FAVOURITE VR HARDWARE – GOOGLE CARDBOARD
Taken from Amazon.com
Even though there is a myriad of different VR headsets to pick and choose from, I definitely like the Google Cardbord VR Glasses, purely for the fact that it was an attempt to make the technology of VR cost efficient and easily available. I like the concept behind it, even though it’s use is limited.
Although, in terms of wearability, the reviews are not the best, as users have to constantly hold it to their faces and it is definitely not the most aesthetic of headsets. Despite all the cons, the goal was to encourage users to explore and learn about VR, as well as to encourage developers to further innovate in the VR world without breaking their bank to purchase a VR headset.
In addition, there are lots of apps that are compatible with the cardboard goggles that can be found on Google Play Store and the iOS App Store for users to experience using the goggles with. In spite of all the limitations of the goggles, it’s still a good tool to begin the VR journey!
FAVOURITE MR HARDWARE – AJNALENS
Taken from http://dimensionnxg.com/
One MR headset that piqued my interest was the Ajnalens created by a Mumbai-based start-up. Ajnalens boasts a 90-degree field of view, as well as the ability to allow users to interact with AR objects through hand gestures, and navigate using gaze and voice command. However, this MR technology is still under development. The coolest part of this device for me is that it displays holograms on the visual display, helping us get yet another step closer to getting the Tony Stark level of technology.
Taken from http://dimensionnxg.com/
On an aesthetic level, in reference to the image, I also appreciate that the creators have experimented with using wood as the headset material instead of sticking with the conventional plastic.
Also, another thing to note is that it is a standalone headset, which is amazing given the amount of computational power I assume it would need to create a 3D map of the environment as it says it would, to provide a user experience that is as realistic and close to the real world as possible.