

The headset uses high-quality plastic, rubber, foam and other materials and the device does not look cheap at all.

The one and only thing that you can control is the distance between your eyes. I was disappointed that you cannot control the distance between the phone and your eyes. Also, you have to know that this is a passive headset, meaning that there are no control buttons.

I am not going to talk too much what you can do with any basic VR headset but you can check out the video of the Blitzwolf VR headset review for that.

In order to start using the VR headset, you have to slide your phone in and for this review I used the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. There is some foam and rubber inside the sliding part and it kept my phone secure. Well, this review would have been completely different otherwise.

When it comes to any VR headset, one of the key aspects is comfort. Unfortunately, the OnePlus headset fails in this department.

I may sound a little subjective, or my nose has a weird shape, or my head has a weird shape… I don’t know… but the main issue is that there is no cushion on the nose part and it is really uncomfortable. You can partly solve this issue by sliding the headset up to your forehead but it may slide back.

OnePlus VR  Headset Review: CONCLUSIONS

I can’t complain much about the OnePlus VR headset since I got it for free. In fact, I love a great build quality and a choice of materials. However, you cannot adjust the distance between the phone and your eyes.

Also, I didn’t find the headset to be comfortable to wear. I’m not sure for how much OnePlus is going to sell it but I have reviewed some other cheap options that may not have that great build quality of the OnePlus VR headset, but they are more comfortable to wear.

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Last year, OnePlus gave its fans an opportunity to experience the OnePlus office during the unveiling of its brand new flagship smartphone, the Oneplus 2. While the company’s VR event received a mixed response from viewers around the globe, the company will continue the tradition of a Virtual Reality (VR) launch for its next major flagship, the OnePlus 3. This time around, you won’t be experiencing the company’s office, instead, the launch will be at the company’s virtual space station called the Loop.

And to make things special this year, the company will be allowing users to directly purchase the OnePlus 3 flagship in the Loop, before anyone else, making it a first global VR shopping experience. For VR, you need a headset and in case you don’t have one, OnePlus will be giving away free 30,000 OnePlus Loop VR Headsets to its fans this year. The company has partnered with Ant VR to make this headset, which is much more sturdy and durable than the cardboard ones sent last year.

But getting hold of one could be a hassle. First of all, the link that Carl provided was for only US customers. So, initially, it was thought that the free Loop VR headsets were limited to US. Later, it was revealed that you have to change the country from the bottom right corner. The ideal solution was to enter your country code in between the link, e.g. www.oneplus.net/uk/oneplus-loop-vr. As for Indian OnePlus users, it looks like the Loop VR sale will be on Amazon. You can register for the sale from here.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 by itself is a pretty good smartphone, featuring one of the best processors in the market today, Snapdragon 820. It is also one of the best value for money flagships in the market right now, starting at just 1999 Yuan in China which comes to around $310. But there are a lot of Xiaomi fans outside of China as well and for them, third party retailers are the best bet. Most have a pretty good markup on the base price, mainly because it’s still hard to get hold of the device, even in China.

Now, OPPOMART is trying to make your purchase of the Xiaomi Mi 5 sweeter, as the retailer is throwing in a free VR headset along with your new flagship. The Mi 5 32GB version is currently in stock and is available for $369. Considering that now you are getting a free VR headset, this turns out to be a good deal.

The VR headset is worth $30 and will be shipped separately after your purchase of the Mi 5. You can check out more details about the deal from the link below.

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There’s no doubt that VR is the future. We have seen some great headsets from companies like HTC, Oculus and even Sony. But they are quite costly and are easily priced upwards of $400. So, what about those who are looking for a cheap product that can still provide a good VR experience?

For them, you have the Google Cardboard. But the cardboard is pretty basic and its material is not really ideal for long term use. This is where devices like the VR Box comes into the picture. For a few dollars more, you can get an enhanced version of the device. The VR Box is made out of plastic ensuring that it lasts a whole lot longer than the cardboard.

From what I see, there are a lot of benefits of using the VR Box instead of the much simpler Google Cardboard. It’s water proof and wear resistant to some extent. Plus, it’s adjustable as well. You can adjust the lens sideways or even to the front / back. The VR Box can reportedly use smartphones from anywhere between 3.5-inch to 6-inches. Make note that the length and breadth of the smartphone that you wish to use inside the headset should be less than 163mm and 83mm respectively.

It’s pretty easy to insert the smartphone inside the VR Box, as the holder comes out sideways. Plus, you get lots of padding up front, so that it’s comfortable watching something in VR for some time. There’s a section up front, which can be removed if need be, exposing the camera on your smartphone for things like augmented reality. Finally, there are openings on both the sides of the device for your headphones.

The VR Box is actually quite a handy gadget for your first VR experience. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a good VR experience as even devices like these can fulfill your needs.

The Glasses just cost $30.99 and with it you also get a free smart bluetooth wireless mouse. Check out the listing on lightinthebox from the link below.

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LeTV managed to surprise everyone by launching a trio of smartphones back in April. The company had also revealed its interest in the VR industry and today, we have got news that LeTV is busy developing its own Portable 3D IMAX Private Cinema Headset.

COO of LeTV, Liang said that the company is working on such a 3D IMAX headset, which will consist of a lightweight IMAX quality headset and the smartphone as the 3D video source. The 3D screen set and the sound equipment will be directly integrated into the light weight headset. The smartphone will be used as the video source to deliver an IMAX like experience. It is even said that this 3D VR headset will support short-sighted users.

As for the content, the company has its own R&D as well as good ties with game developers who can provide resources for this headset. So, finding 3D and 4K content for the device won’t be a big problem.

You can expect to at least see a prototype version of this 3D IMAX headset by the third quarter of 2015. Pretty interesting right? We just hope that its price is decent.

In the mean time, you can check out our LeTV One full review!

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