A New VR Headset is Funded on Kickstarter
I AM Cardboard, one of the third-party makers of the Google Cardboard, has been developing a new VR headset model called the XG Virtual Reality Headset. It is currently crowdfunded on Kickstarter, and has already exceeded its initial goal of earning $20,000. Let’s have a look at the features of the XG VR headset, and what makes it successful in the Kickstarter funding campaign.
Google Cardboard was a cheap initiative to the VR game. It offers a fun VR experience at a low cost. I AM Cardboard followed this initiative, starting with their very own version of the Cardboard. It is currently listed on their website, selling for as low as $20 for the basic version, and going all the way up to $37 for the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) version which is more durable and is NFC compatible for some smartphones. This company has the XG VR project in line with their other products, and they have outsourced it to Kickstarter for initial funding.
The XG Virtual Reality Headset is a step-up from I AM Cardboard’s cheap cardboard VR gear. Its use of materials and construction is similar to the Samsung Gear VR, yet the price point is much lower. The initial price for the headgear started at just $49, but is already sold out due to public demand. It features a pair of multi-coated lens with three distinct protective layers: a fingerprint-resistant coating, a hardening coat, and an anti-reflective coating. These lens are far more superior for the price of the headset.
The attachment to the face is soft and comfortable thanks to its foam padding, which is also interchangeable. The headset will fit a wide range of smartphone, including the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and most Android smartphones up to the size of the Nexus 6. An elastic headstrap also comes standard, unlike the cheap cardboard VR headsets that only have rubber band attachments to the head.
The design process of the XG headset started with the making of early prototypes that were devised using computer-aided machining to give an accurate feel and dimension to the finished final product. As a result, the XG headset fits most smartphones and is precisely constructed using durable materials. The headset also offers a wider viewing angle at 100 degrees, slightly better than the Gear VR’s 96 degrees field-of-view.
The VR headset has now reached its goal of $20,000 and continues to be crowdfunded until February 28. As of now, the project has earned almost $70,000 with 1,000 backers. The headsets will be shipped to its customers by May 2015.
For more information on the XG Virtual Reality Headset, please visit the following websites:
http://www.imcardboard.com
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1040005785/xg-virtual-reality-headset
http://www.slashgear.com/xg-vr-headset-supports-a-wide-range-of-smartphones-16364988/
