Virtual reality is here. Sure, Facebook has Oculus and HTC has the Vive but Microsoft is working on their own VR headsets. And we’re going to get our first look at these in December this year, according to the company.
Microsoft’s Alex Kipman has revealed that Windows 10 VR headsets are in the offing. In fact, they were revealed last week but were overshadowed by… the new Paint?
Back on topic, in typical Microsoft style the headsets will be made by a range of hardware partners, specifically HP, Dell, Acer, Asus and Lenovo but possibly others as well. The company has just offered some expertise to the hardware makers, gleaned from their ongoing Hololens project.
The actual hardware reveals will be taking place at the WinHEC developer events the company has scheduled for December. The first is taking place in Shenzen, China, on 8 to 9 December 2016 and the second in Taipei City, Taiwan from 14 to 15 December 2016. The Windows 10 VR headsets are expected to start shipping after Q1 2017.
Actual specs for… any of the as-yet unannounced devices are nonexistent but users will have the same tracking functions as seen in the Oculus Rift and the Vive. That’s six directions of movement tracking (up, down, left, right, back, forward). Then there’s something called inside-out tracking, which tracks head position without needing an external camera. The tracking cam is supposedly going to be built into the headsets, which will all be wired. At least, that’s the case at first.
The Microsoft devices are supposed to function with Windows 10 PCs and they are said to function without needing the psychotic system resources that the Vive and Rift need at present. We’ll have our eyes peeled for the new hardware in mid-December, just before the year in tech comes to a close.
Source: Polygon