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Oculus Rift consumer headset to support Android devices [updated]

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UPDATE: “We will be delivering a single Oculus Rift.” That quote is from Oculus VR CEO Brendan Iribe, speaking to Engadget in response to recent reports that the company’s consumer launch of the virtual reality headset would include two devices, one for PC and one for Android. In truth, the plan all along has been to release one device… it’s just going to feature built-in support for PC operating systems as well as mobile.

The lone consumer Rift will act as “a tether to multiple different devices,” Iribe said, adding, “and now we’re looking to also support tethering to a mobile device.” This doesn’t mean there won’t ever be a mobile-only take on the Rift, it’s just further off. Iribe had plenty to say about where Oculus VR is right now and how plans are shaping up, so be sure to head over to Engadget to check out the full report.

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ORIGINAL POST: Oculus VR’s still-in-development Oculus Rift virtual reality headset isn’t ready for consumers yet, but that hasn’t stopped the rapidly growing company from admitting that it’s developing an Android-friendly little brother for the new tech. Confirmation came from Oculus VR CEO Brandon Iribe during his keynote talk at the GamesBeat 2013 video game conference (via VentureBeat).

The Android Rift will be a smaller, lighter take on the headset that we’ve seen so far, and it’ll be built to run off the connected mobile device’s processor. Iribe added that the plan is for both headsets to launch simultaneously (or close to that), though there’s still no clarity on when the consumer Oculus is coming. Many expect a 2014 delivery, but that’s in no way confirmed. The mobile Rift is going to Android only because iOS presents certain problems, though it’s not clear what. 

Iribe went on to suggest that recent chief technology officer hire John Carmack is responsible for the shift toward mobile support. “We have some exciting plans on the mobile VR side as the PC VR side,” Iribe said. “We’re really looking at hitting the consumer market. We’re very excited about what we’re seeing. Skeptical about how good mobile VR could be on such a small platform. It’s pretty incredible what [John Carmack has] been able to do.”

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Adam Rosenberg
Adam Rosenberg
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