Speck today announced the official launch of its Pocket-VR accessory, a collapsible, portable virtual reality headset designed to be compatible with its line of Candyshell Grip cases. The Pocket-VR was created using Google's Cardboard VR specs, so it is able to display content created for Cardboard.
The Pocket-VR, made of black plastic, comes with a black and gray CandyShell Grip smartphone case, which it snaps over to create a virtual reality viewing experience on the go. When not in use, the Pocket-VR's retractable side panels fold flat, allowing the accessory to be carried easily in a pocket. Speck is offering the Pocket-VR for the iPhone 6 and 6s only, which is not compatible with larger iPhone 6 and 6s Plus models.
Speck's CandyShell Grip case can be used even when the Pocket-VR is stowed away, offering full military-grade drop protection for an iPhone. It includes a raised bezel to protect the screen and it has raised rubber ridges for a solid grip.
The Pocket-VR can be purchased from the Speck website for $69.95.
Top Rated Comments
Joking aside. Seems innovative though.
VR has been promised for decades, and we are finally at the point where it can work. We have cheap devices for quick fix video content and simple games, and we have big feature rich implementations like the Vive. But most importantly we have a lot of content being created.
The Best VR Headset is the One You Have With You.
Weird. Looks awesome on my 6+. Not that different. Your standards for cheap VR may vary, which is fine—but I don't see the "screen door" unless I look for it—and more pixels would tax the CPU harder. True pocket VR is here and it's awesome, but it's going to be a trade-off in some ways. Darned physics.
People were blown away by the first Oculus Rift which was WAY lower res than an iPhone. And now you have it in your pocket, running iOS! Not bad.
The biggest difference isn't the hardware, it's the software: one app can be terrific on a given device, another can be a laggy mess. I recommend Google Street View, YouTube, and Proton Pulse as fun iPhone VR apps.
I'm very interested in the Vive, but...
a) You are tangled and tethered to a roomful of other gear.
b) $900.
Apples and oranges. Mobile VR isn't just absurdly cheap, it's actually better in specific ways.
(As for Samsung's Cardboard-alike, it's cool and I support the endeavor. But not for the price and being limited to a single phone--lacking Metal performance--that you won't keep forever. You can get a strapped Cardboard headset for way cheaper.)
Excellent question. It seems unlikely that you'd be the only one. There are SO many people in the world.
But we'll probably never know, because nobody would actually spend their time posting "I don't care about this story." They wouldn't even get past the headline, surely.