Samsung Announces HMD Odyssey VR Headset, Acer Opens Windows Mixed Reality Headset Preorders

by Brandon Hill — Tuesday, October 03, 2017, 03:33 PM EDT

Microsoft is on the verge of unleashing the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and alongside that major OS update will be the launch of Windows Mixed Reality headsets. We've talked about these virtual reality/augmented reality headsets on numerous occasions, but now OEMs are ramping up preorders to coincide with the October 17^th launch of the Fall Creators Update.

The latest OEM to open preorders is Acer, with its dryly named "Windows Mixed Reality Headset". Acer says that its Head Mounted Display (HMD) works straight out of the box with Windows Mixed Reality-ready PCs, supports six degrees of freedom, and comes equipped with a 13-foot cable to give you more freedom when navigating virtual worlds. In addition, the dual 2.89-inch display screens within the 1.34-pound HMD provide a resolution of 1440x1440 to each eye at up 90Hz.

Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset

“Mixed reality may usher in one of the biggest transformations of our time. Acer is thrilled to be a part of this revolution by bringing our customers this intuitive and exciting way to experience an alternate world with our mixed reality headsets,” said Eric Ackerson, Acer America senior manager, product marketing and brand management. “Mixed reality offers a plethora of fun and engaging content that is continually evolving. It promises to shape our lives in profound ways in the years to come with its potential for new and more immersive means to learn, collaborate, work and play.”

Acer's Windows Mixed Reality Headset is available for preorder right now for $399, and comes bundled with two wireless motion controllers. The set will ship on October 17^th.

Samsung HMD Odyssey

In other news Windows Mixed Reality news, Samsung has pulled the wraps off its own headset: the HMD Odyssey. The HDM Odyssey raises the bar for Windows Mixed Reality headsets with dual 3.5-inch AMOLED displays with a resolution of 1440x1600 each. The HMD also includes integrated AKG 360 headphones with spatial surround sound, a 110-degree field of view, and can be paired with two Microsoft wireless motion controllers.

"Samsung is committed to working across platforms to build cutting-edge technology, and we’re excited to partner with Microsoft to shape the future of virtual reality," said Alanna Cotton, Vice President and General Manager, Samsung Electronics America. "But most of all, we can’t wait for you to take the Samsung HMD Odyssey out for a spin, and see it for yourself.”

The Samsung HMD Odyssey is priced at the higher end of the Windows Mixed Reality spectrum at $499, which is to be expected with its upmarket feature set.

Tags: Microsoft, Acer, Windows 10, (nasdaq:msft), windows mixed reality, fall creators update, samsung hmd odyssey

Brandon Hill

Brandon received his first PC, an IBM Aptiva 310, in 1994 and hasn’t looked back since. He cut his teeth on computer building/repair working at a mom and pop computer shop as a plucky teen in the mid 90s and went on to join AnandTech as the Senior News Editor in 1999. Brandon would later help to form DailyTech where he served as Editor-in-Chief from 2008 until 2014. Brandon is a tech geek at heart, and family members always know where to turn when they need free tech support. When he isn’t writing about the tech hardware or studying up on the latest in mobile gadgets, you’ll find him browsing forums that cater to his long-running passion: automobiles.

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