Rumor: Oculus Rift Public Beta Arrives Next Year

News
By
published

Unnamed sources have informed TechRadar that Oculus VR may launch a public beta of the Oculus Rift in April 2015, the same time period Windows 9 "Threshold" is scheduled to appear. Like Google Glass, Oculus Rift will supposedly roll out in limited quantities. However, there's a possibility the beta may not arrive until Summer 2015.

According to the report, Oculus VR plans to handle distribution internally and will allow a set number of Rift units to be sold in the initial launch. The company is looking to receive feedback from retailers and consumers alike before the headset goes full retail.

So how much will the Oculus Rift cost? Oculus VR co-founder Nate Mitchell recently said the consumer version will cost between $200 and $400. Keep in mind that the current developer kit (version 2) costs $350, and that includes the little camera that keeps a watchful eye on your movements. That could mean the consumer version may be slightly cheaper… we hope, anyway.

Unfortunately, unless Oculus VR comes right out and spills all the scheduling beans, take this latest report as a bag of rumors. The company wouldn't provide a comment to TechRadar, and Tom's Hardware was given a "no comment."

There's a lot of excitement surrounding the Oculus Rift, and for good reason. We were dazzled by the headset back at CES 2013 and since then have been taken aback by its awesomeness during each new experience. The Rift headset has matured from a mind-blowing experience to one that leaves you speechless. Like you, we can't wait to see a consumer version in our hands.

Follow Kevin Parrish @exfileme. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Kevin Parrish
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • CaedenV
    Woo!
    Pretty exciting to see this tech move forward! A public beta early in 2015 may mean a finished product before the end of the year. I'll probably sit out until a v2 or v3 product (only so much money and time for toys these days), but the sooner we see a launch, the sooner I will get to jump in.
    Reply
  • Morbus
    Facebook gimmick.

    Do not want.
    Reply
  • skit75
    I tried on the DK1 this past weekend. I was curious as to how it would handle wearing glasses at the same time. My current pair of glasses has variable focal points which led me to see pixelation(pixels) at the edges of my vision.
    That being said, it was still convincing enough for me to begin feeling very nauseous on a carnival ride demo. I had to remove them after less than 3 minutes "inside" as I was turning green.
    Reply
  • universal remonster
    I have a DK2 pre ordered that is scheduled to ship this month.. Can't wait to try it out!
    Reply
  • leeb2013
    the consumer version will cost between $200 and $400........so that means $600-800 in Australia!
    Reply
  • cypeq
    I only wander if they will ever commit to releasing a product... devkits... now beta... it's not the piece of software. They look to me like they only try legally distance themselves from potentially unhappy customers.
    Reply
  • hoofhearted
    Can't wait to get up close with my Farmville crops!
    Reply
  • icemunk
    My buddy has the DK2, it's amazing... I can't to see what's next!
    Reply
  • logan316
    I know they are pushing because Samsung and Sony are looking to release versions of
    VR head device. I personally feel Occulus doesn't need to rush it. Have the software and games etc available to support the experience. There are companies that have done similar devices but the reason they fail or didn't sell was mainly due to software/support. I personally can't wait for the experience, but it must be done right. If all it ends up being is a monitor over your eyes it will fail. It has to...how do you say "put you in the game." Not expecting it to be jobe from the movie lawn mower man, but you get the idea.
    Reply
  • qlum
    I still find it a shame that it doesn't look like oculus will be getting any direct competition on pc, sony just moves to the ps4 for support and Samsung just sits on mobile. I feel like VR could come of the ground far better if there where multiple manufacturers and open standards by which the sets would comply for compatibility's sake.
    Reply