Dell's Visor blends real and virtual worlds

Dell has revealed its first attempted at a headset that blends the real and virtual worlds together using Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality platform.

Unlike virtual reality (VR), where you interact with a computer-generated world, Microsoft's Mixed Reality layers a virtual interface over the real world that can be accessed using a headset. This can be used to visualise virtual folders and media in your office or living room, rather than using a conventional computer monitor.

Called the Visor, ZDnet says the headset features two 1,440 x 1,440 resolution displays that give you a 360-degree view of your virtual workspace.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

While VR headsets require an array of external sensors to track your position, the Visor uses onboard sensors to scan the room around you. Only an external computer is needed to power the device.

Dell says it has focused on ensuring the Visor is comfortable by fitting a "smart weight" system that removes pressure from your nose and cheeks. It's also heavily padded and can be adjusted using a thumbwheel on the side of the device.

This means the headset fits "comfortably" around the head and there's "plenty of space inside for those who need glasses", says Alphr.

Joining the headset is a pair of controllers that comes with thumb sticks and haptic feedback. The controllers are monitored by sensors on the headset and therefore do not require wires.

The Visor is only available in the US at the moment, with prices starting at $349.99 (£278) for the headset and $99.99 (£78) for the controllers.

There's no word yet on whether the Visor will make its way to Europe, but more details of the mixed reality headset are expected during Microsoft's keynote tomorrow.