{"id":11119,"date":"2016-06-28T16:47:03","date_gmt":"2016-06-28T14:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pricecheck.co.za\/?p=11119"},"modified":"2016-06-28T16:47:03","modified_gmt":"2016-06-28T14:47:03","slug":"tech-tuesdays-is-2016-the-year-that-virtual-reality-takes-over","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/tech-tuesdays-is-2016-the-year-that-virtual-reality-takes-over\/","title":{"rendered":"Tech Tuesdays: Is 2016 The Year That Virtual Reality Takes Over?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier forms of virtual reality<\/a> used the term very loosely, with the first VR headsets of the 90s not really creating any sort of convincing “reality”, and their “virtual” worlds were more basic two-dimensional polygons than immersive alternate realities. Fast forward nearly two decades and virtual reality has made incredible progress in terms of quality and how accessible it has become to the general public.<\/span><\/p>\n

With companies like Google, Sony and Oculus VR all releasing major VR tech this year, we have to ask ourselves is 2016 the year that virtual reality takes over?<\/h2>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

The demise of 90s VR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the biggest failings of early VR headsets like the Sega VR was that they were widely expensive, putting them out of reach for much of the general public. In 1993 the Sega VR was expected\u00a0to retail for around $200, and you’d still need to buy the accompanying Sega home console and the individual games. The Sega VR was cancelled before it became commercially available, citing development problems and limited home use being the deciding factors.<\/p>\n

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Google keeps VR simple and affordable.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In 2014 Google took virtual reality out of the living room and put it in the hands of anyone with a handheld Android device. Google Cardboard<\/a>\u00a0was a innovative and low-cost platform meant to encourage interest in VR buy using a simple DIY viewer, an Android device and various VR apps. By January 2016 Google Cardboard had shipped more than 5 million units worldwide, making it the most widely produced and successful VR headset ever.<\/p>\n

Following the success of Cardboard, Google announced Daydream, a more robust version of their earlier VR hardware with improved visuals, more functional apps and an overall better VR experience. Also using the Android operating system, the list of Daydream-ready phones include Samsung<\/a>, HTC<\/a>, Huawei<\/a> and Xiaomi<\/a>.<\/p>\n