Apple (NASDAQ: APPL) has in its patent library a smartphone-based VR headset, nearly identical to Samsung’s (KRX: 005935) Gear VR headset.

While it may seem that Apple is trying to beat Samsung to the punch in patenting a smartphone-based VR headset, this is actually not the case. According to Apple Insider, Apple actually filed a patent for such a device in 2008. US Patent No 8,957,835, filed in September 2008 and granted February 17, 2015, describes a “head-mounted device that is worn on a user’s head and configured to integrate with a removable portable electronic device.”

“For example, a user may couple a personal electronic device, such as the iPod … available from Apple Inc of Cupertino, Calif, or the iPhone … also available from Apple Inc of Cupertino, Calif, to the head-mounted device via a cable or wire,” the filing reads.

As you can see from the illustrations, the headset has a separate hand-held controller that looks like an older iPod unit.

What are Apple’s intentions?

For its part, Apple has not shown much of an interest in the emerging virtual reality market. While other consumer electronics companies have made inroads to developing their own headsets and supporting ecosystem the same can’t be said from Apple.

It could be that at one time Apple was exploring developing such a device, but plans were killed at the executive level. In response to press inquiries about Apple’s VR ambitions, the company has said that it not everything it patents will go to market.

A more cynical analysis of the situation might be that Apple sensed the coming VR wave and decided to expand its patent library before its competitors to bring products to market with hopes launching patent related lawsuits against them. However, courts are becoming more hostile to companies that choose to patent troll so this may not be the most likely scenario.

The post Apple Patented a Smartphone-Based VR Headset — in 2008 appeared first on VR World.

The new Samsung (KRX:000830) VR headset add-on for use with only its Galaxy Note 4 has arrived for sale on Samsung’s store for $199.99.  The device is power by Oculus-driven software to provide an immersive virtual reality experience using the Note 4 Super AMOLED display and the device itself to run the software.

Samsung stirred up a lot of talk earlier this year with the announcement that it was going to have an add-on for the Galaxy Note 4 that would make the pair a VR headset.  The Samsung Gear VR Innovator edition just popped up on the store for sale at Samsung’s website.  The good news is that this is only a $199.99 investment for those who already have a Galaxy Note 4.  The bad news for those who want to try it out and do not already own a Galaxy Note 4, is that the Gear VR  will only work with the Note 4.  This add-on most definitely will help to get more people buying the Note 4 than would if there wasn’t the Gear VR add-on.  This is a good move by Samsung for not only helping to drive VR innovation, but also to help its bottom line.  The Gear VR has access to Oculus store to have access to a fresh supply of ever growing content.

The Gear VR Innovator Edition comes with the headset, a carrying case, a replacement face cushion, a lens cloth, 16GB microSD memory card with the starter content pre-loaded, SD card adapter, user manual, and the warranty statement.  The controls that the headset has are a touchpad, a dedicated back button, focus adjustment wheel, volume keys, and a phone lock button.

Right now for those who purchase the Gear VR Innovator Edition there is two coupon codes to help get a discount for accessories.  The Samsung Gamepad is $30 off with the coupon code STAVR1, and the Samsung Gear Circle headset is $20 off with the coupon code STAVR2.

The post Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition On Sale Now appeared first on VR World.

Apple (NASDAQ: APPL) fans that want a virtual reality headset will no longer have to suffice with just strapping a iPad to their face, as the company appears to be hiring for a proper push into the VR space.

According to a job posting first spotted by Mashable, Apple is in the process of hiring an App Engineer that will specialize in creating “high performance apps that integrate with Virtual Reality systems for prototyping and user testing.”

While Apple does have patents in its library for a VR headset, it does not appear that such a device is close to production yet. Apple’s supply chain is notoriously leaky, as the constant rumors and leaks on the iPhone 6 have shown, so if something was in production we would have known about it for quite some time. Historically speaking, Apple is not a fan of hardware partnerships so it’s unlikely that the company would be opening up iOS to compatibility with other vendor’s equipment.

It might be that Apple is simply exploring the issue and would like an experienced hand to help develop mockups to explore the potential feasibility of building such a device. The iWatch, after all, had a protracted development cycle with a release that’s still not confirmed. Expect the same for any VR device coming from Apple.

The post Apple Getting Into The VR Market? appeared first on VR World.

Tt eSPORTS just released its newest headset, the VERTO which is going to get a closer look today.  The headset brings another unique model to the large line that Tt eSPORTS has currently.   The VERTO offers a design with nice lines, a secure fit, decent sound isolation, pleasing mids to highs, and a fulfilling low end.

In an ever growing field of gaming headsets, it may be hard to choose the one that will be the best for your needs.  Tt eSPORTS knows this and has a huge line of gaming headsets at various price points and feature sets, each with a different unique style.  The VERTO is brand new, just going for sale at Newegg and Amazon within the last day.  The headset is more of a subtle design that most of the others the company currently has in its lineup.  It definitely has a striking design with its lines and attention to detail in the build quality.  It is an over the ear headset that will be more comfortable for those who don’t like on ear headsets.  Sound Isoltaion is also helped with the over the ear design and the incorporation of the protein leather ear cups.  The left ear cup has a permanently attached microphone boom that tucks nicely against the ear cup for when it is not in use.  The headband and parts holding the ear cups are made out of stainless steel that looks and feels powder coated.

The Verto comes in a nicely illustrated box with the headset’s features and technical specification detailed on the back of the package.  Inside the headset is seated in vacuum formed plastic keeping it snugly in place while being shipped.  The VERTO comes with a carrying bag that is made of a pleather-like material and two cables.  The 3 meter PC cable has 3.5mm audio and microphone plugs, with integrated volume control and microphone mute function in the cable.  The second cable is a 1 meter mobile cable that will allow use of the audio and microphone with a mobile device.  It is worth noting that the cables were definitely over the stated lengths which was a pleasant surprise.  Also the  quality of the cable sleeving in both of the cables and the headset was immediately visible.

Included are a carrying bag, mobile headset cable, PC cable, and booklet .

The post Tt eSPORTS VERTO: A Well Rounded Headset appeared first on VR World.

Today SteelSeries announced a refresh of its Siberia headset family.

The new models are as follows:

The Siberia v3 (MSRP $99.99), which replaces the Siberia v2. The v3 includes updated and improved audio drivers, as well as a headset redesign which utilizes noise-reducing memory foam ear cushions. The v3 has a single-plug cable along with a dual-jack extension to allow the v3 to be used with PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. The Siberia v3 will be available in black or white.

The Siberia v3 Prism (MSRP $139.99) is an upgraded version of the standard v3, which adds the performance and style features available in the SteelSeries Engine (software interface). The features include unlimited profile settings that can be accessed anywhere using SteelSeries CloudSync, microphone noise suppression and auto compression to optimize voice communication, digital audio quality using a custom EQ, and ColorShift illumination effects that can be customized by the user.

The Siberia Elite Prism (MSRP $199.99) is a replacement (upgrade) to the Siberia Elite. It utilizes a slimmer microphone and upgraded sound card to improve voice and audio quality. The ear cushions have also been tweaked to improve long term comfort.

Finally, the Siberia RAW Prism (MSRP $59.99) is a new addition to the SteelSeries Siberia family. It comes in at a more affordable price point and is described as “an economical gaming headset with a lightweight design and comfort level worthy of the Siberia brand.” The Siberia RAW Prism will utilize the SteelSeries Engine to allow the user to customize audio profiles and illumination options. The RAW Prism operates using a USB connection.

More details about the SteelSeries Siberia family can be seen on their site here.

The post SteelSeries Announces New Siberia Headsets appeared first on VR World.

Improved Siberia Elite World of Warcraft Edition

SteelSeries introduced a new and improved Siberia Elite headset, the World of Warcraft Edition for Warlords of Draenor. The WoW edition headset includes improvements such as a new microphone, boosted speaker drivers, and increased comfort.

According to SteelSeries CTO Tino Soelberg:

Our partnership with Blizzard Entertainment to create unique gear for the World of Warcraft community has culminated in this bold new version of our premium and award-winning headset—a perfect complement to Blizzard’s upcoming Warlords of Draenor expansion. Players deserve the best quality audio to experience the music and sounds of Draenor; this exclusive edition of the Siberia Elite headset delivers epic audio quality in a beautiful World of Warcraft-themed design.

The styling of the headset has also been modified to include World of Warcraft branding on the top of the headband and sides of each earcup, as well as illuminated runes on the earcups.

In addition to the improvements mentioned above, the Siberia Elite World of Warcraft Edition will have the same great features, excellent audio quality, and the superb SteelSeries Engine 3 software as the regular edition Siberia Elite headset. We’ll be taking a look at the Siberia Elite headset in an upcoming review, but so far our experience with it has been very positive. The same can be expected of the new WoW edition headset.

The SteelSeries Siberia Elite World of Warcraft Edition Headset is now available for pre-order from SteelSeries at an MSRP of $209.99.

The post SteelSeries Introduces Siberia Elite World of Warcraft Edition Headset appeared first on VR World.

SteelSeries has announced that they will be creating a new line of peripherals themed to go with The Sims 4. The peripherals will include a mouse, headset, and QCK mousepad with the signature all white with a green gem styling for the headset and mouse while the mousepad will feature artwork from the game. For more information, click here.

As you can tell from the image above, the SteelSeries Sims 4 mousepad carries a promotional graphic of the games various potential characters as well as EA’s MAXIS and SteelSeries’ logos. Below, you can see the headset with the green and orange diamond covered ear cups, capitalizing on The Sims’ easily recognizable icon.

The post SteelSeries Creating New Peripheral for The Sims 4 appeared first on VR World.