The technology of virtual reality (VR) is fairly new, and each year, more companies are manufacturing varying kinds of gadgets to bring the VR experience to the public. However, not everyone in the general public can enjoy the fun experience VR can bring, as a decent VR headset is quite pricey.
Thankfully, at this year's Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA), Zeiss has announced a cheaper alternative to let everyone experience VR – the Zeiss VR One Connect. It allows users to run SteamVR games using any kind of smartphone, as long as there is a VR-ready PC present. Smartphones needed for the platform need not be really high-end, as long as the display offers at least 2K WQHD.
With the use of Zeiss VR One Connect and its connection to the Steam platform, a variety of VR games can now be played using a smartphone.
"Unlike previous mobile VR solutions, the smartphone hardware is no longer responsible for computing VR content," said Franz Troppenhagen, ZEISS product manager, in a statement.
"Instead, data is transferred from a computer straight to your smartphone. In combination with the VR ONE Plus headset, we offer a complete solution," he added.
Zeiss VR One Connect can be used via three components: the Zeiss VR One Plus headset or any mobile VR headset, the two included Bluetooth-powered motion controllers, and a USB cable that allows the SteamVR content from the PC transferred to the smartphone.
The controllers can only allow three-degrees-of-freedom (3DoF) motion using an advanced tech licensed from a company called PXL Vision, according to Engadget. Positional "room-scale" tracking is also not possible, as six degrees of freedom is usually required to access "room-scale" apps.
Aside from VR games, Google Earth VR can also be accessed by the Zeiss VR One Connect. Users just have to make sure they have a SteamVR-enabled PC, an Android, or iOS smartphone with a decent display. The Zeiss VR One Connect can then be used to enjoy countless hours of VR gaming.
Two bundles will be available for sale in the market – a bundle with just the USB cable and the motion controllers in tow, which will sell at $150; and a complete VR set that will cost $240. As stated in the press release, the Zeiss VR One Connect will be available for retail before the end of 2017.
