All Mode
Yesterday, I discussed how Apple’s recent moves suggest that it is going all in for virtual reality this year. These moves include supporting VR on Mac, a recent focus on augmented reality, and what looks like a fundamental redesign of the iPhone. Yes, the iPhone 8 is Apple’s big bet and I believe they are also betting big with both VR and AR.
The components of the new iPhone 8 will make it perfect for virtual reality and augmented reality, thereby providing a hybrid AR/VR beast that even Google is afraid to make (they don’t want to mix Project Tango Phones with Daydream VR). As I argued yesterday, the inevitable boost in screen resolution will make awesome VR possible on iPhones but another important factor will make the iPhone screen perfect for virtual reality. This factor is screen speed.
120Hz Screen
Beyond the screen resolution, Apple’s new iPad with a 10.5-inch screen gives us another hint about what may be included in the iPhone 8. What I am referring to here is the special 120 Hz speed of the display that is included in the new iPad Pro 10.5. Hailed as the new iPad Pro’s standout feature, the ultra-fast screen update speed of 120hz makes animation and movement on the iPad’s screen ultra-fluid and virtually lag free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvrIa-UaFl4
Putting this feature on an iPhone would look great while also providing Apple a huge advantage over its rivals, Samsung and Google. If Apple included a 120hz screen in the iPhone 8 and utilized this speed for VR, their product would stand head and shoulders above Google and Sammy’s VR screen refresh rates. Currently, Samsung’s Gear VR devices run at 60hz and Google’s daydream top out at 70hz. With 120hz, Apple’s devices would potentially be able to provide one of the smoothest virtual reality screens on the market.
Potentially Amazing Fluidity
Why does it matter? Having fast refresh rates makes virtual reality so much more enjoyable. First of all, users will face less nausea with faster refresh rates. Apple doesn’t want people throwing up in Apple stores. This would be key to preventing that. Faster refresh rates also exponentially increase the experience of presence, the sense that users are in another place or with other objects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFX5o-8ioUs
Potentially, Apple’s VR system could provide the capability for developers to create the most solid and realistic virtual worlds. Really, if Apple utilizes this fast refresh rate in VR, the quality will be able to match the PC front runners like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift which clock in at 90hz. Additionally, Apple’s screen tech includes refresh rate adjusters which would make a 90 Hz or lower possible. This would help save battery life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaD0CZm9J-g
In sum, a 120 Hz high res VR screen will go far in helping Apple impress the masses of Apple fans. If there is going to be a year that Apple goes balls to the wall with extras like a VR adapter/headset, this is the year they will do it. The pieces are coming together for what could be a near-perfect groundbreaking VR compatible iPhone. As a reminder, these pieces are screen technology, 3d laser scanning abilities, and augmented reality software. Keep in mind this is all speculation, but we are seeing big clues in Apple’s dev code and other hardware releases that point to these components being used for VR. To be continued…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf6DPWn6w5E
Tomorrow I will discuss the potential power of a VR iPhone 8 in terms of:
- Lasers
- Augmented Reality
That is definitely an impressive refresh rate. How much it will actually improve the vr experience I’m not entirely sure though.
Yeah it’s great progress towards the VR of the future, but for current content, the extra refresh rate is a somewhat marginal improvement.
whether they are making VR headset or not but I love this 120 latency rate, it feels super smooth while browsing pages