VR technology, as noted numerous times, has been moving along at a relatively slow pace since it was declared the next insanely great thing. While this might be frustrating for educators who are dreaming of the learning potentials in affordable VR hardware and software, checking in, from time to time, on the state of the art, can provide some relief.
For example, the Oculus Quest is nearing release next month April 2019, but it’s far from the only option out now and “coming soon”. More lists of options here. Apple doesn’t have VR hardware headsets available; but rumors have them working on a very ambitious product for release next year. FWIW; rumors being just rumors.
Yes, we’ve heard VR is just around the corner before. But it’s also true that each year, the VR technology gets better, and the quality of the VR experience goes up for the dollars paid. It seems inevitable that we will see the technology mature, and the price become “affordable”, within our lifetimes. (kidding). We might conclude that the “proof of concept” has been confirmed, and while there’s various improvements and refinements still needed for optimal use, no Law of Physics needs to be repealed to get to the promised land of ubiquitous use.
(Then it will be “on” to some sort of more direct to the optic nerves approach with tons of AI in the mix.)
Many say that the current technology is already “mind-blowing” enough to merit a plunge into VR today. Or maybe wait a bit more. For example, many were amazed at the experience possible with the mobile Oculus Go, which was “only” about $200. But that was last year. This year, it’s been passed on the race track by the upcoming Oculus Quest, in at least some aspects.
The Oculus Quest upgrade from the Oculus Go will cost about twice as much, perhaps $400, but has so-called “6 degrees of freedom”, which is what humans need for “unrestricted travel” in 3D space. (Up Down Front Back Left Right…that’s 6). Being wireless like the Oculus Go, there’s a sort of “take it with anywhere” option.
However, beware of departing from your play space, and running into things IRL! Mashable has a video of a staff member trying an Oculus Quest out in a room not suited to the purpose. There’s a big guy standing just behind the tester, who follows the tester around the room. Hoping no doubt to catch the tester before he crashes into the glass shelves or other damaging objects, unwittingly. Which is one of the reasons there’s also a lot of research and product development in AR ongoing.