Oculus Unveils the Rift S, a Higher-Resolution VR Headset With Built-In Tracking (theverge.com)

Oculus VR unveiled the Oculus Rift S, a higher-resolution pair of virtual reality goggles that remove the need for external cameras by incorporating built-in tracking. The company partnered with Lenovo "to help it speed up manufacturing and to improve upon the design of the original Rift," reports The Verge. From the report: The result is a new VR device that is more comfortable, sports 2560 x 1440 resolution (or 1280 x 1440 per eye), and features the same inside-out tracking system that will ship on Oculus' upcoming standalone Quest headset, which the company calls Oculus Insight. That way, you won't need cumbersome cameras to enable full-body movement. In another twist, both the Quest and Rift S device will cost exactly the same at launch: $399, with the same pair of slightly modified Touch motion controllers included and the same integrated audio system (plus a headphone jack for external audio). That decision makes it clear that Oculus wants its VR platform to offer a choice not between two vastly different pieces of hardware, but by the more simple determination of whether you have the hardware to power PC-grade VR. The Rift S will support every existing and future game on the Rift platform. "The company is also enabling cross-buy and cross-play features," the report adds. "That way, you can buy a Quest and, at a later date, upgrade to a Rift S and still have your entire library intact. Additionally, multiplayer games that support both platforms will let players play one another, regardless of whether you're playing on a Quest or Rift device."

The Rift S and Quest will be shipping this spring.

Comments

It's a Lenovo Mixed Reality Headset

[BenJeremy]

Sure, it has more inside-out cameras (I think), but it no longer has mechanically adjusted PD and no ear phones.

In some ways, it's a step backward. I'd rather have seen a hybrid approach to sensors - the inside out is great, but a couple sensor pods behind wouldn't be too bad. Oculus "partnered" with Lenovo on the "S" - and they basically swallowed up the Lenovo Mixed Reality headset (which can usually be had for a lot less than $399), and passed none of the cost savings onto consumers.

Where's the wireless option? Go and Quest are standlones, and have their own issues... how about something like Vive's wireless option? Instead of pushing VR tech forward, they've just sidestepped into Microsoft's MR standard. It's not a terrible thing... the MR headsets are very good, and inside-out tracking is very slick, but it isn't a step forward.

I want no tethers and galvanic stimulation to ward off motion sickness (and feel motion). I want OLED displays. I don't like losing the earphones.

Macs can drive VR just fine

[SuperKendall]

Macs don't have suitable drivers for the video card and the apps/software runs on Windows.

They have capable hardware so that is not an excuse. In what way do they not have "suitable drivers"?? Are you saying I couldn't easily drive a Rift from a Thunderbolt 3 connection and an eGPU or iMac Pro GPU? Come on.

Plus, you'd need a Mac Pro,

Nope. Newer iMacs, any laptop that can support eGPU, an iMac Pro. Multiple options for how it could happen and consumer who would pay if it worked well. Very likely as large a market as those who are willing to spring for VR gear in the first place. When Apple enters the market they will dwarf all existing marketshare near instantly and show just how wrong that opinion is.