Although still quite expensive and with relatively limited content offers, virtual reality headsets are gaining ground in the mainstream among gamers and tech buffs.
Here are some top holiday gift ideas for tech-savvy users looking to step into virtual reality.
HTC Vive
This headset is the market reference in virtual reality, although it
needs to be hooked up to a fairly powerful PC to enjoy the best of its
abilities. The fruit of a partnership between the Taiwanese manufacturer
and video games developer Valve, it comes loaded with all the
technology needed to transport users into parallel worlds. It ships with
wireless handheld controllers for moving around and interacting with
certain objects when possible. The HTC Vive is priced from $599 (over
P30,000) and is available at
vive.com.
Oculus Rift
The Oculus Go, a cheaper model aimed at making VR a little more
accessible, may be landing in 2018, but sector pioneer, the Oculus Rift,
is still available to shop this holiday. The headset has two adjustable
AMOLED screens plus a built-in microphone and audio system for full
immersion in 3D worlds. Again, it requires a relatively powerful PC to
get the best performance. It ships with a pair of handheld controllers.
The Oculus Rift is priced from $399 (over P20,000) and is available from
oculus.com.
Sony PlayStation VR
Principally aimed at PlayStation 4 gamers, this headset has two HD
screens and a near-100 percent field of view. It’s a little cheaper than
the sector’s pioneers, but requires an add-on camera to work, sold
separately or bundled with the headset. It’s compatible with around 100
games, including “Gran Turismo Sport”, “Final Fantasy XIV” and “Resident
Evil 7”. The Sony PlayStation VR headset is priced from $299 (over
P15,000). For retailers, visit
playstation.com.
HP Headset
Microsoft has teamed up with various manufacturers, including HP, to
roll out a series of more accessible VR headsets designed to integrate
with its new Windows Mixed Reality platform. This headset, complete with
motion controllers, offers a particularly high-res image (2880 x 1440
pixels) and a field of view up to 105 degrees. The HP Headset is priced
from $449 (almost P23,000) and is available from
store.hp.com.
Google Daydream View
Considerably cheaper than competitor models, this relatively basic
headset is designed to work with an Android smartphone or, in a more
limited capacity, with an iPhone. It’s above all an exclusive gateway to
Google’s Daydream platform, a virtual reality ecosystem promising
access to spectacular content, from 3D videos on YouTube and Google Play
Movies, to navigating Street View. The headset comes with a controller
which has a trackpad, a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The Google
Daydream View is priced from $99 (over P5,000) and is available from
store.google.com. JB
source: technology.inquirer.net
