As impressive and fun VR headsets are, there remains one annoying thing about them - cables. But that issue will soon become extinct, thanks to advancements in wireless technology.
Valve Corp., an American company involved in video game development and distribution, believes wireless technology is on its way to the VR industry. As a matter of fact, one such device is already here - the TPCast. The $249 wireless adapter is just one of the possible "add-on kits" that could turn existing VR headsets such as the HTC Vive into wireless devices.
The founder of Valve, Gabe Newell, pointed out that the wire issues with current high-end VR headsets are basically "a solved problem at this point". During a talk with developers at the Valve headquarters in Bellevue, WA, Newell indicated that the wireless solution will be available this year as an add-on while it will be integrated into the device - perhaps the HTC Vive 2 - by 2018.
Venture Beat recognized that VR users have long complained about those annoying cable as it hinders their movements and their ability to fully enjoy the virtual reality experience. With those cables gone, expect more people to patronize these devices as they become more comfortable playing with them.
Newell admitted that going wireless is not yet the solution to make headsets work with augmented reality. In AR, digital images interact with the real world which is a process too complicated for current VR headsets.
UploadVR reported that Newell also indicated in the Seattle press conference that the company has thought of bringing virtual reality from a room-scale to house-scale experience. This means VR headset users can move from one room to another as they play in their houses. This concept will be made even better by the fact that cables will be a thing of the past.
