Oculus Rift

Oculus Rift virtual reality headset coming in early 2016

There has been high anticipation among electronic gadget lovers ever since the first Oculus Rift virtual reality headset was revealed as a Kickstarter project way back in 2012. Now technology enthusiasts are thrilled with the announcement about the launch of the Oculus Rift headset for customers as early as the first quarter of 2016.

The makers of Oculus VR announced the headset’s release on May 6, 2015 without further details about the Oculus Rift price or exact release date. Also—to keep the demand in check—pre-orders for this product will begin by the end of 2015.

The Story So Far

Working on a Kickstarter project, Oculus VR was the first company to explore virtual reality with the potential to develop innovative gaming experiences. The company sold Oculus Rift development kits to developers, gamers, and engineers who were interested in creating and shaping imaginative virtual reality experiences.

The DK1, the original developer kit for Oculus Rift, featured a 60Hz refresh rate with a 1280 x 720 screen resolution combined with no positional tracking. This was transformed into the better functioning DK2—the second-generation kit that had a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 and combined features for positional tracking with camera. A later modified kit version called Crescent Bay came with features that closely resembled the ones Oculus VR intended for the final version.

Details Revealed for Final Version

The final consumer version of the Oculus Rift to be made available for the public in Q1 of 2016 will be delivered with compelling content and a full ecosystem, as well as a fully integrated hardware and software tech stack that has been designed specifically for virtual reality.

This final model adds more value to the earlier Crescent Bay prototype with an upgraded tracking system made to offer wonderful seated and standing experiences. It will feature a significantly refined industrial design and improved ergonomics for a comprehensive natural fit.

The Oculus team will reveal further technical specifications for the Oculus Rift revolving around hardware, software, and inputs on the Oculus blog in upcoming weeks. Readers excited about the VR experience can stay tuned to the blog for new announcements about VR games compatible with the system. At the E3 gaming convention scheduled to be held from June 16, 2015 to June 18, 2015 in Los Angeles the Oculus VR company will reveal the new software.

The wait for 2016 might seem long for passionate gamers and virtual reality fans but the product promises to live up to the expectations and beyond. Until then, Rift enthusiasts can keep following the product updates and announcements to keep track of the possible features that will be available to consumers in early 2016.

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