Qualcomm has announced its XR1 platform that will give portable VR a major boost. Currently the Oculus GO is using an older Qualcomm chip (Snapdragon 821 Processor) that is more along the lines of smartphone use, but the XR1 will bring AR and VR applications closer to the levels of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. This is a big step in the right direction for portable VR and should help advance higher end AR/VR projects at a cheaper price.
FILE PHOTO: One of many Qualcomm buildings is shown in San Diego, California, U.S. on November 3, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
The XR1 chip will provide higher resolution 4K display while allowing the user to be more inside the space with 360 degree viewing, granted its all dependent on what manufacturers decide to do with the chip. Oculus GO should see a nice boost once they implement the XR1 and hopefully other portable devices will utilize the higher end chip for AR/VR needs.
The XR1 chip should see the light of day around early 2019 depending on how things pan out, but overall this gives companies a cheaper alternative and a higher end portable solution which is much needed in the space.
