Microsoft previously announced that it is working with several hardware-focused partners to bring virtual/mixed reality experiences to Windows 10 in the coming future. The first headset to be born out of Microsoft’s initiative appears like it is going to be coming from Acer, who recently announced that it will begin shipping units to developers this month. Other manufacturers expected to release headsets in conjunction with Microsoft include Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo.
Perhaps most interestingly, Acer and the other manufacturer’s headsets are expected to feature inside-out tracking. Inside-out tracking will allow the devices themselves to be able to determine where they are located in a room without the need of external sensors like those required by current versions of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
While it will be interesting to see whether first generation inside-out tracking will be able to deliver similar accuracy to a more traditional sensor setup, inside-out tracking becoming the future of virtual reality and augmented reality seems inevitable once the technology is ready. Regardless, it is exciting to see Microsoft and the Windows platform itself continue to double-down on mixed reality and other similar technologies.