Virtual reality is not a new concept, in fact it has been around the information technology and computing world for many years, with the term Virtual Reality being coined in 1987 by Jaron Lanier a computer philosophy writer, computer scientist, visual artist, and composer of classical music. The concept of virtual, immersive environment has been around since the late 1800’s but exploratory use and rise in pop culture began with the 1935 movie “Pygmalion’s Spectacles” by Stanley G.Weinbaum.
There has been excitement around virtual reality over the past few years and 2016 has seen a barrage of virtual reality hardware headsets launching from mostly mobile devices. Oculus has been at the forefront of the hardware development of these virtual reality headsets, along with Samsung, but this has not stopped other players from entering the virtual reality market.
In 2016 we VR hardware has broken some technology barriers – lower end headsets like Africard Original Cardboard VR Viewer up too high end Oculus Rift has enabled mobile users to experience the world virtual reality in almost any environment.
I have listed some of my favourite VR headsets that will suit all pockets and budgets:
Africard Original Cardboard VR Viewer
Price: R175
Where to buy: www.takealot.com
Description: Africard gives everyone with a smartphone the ability to watch VR right now – for less than the price of a cinema ticket & popcorn, and gives everyone with a smartphone the ability to have mobile access to VR content curated on our site.
With a clever design inspired by Google Cardboard, the Africard headset has a built in selector button. A magnet slides within its groove, and then automatically slips back into place because of another magnet on the opposite side. Your phone is able to sense the magnet’s movement, and there you have it – a ridiculously clever little selector switch.
Africard Original Cardboard VR Viewer
Samsung Gear VR
Price: R2 883.00
Where to buy: www.geewiz.co.za or Samsung Stores
Description: Samsung was one of the early movers on VR, launching the Gear VR headset, co-developed with Oculus, and designed to support a smartphone, rather than needing a connection to a PC or console.
There have been a couple of versions of Gear VR, supporting a number of different smartphone models from Samsung, with the handsets neatly sliding into the tray at the front. Internally there are lenses to split the display between your eyes and with Samsung’s latest devices offering a high resolution display, this translates into slick visuals.
Samsung Gear VR has been used in a number of commercial settings, such car showrooms, but with Samsung offering a range of content from Oculus, it’s an easy option for those with a Samsung handset.
You’ll need to make sure it’s going to fit your chosen Samsung smartphone, however, with the newly launched Galaxy S7 and S7 edge devices claimed to be best. Gear VR opens the door to mobile devices, but you’ll need to supply the Samsung smartphone.
Samsung Gear VR
Homido
Price: R 1016
Description: Homido is 100% 3D compatible, allowing you to watch your favourite 3D movies. The binocular vision mode of the headset and the two VR lenses offer a perfect stereoscopic experience.Watch 360 degree spherical videos. This is Homido’s most impressive feature. When watching 360 degree content you can immerse yourself in the virtual environment and look around in all directions.
Homido is a wireless device, your Smartphone is used to give you total freedom of movement.
The distance between the two lenses can be adjusted to adapt to your eyes.
Homido
Tuff-Luv
Price: R 575
Description: The Universal 3D Virtual Reality Headset from Tuffluv is made for both Android and iPhone models (fourth to sixth generation models). You can search for “3D split screen” to find suitable videos to play. The better your phone is at playing the videos the better the 3D effect will be. Higher resolutions and processor speeds will improve the quality.
The device comes with a flexible headband adjustment, phone attached by vacuum sucker and supports 4″ to 6″ inch mobile phones – iPhone 5, 6 Samsung S5 S6 HTC one.
Tuff-Luv
SensofinityVR
Price: R499
Description: The SensonfinityVR headset is another model which comes with a relatively high build quality. The headset caters to iPhone and Android users. The device comes with adjustable lenses and head strap and cinematic wide view.
SensofinityVR
Virtual Reality 
I recently heard that events companies and arhitects are going to use the Oculus Tech to demo their design mock ups. VR is a relaity even is SA.
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100% I have seen this as well, the design and layout of building as well as urban areas will benefit greatly. Possibilities are endless.
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