HP teamed up with Valve and Microsoft to launch a new Windows Mixed Reality virtual reality headset, the new Reverb G2. The follow-up to the Reverb G1, the new headset is designed for gamers and brings together improved visuals, audio setup, inputs, and ergonomics for a more immersive Mixed Reality experience. Pre-orders are now live on HP.com today, with pricing set at $599 and a release coming later this fall.
HP claims the Reverb V2 is the world’s highest resolution VR headset. It sports 2,160 x 2,160 resolution per eye, as well as improved LCD lenses. Designed by Valve, the LCD lenses are mura-free, which removes the effect that makes it seem like you’re looking at a virtual image through dirty lenses. The displays still have a similar field of view as the original, but now has improved clarity, contrast, and brightness.
HP also worked with Valve to improve the angular resolution of the panels. There’s a mechanical IPD adjustment dial on the bottom which helps center the lens to your eyes for a more immersive VR experience. HP says it also reduces VR sickness.
Elsewhere, the Reverb V2 features a new face mask cushion. It still has a Velcro step design, but the cushion allows the headset to sit and hold better on a wearer’s face. It still has a 90-degree flip feature which lets wearers flip the headset up like a visor to peek into their real world. Other subtle changes include the cable going from double barrel to single barrel, USB-C for power delivery.
Cables also detach directly inside the headset to be more comfortable during use. Finally, the Reverb V2 no longer has a fabric finish like the Reverb V1, designed to make it easier to clean.
“Between the Valve designed lenses and the new LCD panels, it’s simply an amazing immersive experience this year,” John Ludwig, a lead product manager at HP, said during a virtual press briefing.
As for the input improvements, The Reverb V2 features twice as many cameras as before — going from two to four. This improves the controller tracking from the previous generation, as cameras on the side can now track the natural input with the controllers.
In partnership with Microsoft, HP is introducing a new Windows Mixed Controller for the Reverb V2, which should feel familiar to the ones from other virtual reality headsets. The new controller no longer has a trackpad, and rather has A, B, X, and Y buttons, although the menu and Windows buttons are still there.
“Between the new ergonomic controllers and the extra cameras to track, we’re promising a much more natural and intuitive experience for our customers,” Ludwig said.
With improved audio, HP and Valve have taken the speakers from Valve’s own Valve Index headset and put it in the Reverb G2. The speakers have support for spatial audio and sit 10mm away from the ear for increased comfort. They feature BMR speaker drivers and dual microphones for great bass and response times. The 3.5mm headphone jack from the last generation is removed, however.
HP also worked with Microsoft on the new headset, since Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality platform brings six degrees of freedom for inside-out tracking and a seamless plug-and-play integration into Steam VR.
HP believes the headset can even compete with the Oculus Rift S and says it gets 2.5 times as much resolution per eye, more arm movement tracking, clarity, and higher-quality audio.
“We feel like we’ve built the headset for ultimate immersiveness. VR is doing great and there’s going to be a lot of places people want to use VR in different ways,” Ludwig said.
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.