From all the announcements and news reports in 2017 it seemed fairly certain that 2018 would be the year of the standalone headset, a virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) with all the tech built in, no need for phones or long trailing wires. It may only be March but as yet nothing has arrived, sure the Vive Focus has launched in China but that’s no good when you’re in Europe or the US. But it looks like there won’t be to long to wait for the Lenovo Mirage Solo, as a new pre-order listing notes an expected release date of 11th May.
B&H Photo has now listed the Lenovo Mirage Solo for $399.99 USD, via Ubergizmo, with expected availability being 11th May 2018 – for North America at least. While Lenovo had already spoken about a $400 price point, an actual release date had never been specified, merely ‘mid-2018’. While the date is certainly no confirmation from Lenovo itself, B&H is a big enough retailer for it to be correct. Plus there’s the added timing of Google’s annual I/O developer conference which runs from 8th to 10th May, 2018.
The Lenovo Mirage Solo will be the first standalone headset using Google’s Daydream platform, with built-in ‘WorldSense’ inside-out tracking technology that allows wearers to wander around without bumping into things. Additional specs include: 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 5.5-inch LCD display with 1280 x 1440 pixels per eye with a 75Hz refresh rate, 110 degree field-of-view (FoV), approximately seven hours of battery life, all run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.
During CES 2018 VRFocus got its hands on the headset for a brief look at the design, finding it to be well made and comfortable, although the constrained surroundings of the event did limit the testing of the WorldSense technology.
As mentioned, the Lenovo Mirage Solo isn’t the only standalone headset that’s going to hit the market in 2018. Oculus Go is reportedly launching in ‘Spring 2018’, although that doesn’t have inside-out tracking and will retail from $199. Then there’s Chinese company Pico, with its Goblin headset currently on the market and its flagship product, the Pico Neo supporting Vive Focus’ Vive Wave platform. Whatever happens, as further details on the headsets are released, VRFocus will keep you updated.
via Mint VR