5 ms·

Maybe it's a silly question, but what happened with the attempts of using a smartphone instead of a whole new hardware? Isn't it easier to just create a helmet

by up6w6 5y ago

Maybe it's a silly question, but what happened with the attempts of using a smartphone instead of a whole new hardware? Isn't it easier to just create a helmet with some extra sensors and connect it to the smartphone?

shafyy 5y ago
It's not a silly question. Based on the experiences that were made with GearVR, it turned out that strapping a phone to your headset before starting to play increases the barrier and makes it significantly less convenient. And, convenience is king. Furthermore, there are a lot of different smartphones out there with different performance attributes. This makes is much harder to make a compelling VR experience, because you trend towards the lowest common denominator. Another point is that while yes, a smartphone has almost the same components as a VR headset, you can optimize the components and space much better if you are using it for a specific use case (which is as a VR headset) and not a general purpose phone. Finally, it's much easier to keep your VR headset charged and ready to go compared to relying on your phone to jump into VR.
Stevvo 5y ago
I just answered this question on another article yesterday. Here was my comment: Oculus already tried the phone route and abandoned it because of the inherent limitations of not controlling the whole hardware stack. Let's look at first mobile Oculus headset, the Oculus GO which was binary compatible with content made for GearVR; - Performed better than GearVR with a far slower SoC than the Galaxy handsets because the thermal solution could be designed around the headset. - Cost $200 vs the $1000 for a Galaxy handset + GearVR - Was more comfortable with higher weight because of better distribution across the headset instead of being concentrated in the front where the phone attaches. - The display was sharper with a lower resolution than GearVR, because you design the panel differently for headset than a handset
- charcircuit 5y ago
  >Performed better Yes, performance would be tied to how good your phone's SoC is. >Cost The idea is that everyone already has a phone. You don't need to include it in the price. >More comfortable You can put the phone on the back as a counter balance or just in your pocket. >Worse displays You don't need to use the phone as your display.
charcircuit 5y ago
You already need a compute unit in the headset to do the sensor fusion / tracking. The chip in my smartphone can't handle the number of cameras needed. I guess is that the cost of upgrading that chip to one that can support playing the VR content is worth it. I'm not sure what part of having a separate smartphone as a compute unit makes it any easier. It might even be harder to do.

by up6w6 5y ago

shafyy 5y ago

It's not a silly question. Based on the experiences that were made with GearVR, it turned out that strapping a phone to your headset before starting to play increases the barrier and makes it significantly less convenient. And, convenience is king. Furthermore, there are a lot of different smartphones out there with different performance attributes. This makes is much harder to make a compelling VR experience, because you trend towards the lowest common denominator. Another point is that while yes, a smartphone has almost the same components as a VR headset, you can optimize the components and space much better if you are using it for a specific use case (which is as a VR headset) and not a general purpose phone. Finally, it's much easier to keep your VR headset charged and ready to go compared to relying on your phone to jump into VR.

Stevvo 5y ago

I just answered this question on another article yesterday. Here was my comment: Oculus already tried the phone route and abandoned it because of the inherent limitations of not controlling the whole hardware stack. Let's look at first mobile Oculus headset, the Oculus GO which was binary compatible with content made for GearVR; - Performed better than GearVR with a far slower SoC than the Galaxy handsets because the thermal solution could be designed around the headset. - Cost $200 vs the $1000 for a Galaxy handset + GearVR - Was more comfortable with higher weight because of better distribution across the headset instead of being concentrated in the front where the phone attaches. - The display was sharper with a lower resolution than GearVR, because you design the panel differently for headset than a handset

charcircuit 5y ago
>Performed better Yes, performance would be tied to how good your phone's SoC is. >Cost The idea is that everyone already has a phone. You don't need to include it in the price. >More comfortable You can put the phone on the back as a counter balance or just in your pocket. >Worse displays You don't need to use the phone as your display.

charcircuit 5y ago

You already need a compute unit in the headset to do the sensor fusion / tracking. The chip in my smartphone can't handle the number of cameras needed. I guess is that the cost of upgrading that chip to one that can support playing the VR content is worth it. I'm not sure what part of having a separate smartphone as a compute unit makes it any easier. It might even be harder to do.