Five New Virtual Reality Headsets That Will Stun Their Users

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Once merely a dream of the past, virtual reality has become a growing part of the present-day technological landscape. The marketplace for virtual reality is constantly growing, evolving, and innovating, and with the recent releases of new and improved headsets from large-scale corporations like Samsung and Sony, virtual reality is becoming more and more accessible. Virtual reality can trace its roots back to the 1860s, when 360-degree art began to appear. Since then, virtual reality has grown to include everything from playing the latest video game to simply browsing the web hands-free. Read on to see some of the newest and best virtual reality headsets that are sure to stun their users.

5. Durovis Dive VR Headset

The Durovis Dive is “the world’s first virtual reality smartphone holder for consumers.” Rather than implementing electronics into a virtual reality holder, the Durovis Dive uses the processing power and display of your smartphone to create a simple and accessible virtual experience. The Durovis Dive works with Android and iOS smartphones and features a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a five-inch display. Simply start the application, insert your mobile phone, adjust the lenses, and play.

4. Oculus Rift Development Kit 2

Oculus, the virtual reality firm recently bought by Facebook for $2 billion, recently stated that it plans to release the first consumer version of its virtual reality headset next year for as little as $200. But for now, consumers are able to experience the second Oculus Rift prototype–the Development Kit 2 (DK2). The $350 DK2 has tweaked the original’s design and drastically improved its display and motion tracking with higher resolution and a separate camera that follows the headset.

3. Sony’s Project Morpheus

Few details have been released in relation to Sony’s Project Morpheus, other than the fact that it will be available as a PlayStation 4 accessory. However, Project Morpheus looks to be the first major headset to seriously compete against Oculus Rift when both models are widely released on the retail market in the upcoming years. Project Morpheus features an extremely sleek and comfortable design and a number of blue lights that help the Playstation 4 Camera track its position.

2. Samsung Gear VR Headset

Samsung has recently teamed up with Oculus to develop a virtual reality headset, the Samsung Gear VR Headset, set to launch this fall. Without any display of its own, the Samsung Gear uses the Galaxy Note 4’s HD display and Snapdragon 805 to create immersive visuals–similar to that of the Durovis Dive Headset. Once connected, the Gear VR software automatically launches and allows users to navigate through either a touch pad or by moving an on-screen cursor with a tilt of the head.

1. Valve Dota 2 VR Headset Demo

While Valve Corporation helps Oculus with its Rift headset, the American video game development and digital distribution company has apparently been working on its own virtual reality software as well. According to a few lucky users, the Valve Dota 2 VR Headset blows away every other virtual reality competitor. The headsets features a polka-dot exterior, extremely low persistence, perfect tracking, a high frame rate, and dual vertical 2,160-by-1,280 OLED screens. Unfortunately for now, the Dota 2 is only a demo.

Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Written by Derrick Krom

Derrick is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia where he received a B.A. in English and Communication Studies. Throughout his life, Derrick has traveled the country and even got to study abroad in London, England for four amazing months. He's a guitar player, avid music fan and lover of literature, film, and all things entertainment.