In the virtual reality industry, there is a strong focus on current and future hardware. Facebook recently introduced the Oculus Rift S. While there was some concern regarding this unit, it seems the device providers everything users had hoped for. It is clearly an upgrade for PC users, and there is no external sensor requirement.
The Oculus Rift S is a Game Changer
It is commendable to see Facebook not give up on its VR headset dreams. While the Oculus Rift S is a powerful device, convincing consumers will remain somewhat difficult. Despite the advanced features and improved experience, virtual reality remains relatively unappealing to most people. However, these updates also show there is still plenty of progress to be made in this industry. Once units begin shipping in the Spring of 2019, it will be interesting to see if consumers show any genuine interest.
Among the new features are an improved display resolution, inside-out tracking, and no further need for external sensors. It is a co-creation between Oculus VR and Lenovo. While it is an upgrade tot he original Rift, it is not necessarily a mandatory upgrade for owners of the first iteration. Users who want to benefit from a higher-quality VR experience may want to check out the device. Additionally, the improved ergonomics will undoubtedly get some fans excited as well.
It is also worth noting the Oculus Rift S is “backward compatible’ with content created for the regular Rift. There are no major PC requirement changes, as both devices seem to have the same requirements for the most part. That is a smart decision by the company, as no one enjoys shelling out even more cash for a device they might not even need. The built-in tracking system is similar to the one of the Oculus Quest.
It is expected the Oculus Rift S VR headset will cost $399. That is not a low price, but it is not necessarily the most expensive unit on the market either. There may very well be a surge in second-hand original Oculus Rift headsets being sold through auction sites and the likes. That unit will still be supported by Oculus moving forward, although it is evident the new unit will get most of the attention in the near future.
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