Sony, Valve and the other contenders in the race for wearable computing

Andy Robinson: Augmented and virtual reality gaming has emerged as the next possible technological landmark in the games business.

With Valve, id Software and today Sony coming up with their own prototypes, the future of gaming looks like it may not involve TV sets but instead wearable computing.

But which looks most promising? In today's Daily Digest we examine the most promising contenders in the head-mounted display market.

[Dunpeal]

wait they don't wanna fully commit to full 1080p gaming but all of a sudden its wearable computers now? gtfo

[edgeofsins]

They do want to commit to full 1080p. They are working on that right now for the next consoles.

Sony works on many things with different departments.

[Dunpeal]

i'll believe it when i see it across the board, but I hope you're right

[BitbyDeath]

Think i prefer Googles version thus far -

http://www.treknews.net/wp-...

Less bulky

[G33K]

Sony will beat Valve at wearable computing.

[edgeofsins]

If Valve released a great wearable computer then they might skyrocket. They have a huge reliable fanbase that would be into that kind of thing. Sony has had shaky sales on so many things even though they have great price and value on some things. I don't understand why people are deterring from Sony the past few years.

[Bathyj]

Screw this. I want a metal spike rammed into a bottlecap in the back on my head for direct downloading.

[Bowzabub]

LoL.. Plug in like Neo.

[bothebo]

Yeah.... not into the whole head gear crap.

[Gridloc]

How is this a race, since Sony already released the HMZ-T1 this year? Not the best review scores but at least it exists and is for sale.

[edgeofsins]

Yes if you hooked it up to a computer but what they mean is a computer and a monitor for your eyes all in one. Definitely possible. If Android devices and Apple devices fit so much power in tiny form factors it will totally have a lot of potential. I hope it works out great. I can't wait for their OLED technology to have a really cool device release with it. Glasses using that would be sweet if done right.

[Gridloc]

What if Sony implemented their Gaikai service? Could it then become portable with wifi and 3g? Not very safe to be walking around but a true possibility?

[USEYOURFIST]

The HMZ-T1 is not the same that is just a 3d display unit..the oculus rift, Valve and the other new sony one are Augmented reality headsets so they have head tracking and other sensors along with a wide field of view(move your eyes left ect and there is still screen not just black) designed to put you in the game

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

Woah can you imagine playing Portal 3 with some clunky goggles covering your face :D

Awesome >_<
Can somebody say migraines?

[specialguest]

For those who don't know...unlike Sony, Valve does not own the Oculus Rift. They're just the biggest endorser of the device and are working with the prototype to further help develop it for future gaming.

The Oculus Rift if it works according to John Carmack's vision will be the closes thing to a VR experience done right and affordable. The final product is said to be priced below $300. The one main feature this HMD needs to improve on is resolution, which Carmack stated will be updated.

The current HMD that Sony have out now is the HMZ-T1. I demoed it at the Sony store and the image is very clear, vivid, and beautiful. Based on the reviews from VR and HMD enthusiast forums, the main complaints with this device are how unbalanced the weight distribution is and how uncomfortable it is to wear. For some people, getting it to position correctly where the image on the display sharply focuses is nearly impossible. The HMZ-t1 is also not a portable device in terms of taking it outside or away from the distance to the power outlet. There's a big clunky HDMI pass-through box the size of an old cable tv box which has to be plugged into a power outlet.

The latest Sony HMD prototype(HMZ AR) looks to be a upgraded version of the HMZ-t1. I wonder if it will retain its HDMI pass-through box, or if they've decreased it to the size of a palm size box like other HMD devices.

If Sony wants to truly compete with the upcoming HMDs like the Oculus Rift, it's will need to fix its design flaws and figure out a way to stay cost-competitive. The Sony HMZ-t2, a slightly updated version of the HMZ-t1 will be released in Japan in October for $900. Those OLED 720 densely packed pixels per/eye displays are not cheap! Anything above $500 in my opinion will continue to remain an enthusiasts toy and not for the mainstream.

[plmkoh]

The Sony HMZ is only at that price because you get what you pay for: 2 X 720p OLED screens per eye, giving you a true 720p experience. The Oculus Rift, cheap as it may be, is 1280x800 in total and divided by two giving 640x800 per eye.

I agree though, it's matter of market appeal which the Sony HMZ, no matter the tech, has a pricing factor. I have the Sony HMZ, and let me just say that this tech is absolutely awesome, it really is something to try to believe.

[GillHarrison]

Sony's HMZ is just a head mounted display that emulates looking at a large television display, the Oculus Rift and Valve's project are actual VR displays. They include positional head tracking data and a large FOV to give you a true Virtual Reality experience.