The organizers of Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) released the latest iteration, version 1.2 of its Hacker Development kit, alongside a software update that has extended support beyond Windows and Linux to accommodate Android devices.
The new development kit now features 360-degree head tracking, made possible with the included IR camera. The IR tracking kit is available as an upgrade for all existing Dev kit 1.0 and 1.1 owners, and will be available for $129 starting in July. The new kits are shipping now to select developers, and will be available for order in July as well, for $299.
In addition to the IR kit, a number of upgrades will be made available. The OSVR Leap Motion faceplate features Leap Motion's hand tracking technology embedded right into the faceplate of the headset, and the mobile faceplate will allow a wide range of Android-based devices to be mounted into the headset, similar to Samsung's Gear VR kit.
An Ultra Wide field of view kit will also be made available on the OSVR website. These optics have been designed by Wearality and feature a 150-degree field of view. The new set of optics will be available for all versions of the OSVR Hacker dev kit, regardless of the faceplate installed.
The latest version of OSVR software now supports Android devices. OSVR claimed this will allow for cross compatibility between mobile and standard VR content. Direct support for external VRPN servers is now available. An update was made to the Windows installer that now installs all run-time resources for supporting any OSVR game or application in one click, and some additional support documentation has been added to help facilitate porting Unity and Unreal Engine 4 content.
In addition to the hardware and software updates, OSVR also announced that another 22 partners have joined the coalition, bringing the grand total to 144 companies together in support of OSVR standards, and working together for that common goal.
The new partners range from game development studios such as MAG Studios, to software developers such as Cineveo, to display companies such as Coretronic Corporation, and even the aforementioned optics company Wearality has joined the group.
OSVR is not currently taking orders for dev kits, though you can register your interest here and be notified once orders begin.
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