For Microsoft, the future of computing is not only virtual reality but also “mixed reality,” the company’s term encapsulating AR and VR experiences. That started with HoloLens, but that device costs $3,000 and is targeted at developers. Microsoft has something else in mind for consumers: $300 VR headsets from PC makers like Dell and HP. Until now, the closest we’ve come to Microsoft’s mixed reality vision was by touching (but not using) aLenovo headset. That all changed last week, when I put on Acer’s Windows 10 headset.
At first glance, the unnamed headset doesn’t look like anything special. But look a bit closer and you’ll notice a few intriguing elements, including two cameras on the front and a sharp, almost race car-like design. The visor portion of the headset can also flip up, so you can easily see what’s happening in the real world without taking it off entirely (something Lenovo’s entry also does). Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take any photos, but it looks exactly like the model we saw back at CES (albeit in bright blue instead of red).
I had no trouble putting on the headset while wearing glasses, though it was a bit tough to adjust the head strap without actually seeing it. Like the Vive and many other VR headsets I’ve tried, Acer’s entry is fairly front heavy, so it might take some adjustment to make it feel comfortable. Once I found a decent fit, it felt like something I could easily wear for an hour or more.
Those two cameras on the front are the most intriguing part of Acer’s headset, as they allow it to track your environment and head position without the need for external sensors like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. This technique, known as inside-out tracking, is an offshoot of what Microsoft developed for HoloLens. The goal: to make VR setup easier for consumers, removing the need to drill holes into your walls for the Vive’s lighthouses or find desk space for the Rift’s standing sensor. That solves one of the biggest problems Microsoft noticed with the Rift and Vive units at its stores: Lots of buyers would return VR hardware because it was too tough to set up.
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Source: Engadget