Hints were leaking out that Oculus was getting ready to release the new Oculus Go stand-alone VR headset today as product pages were popping up all over on places like Amazon and Best Buy. The rumors were true as it just launched a few minutes ago and can be found via some of your favorite retail outlets
The new headset doesn’t require to be connected to any hardware (like a computer or gaming console) as it operates all on its own, which is a big step forward compared to having to be tethered down by cables like every model before it (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Playstation VR, etc). You no longer have to slide your phone into a hole or worry about getting tangled up as you bounce around with it.
It isn’t the flagship VR solution on the market when it comes to features and performance, but it does rock a 2560×1440 resolution (1280×1440 per side/eye), packs a Snapdragon 821 processor inside, and comes to you at a price that takes everyone by force. Starting at only $199, this is not only the most affordable VR solution on the market at this time, it is also the most user-friendly. You can easily get your hands on a cheap headset for your phone, but if you’re looking for a comparable display and processor to stick inside, you are still dishing out a lot of money for a nice phone that goes with it. At $199, it makes it quite difficult to beat using your standard smartphone alternatives, and chances are the Oculus Go will weigh a bit less on top of it all.
The $199 price tag covers the 32GB model, with a 64GB option coming in at $249. You have the ability to fill this space up with over 1,000 apps, games and more, from the Oculus Store.
They feature speakers that are integrated into the headset itself (the strap guides), helping to reduce weight and the number of things you have to wrap around your head. This also makes it easier to take the headset on and off, or pass it to the person next to you. Given, it might not be the best audio you have ever seen, the user-friendliness is there. Thankfully the Oculus Go does offer a headphone jack so that you can use your own headphones if you feel you aren’t getting the audible immersion you were hoping for.
The headset charges via a micro-USB port and connects online to the Oculus Store via Wi-Fi–although an iOS or Android device is required for the initial setup (you can also browse the store and play with settings from the app as well).
