Vive Unveils New Wireless, Standalone VR Headset

One of the major hurdles virtual reality headsets have to contend with are their reliance on external hardware--be it a PC, PS4, or phone--and the ample number of wires that are involved. A new Vive headset aims to address those concerns.

As revealed today at the Google I/O conference, Google has announced a new Vive headset that uses Daydream, Google's VR platform that launched last year. It's a standalone headset, meaning you don't have to connect it to a PC or any other device, which comes with the added benefit of being wireless.

"Everything you need for the best portable VR is built right into the headset," a post on the Vive blog explains. It adds, "Vive's standalone VR headset will provide a deeper and more immersive portable VR experience than ever before."

The headset uses WorldSense, which Google says allows for "precise movement tracking. Lean, dodge, and duck as you wish."

Details are still light, with more to be announced "soon." The blog post claims, "[R]est assured, it will be simple, easy-to-use and with no cables to connect. Just pick it up, put it on and be fully immersed in your new reality."

As for how well it will work or how it compares to existing VR headsets, we don't yet know. Similarly, a price was not shared, but it stands to reason that it won't be cheap when it launches later this year. We'll report back as more details are shared.