Gadgetory

the initial wave of Windows mixed reality headsets are here and the first one I'm getting to play with extensively is a sirs model called the Acer Windows mix reality headset think of this as a simplified version of a VR headset when the costless works on a wider range of computers and doesn't need you to set up tracking cameras or sensors that's because it uses front mounted cameras to keep track of where you are and where you're moving so you can interact with the virtual world and you don't crash into a wall the experience with the Acer headset which is $399 with a pair of handheld controllers isn't a slick and immersive feeling as an oculus rift or an HTC vive but setting up the hardware along a pain point for VR was quick and easy I also like that the visor part flips up so you can take a quick reality break when needed the biggest problem is that there's not a lot to do in the Windows mix reality universe right now there's a bunch of 360 degree video players and a handful of games already available on other VR platforms like space pirate trainer and really not much else there is a new halo themed free app called halo recruit but it's literally just shooting some flat targets it's hard to feel ripped off by a free app but halo recruits somehow manages that what I did like was the Frank Lloyd Wright style cliff house that serves as the main menu in there you can also watch videos in a home theater room or play around with a bunch of 3d models ever want to take a 3d model of a creepy animated mime and make them 20 feet tall well now you can seriously that was really creepy there's one other elephant in the room when these windows mix reality headsets were first announced $399 seemed like a great price since then the oculus rift with its own handheld controllers has dropped its price - you guessed it 399 and I can't see why anyone with a computer that could handle the extra graphics horsepower the rift needs wouldn't just get that instead