What the Metaverse really is

Getting into VR

Virtual reality is an immersive technology that lets you experience digital worlds as if you were there. Whether you want to play games, watch movies, or explore new places, VR can offer you a variety of experiences that are not possible in the real world.
But to enjoy VR, you need a VR headset, which is a device that you wear on your head and covers your eyes. A VR headset displays images and sounds that match your head movements, creating a sense of presence and immersion. There are many VR headsets on the market, but not all of them are compatible with Steam and Android, which are two popular platforms for VR content. Steam is the most popular marketplace for PC games, which means that it’s also one of the best places to pick up VR games. Android is the operating system that runs on most smartphones, which can also be used as VR devices with the help of some apps.

In this article, we will review some of the best VR headset hardware that supports Steam and Android, and help you choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
The Valve Index is the flagship VR headset from Valve, the company behind Steam. It offers high-end performance, comfort, and features that make it one of the best VR headsets for PC gaming.

Valve Index

The Valve Index has a resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye, a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, and a field of view of 130 degrees. It also has built-in speakers that provide spatial audio, and a front-facing camera that enables passthrough mode. The Valve Index comes with two controllers that have finger tracking, pressure sensors, and haptic feedback. It also requires two base stations that track your position and movement in a room-scale space. The Valve Index is compatible with SteamVR, which means that you can access thousands of VR games and apps on Steam. However, it is not compatible with Android devices. The Valve Index costs $999 for the full kit, which includes the headset, controllers, and base stations. You can also buy them separately if you already have some compatible hardware. The Valve Index requires a powerful PC to run smoothly, so make sure you have the minimum specifications before buying it.

Meta Quest 2

The Meta Quest 2 is the latest standalone VR headset from Meta (formerly Oculus), which is owned by Facebook. It is one of the most affordable and versatile VR headsets on the market, as it does not require a PC or a smartphone to work. The Meta Quest 2 has a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz, and a field of view of 100 degrees. It also has built-in speakers and microphones, and four cameras that enable inside-out tracking and passthrough mode. The Meta Quest 2 comes with two controllers that have touch sensors, triggers, and buttons. It also supports hand tracking, which lets you use your hands as controllers in some apps. The Meta Quest 2 has its own store where you can buy and download VR games and apps, but it can also connect to a PC via a USB cable or wirelessly using Air Link. This way, you can access SteamVR content on your Meta Quest 2.
The Meta Quest 2 costs $299 for the 64 GB version or $399 for the 256 GB version. You also need a Facebook account to use it. The Meta Quest 2 can also work as an Android device if you enable developer mode and install some apps like PhoneVR or iVRy. This way, you can stream PC VR games to your Meta Quest 2 using your smartphone as a hotspot.

Meta Quest 3

If you are looking for a new VR headset that can also offer mixed reality experiences, you might want to check out the Meta Quest 3. This is the latest device from Meta, formerly known as Facebook, and it promises to deliver stunning visuals, immersive audio, and seamless integration with the metaverse. The Meta Quest 3 is an all-in-one headset that does not require a PC or console to run. It has a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset that provides 2.5 times better graphics than the previous Quest 2 model. It also has higher-resolution displays, more RAM, and improved battery life. The Meta Quest 3 can switch between full VR mode and mixed reality mode, which lets you see your physical surroundings and interact with virtual objects. For example, you can play a virtual piano on your coffee table, or watch a movie on a giant screen in your living room. The headset also has a sleeker design that is thinner and lighter than the Quest 2, and it comes with new controllers that do not have tracking rings. The Meta Quest 3 is available in two storage options: 128GB for £479.99 or 512GB for £619.99. You can buy it from various online and physical retailers, such as Meta Store, Amazon, Argos, Currys, and Smyths Toys. The Meta Quest 3 is compatible with hundreds of VR games and apps from the Quest Store, as well as new mixed reality experiences that are being developed by Meta and other creators. If you want to explore the metaverse like never before, the Meta Quest 3 might be the perfect headset for you.

HTC Vive Pro 2

The HTC Vive Pro 2 is another high-end VR headset for PC gaming from HTC, the company that launched the first consumer VR headset in collaboration with Valve. It offers premium performance, comfort, and features that make it one of the best VR headsets for professional use. The HTC Vive Pro 2 has a resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and a field of view of 120 degrees. It also has built-in speakers and microphones with noise cancellation, and dual cameras that enable passthrough mode.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 comes with two controllers that have touchpads, triggers, buttons, and haptic feedback. It also requires two base stations that track your position and movement in a room-scale space. The HTC Vive Pro 2 is compatible with SteamVR, which means that you can access thousands of VR games and apps on Steam. If you are looking for a VR headset that can work with both Steam and Android, you have a few options to choose from. Steam is the most popular platform for PC VR games, and it supports a wide range of headsets thanks to OpenVR, a universal software solution. Android is the operating system for many smartphones, and some of them can be used as VR devices with the help of apps and drivers. Here are some of the VR headset hardware that is currently available and supports Steam and Android.

VR Headset Lineup

– Valve Index: This is the flagship VR headset from Valve, the company behind Steam. It offers high-end features such as 144Hz refresh rate, 130-degree field of view, finger-tracking controllers, and off-ear speakers. It requires a powerful PC and SteamVR base stations to run. It costs $999 for the full kit.

– Meta Quest 2: This is a standalone VR headset from Meta (formerly Facebook), which means it does not need a PC or a phone to work. It has a high-resolution display, inside-out tracking, touch controllers, and built-in speakers. It can access the Meta Store and App Lab for VR apps and games, as well as SideQuest for unofficial content. It can also connect to a PC via a USB cable or wirelessly using Air Link to play SteamVR games. It costs $299 for the 128GB version.

– HTC Vive Pro 2: This is an upgraded version of the HTC Vive Pro, which was one of the first VR headsets to support SteamVR. It has a 5K resolution display, 120Hz refresh rate, 120-degree field of view, and external tracking with SteamVR base stations and controllers. It also supports wireless adapter for untethered VR experience. It costs $799 for the headset only, or $1399 for the full kit.

– Pimax 8K X: This is a premium VR headset from Pimax, a Chinese company that specializes in wide field of view VR devices. It has an 8K resolution display, 75Hz refresh rate, 200-degree field of view, and external tracking with SteamVR base stations and controllers. It also supports modular accessories such as eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and wireless adapter. It costs $1299 for the headset only, or $1799 for the full kit.

– Smartphone VR: If you have an Android smartphone with OpenGL-ES 3.0 or above, you can use it as a VR device with some apps and drivers. For example, you can download iVRy app for Android or iOS, and iVRy driver for SteamVR on your PC. Then you can launch the app on your phone and iVRy Driver for Steam VR on your PC to play SteamVR games on your phone. You will need a compatible VR headset to hold your phone, such as Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR. Alternatively, you can use PhoneVR app for Android and PhoneVR driver for SteamVR on your PC to achieve the same result.

These are some of the VR headset hardware that is currently available and supports Steam and Android. Depending on your budget, preference, and performance needs, you can choose the one that suits you best.