Virtual Reality: Discover the main options to enter this new world

VR ( virtual reality) refers to a type of advanced interface technology, connecting the user to a computer system. The objective of this technology is to recreate as much as possible the sensation of reality for an individual, leading him to adopt this interaction. as one of its temporal realities. For this, this interaction is carried out in real time, with the use of techniques and computer equipment that help to increase the user's sense of presence (Wikipedia). The concept emerged around the 70's, but it was from the 90's that we saw its first commercial examples. The theme popularized by the film "The Passenger of the Future” (The Lawnmower Man – original title), released in 1992.

The years have passed and the technology has advanced enough to become commercially viable, promising to be the most talked about topic in 2015. Your market is booming with an audience eager to jump right into this immersive form of interaction. This year device options VR are several, including almost all smartphones (yours probably already works, just a little cheap adaptation like this: here). For the most demanding users, several companies are already preparing to market their virtual reality glasses. Most of the examples presented here will be available during the course of this year. So that you can already know the main ones to enter this adventure, we have prepared a list of what we will see during the year:

HTC Vive

O Live is a mixture of hardware HTC with the technology of Valve, an unlikely partnership that was able to produce one of the most incredible virtual reality headsets of this first wave. Having a screen 1200 1080 pixels x in front of each eye and refresh rate of up to 90 Hz, qualities superior to those of Oculus Rift. That means people are going to need a PC more turbocharged to support your demand. The developer version of HTC Vive will come with entry to headphones, allowing the user to choose their preference. Spatial tracking is done by a combination of gyroscope, accelerometer and laser technology sensor. What's potentially even more exciting, though, is that HTC claims it will be able to get up and walk around, unfettered by cables through virtual worlds.

Oculus Rift

The experience provided by the leading virtual reality developer, being the most talked about so far, with its headset Oculus Rift, is undoubtedly one of the most elaborate examples and successfully shows what technology can offer. There is no retail version available yet, but its developer kit is impressive and already gives a taste of what we can expect. An external camera offers spatial detection when walking, limited only by the length of the cable connected to the PC.

Sony Project Morpheus

The option of Sony comes in the form of a pair of glasses VR with OLED screen 5.7 inches, to be used together with the control PlayStation Move and PlayStation camera, your actions are captured and represented in virtual environments. Conventional controls are also available if needed. Its release has not yet been announced.

Samsung Gear VR

If you want an exciting virtual reality experience without having to wait for future releases, that's possible with Samsung Gear VR. This gadget from Real 600 only works with phones Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and, later, with the Galaxy S6. This solution eliminates the use of other equipment. Your head controls the action, your movements are monitored by a bevy of sensors. During the MWC 2015, we got to know the new directional control included in the set, as well as the launch of its App Store.

Razer OSVR Hacker Dev Kit

A Razer took the lead in an initiative to try to standardize virtual reality technologies by launching its developer kit: the OSVR Hacker Dev Kit. Its goal is to create a universal platform, common to all manufacturers and developers. costing 600 reais, It is compatible with both cell phones and computers. This headset is designed to be opened, modified and customized. For the latest device version, the Razer added a display OLED. Your us is primarily intended for developers, manufacturers and enthusiasts.

Google Cardboard

The objective of this “do it yourself” kit is to disseminate the technology, sharing the experience with everyone, democratically. created by Google, this pair of glasses VR, made of paperboard, brings virtual reality, on any smartphone, to the masses. Contrary to expectations, the gadget really impresses everyone who tries it. Its main attraction is the price, less than Real 30. Learn more about him here.

Microsoft HoloLens

A HoloLens da ecosystem stands out as something entirely different: it is an augmented reality device that is essentially capable of inserting holograms and other images in your field of view. Here, the comparison with the previous ones becomes complicated, since the device combines what you really are together with objects created by the computer, creating a unique experience. THE ecosystem foresees its use as in virtual telecommunication, three-dimensional modeling and augmented reality applications, to name a few applications. Learn more about him, in a full article, by clicking on this link: HoloLens.

Nostalgia

For the younger ones, it is worth remembering that the technology is not new, having made its first commercial appearances in the news at the time, around the year 1991. In those days, the price of a pair of glasses VR and its peripherals resembled the cost of a car these days, which is the likely reason the technology was delayed. The video below shows a little about how it all started:

Sources: Cnet e Wikipedia.