Oculus Go isn’t the only major standalone VR headset launching this week: Lenovo’s Mirage Solo just went on sale too.
Available for $399, the Solo is the first standalone VR device to run on Google’s mobile VR ecosystem, Daydream. It runs all the games and experiences that have released for the platform over the past two years without the need for a Daydream-compatible smartphone. Everything you need to jump into VR is already built into the headset.
That also includes an inside-out tracking system called WorldSense that enables six degrees of freedom (6DOF) positional tracking. Oculus’ Go features 3DOF tracking that allows users to twist their heads, but with WorldSense the Solo will also allow your head to physically move through virtual space. The motion controller that comes bundled with the device, however, is a simple 3DOF remote.
Also launching today is Lenovo’s Mirage Camera, which falls under Google’s VR180 banner. As that name suggests, the camera is capable of capturing images and video with a 180-degree field of view, sacrificing full panoramic content for easier use and higher quality footage. The camera costs $299 for a Wi-Fi version that has integrated Google Photos and YouTube support.
These new devices represent Google’s second wave of Daydream-based hardware. It’s fair to say Daydream hasn’t made as big of an impact as Oculus or SteamVR in the industry yet. Can a standalone headset change that?
