There is a huge tech show going on with IFA 2016 in Berlin, and it happens annually. There are a lot of new products on display, and Qualcomm, the American multinational semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company, has created a new virtual reality headset. Of course, we are entering into a Virtual Reality age with other VR headsets coming out, but this one from Qualcomm is different because it is wireless. This is the news about Qualcomm's VR headset, with its Release Date and price comparison to products like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR.
You heard me before that this Qualcomm VR is completely wireless. As mentioned before, we are entering into a virtual reality age, but we are not yet in the thick of it. A lot of VR headsets have to be connected to something else, and wires are sadly the way to go. Considering that the goal of VR is to be completely immersive, having wires attached to you is just this unseen burden. It's like trying to fly a vehicle that has to be plugged into the wall.
Qualcomm's headset using mobile technology, using Qualcomm's Snapdragon VR820 chip for serious portability and it doesn't need a PC or gaming system to work. That is the good news, but the bad news is that you, the average consumer, won't be able to purchase it, at least for now.
According to CNET, this wireless VR headset is designed as a platform for other companies to build on. Yes, it is a prototype, and they will ship the reference design in the fourth quarter. Hugo Swart, the head of company's home entertainment business, said that he expects commercial devices to launch early of next year. So it is just a demonstration of a real device.
So yes, it is not something that you can go to the store and buy now, but it is a proof of concept. No doubt we are looking at the next generation of VR headsets here. Perhaps in only one year, all VR headsets will be upgraded so they are all wireless, and those old generation wired ones will look like dinosaurs.
Fortunately, if you are looking to purchase these Virtual Reality headsets now, you can do that. The HTC Vive is $800 and $600 for the Oculus Rift, but both require computers that are pretty powerful. As for the PlayStation VR, it won't be available until October 13, 2016 for about $400. There are always the low budget versions like the Gear VR for Samsung Gear VR, available now.
