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Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

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Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#231

Post by m0llusk »

armitron wrote: post #196

To me this is a near-certain failure in waiting, and here's why: + Limited information, bad comparisons (that "simulated" text rendering image is atrocious, where are the actual pulled from device and pulled from the OS images) + Very vague presentation, zero background on team members. Who are you? What have you engineered? What have you shipped? + Godot dependency does not inspire confidence, this is an opensource…

Godot has gotten a great deal of polish recently and there are those who think it makes a really good foundation for almost any kind of interactive application.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#232

Post by echelon »

cookingmyserver wrote: post #187
lallysingh wrote: post #124

This looks like a decent deal looking deeper into it. Things that weren't obvious on first pass: (1) The VR specs are much higher than consumer level. I suspect this is what makes it reasonable to read text on it. The comparison headset is this: https://varjo.com/products/aero/ (They named it, but didn't google it) (2) They said "VR Computer" but don't define the term. They mean that it's a full PC with a headset ins…

I would highly discourage including a keyboard or mouse. If you are already spending $2700 on a VR computer I suspect you already have a keyboard or mouse you prefer or want to invest in a setup of your choice. No point in creating eWaste to drive home the point that this is a computer. And to that point you say that they need to emphasize that it is a computer and not just another headset (to the point of saying inc…

> I would highly discourage including a keyboard or mouse.

Counterpoint: I thought this was just another headset with the distinguishing feature that it could read text well, and I've been sitting in their Discord server for over a month.

Look at Nintendo's ROB. They needed that thing to escape the stigma of their predecessors. Home video game consoles until that point sucked, so they had to market themselves as a toy instead so people wouldn't automatically dismiss them.

But I agree with your point about waste. Maybe it's simply a matter of marketing.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#233

Post by kanetw »

ge96 wrote: post #228
capableweb wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Well people say the Index is expensive at $1K (full kit) this thing is 2-5x that. Will be interesting. Isn't the Index just the headset? This is a headset + attached computer, different type of beast.

Yeah they have a tethered version too, 2x cost. I'm saying if people think the Index is expensive for what it is/was, this thing is way up there. But hey not everyone drives Lamborghinis but that's still a market. Anyway I preordered one (half up front), I'm down, will practice on my Index in the mean time. I am curious about their choice of Godot in case I ever get to the level to mess with rendering. Would be nice…

Godot was mostly chosen for expedience and hackability. With e.g. StardustXR existing now, it's not impossible we'll do something new down the line.

Curved panels etc are doable. We primarily use Haskell as a "scripting" language for at least some type safety, but it should be fairly manageable to get into.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#234

Post by carapace »

I've been blasé about VR/AR since FB bought Oculus (well, since VRML et. al. flopped, really.) This is the first project that I've gotten excited about. Like, "shut up and take my money!" excited. (Folks complaining about the price: C'mon!? $3K-$4K for a high-end workstation is de rigueur and it's for work so it's tax deductible.)

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#235

Post by kanetw »

echelon wrote: post #232
cookingmyserver wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would highly discourage including a keyboard or mouse. If you are already spending $2700 on a VR computer I suspect you already have a keyboard or mouse you prefer or want to invest in a setup of your choice. No point in creating eWaste to drive home the point that this is a computer. And to that point you say that they need to emphasize that it is a computer and not just another headset (to the point of saying inc…

> I would highly discourage including a keyboard or mouse. Counterpoint: I thought this was just another headset with the distinguishing feature that it could read text well, and I've been sitting in their Discord server for over a month. Look at Nintendo's ROB. They needed that thing to escape the stigma of their predecessors. Home video game consoles until that point sucked, so they had to market themselves as a to…

Yeah, I've been trying to find solutions with George as to how to highlight we're a VR computer better. Getting the messaging right is tricky.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#236

Post by ge96 »

kanetw wrote: post #233
ge96 wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah they have a tethered version too, 2x cost. I'm saying if people think the Index is expensive for what it is/was, this thing is way up there. But hey not everyone drives Lamborghinis but that's still a market. Anyway I preordered one (half up front), I'm down, will practice on my Index in the mean time. I am curious about their choice of Godot in case I ever get to the level to mess with rendering. Would be nice…

Godot was mostly chosen for expedience and hackability. With e.g. StardustXR existing now, it's not impossible we'll do something new down the line. Curved panels etc are doable. We primarily use Haskell as a "scripting" language for at least some type safety, but it should be fairly manageable to get into.

Sweet. Yeah I am not talking from experience at all. Just think it would be C# or Unity or something cliche like that. Anyway I'm going to try out your Simula repo on my Index.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#238

Post by Qello »

ianbutler wrote: post #85
rvz wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If the device solves a genuine productivity problem for you, 3k is cheap. I don't know why anyone would buy this contraption that costs more than a Oculus / Meta Quest or a HTC Vive and is targeted at consumers. Like you said; it is a 'first gen' which usually means this is an instant don't buy. Even if you wait for it to be cheaper, the use-cases are already limited with the consumers getting frustrated and will j…

So the Quest 2 sold over 12million headsets in the last year. And over the last few years VR has seen a growth rate of over 20% YOY. I always wonder if when people like you make a comment if you actually look at figures or just go with your gut because you don't like something. I'm guessing the latter. The mass adoption is happening right under your nose, an entire generation of US kids are growing up with VR right n…

In my opinion it's more the contrast and the expectation.

I am waiting for something like the metaverse and I do realize that it will not happen as hoped.

I got 3D glasses in 2005 or so when I had a crt display and it was a fun novelty.

I watched 3D movies in the cinema and it's a nice novelty but I do prefer a brighter screen.

I watched 3D movie on a flat screen display and it was okay.

I got a HTC vive pro with wireless and valve index controllers and it's also a nice novelty so far.

VR is in my opinion a success if it becomes normal but no one really uses it day to day.

20 million devices? From a global company? In a market were 14 year old kids already own a 1000$ phone? Success I don't know.

People bought 3D televisions as well so that's that.

My personal expectation was that VR is going to be used for training people to drive, industriel training and lighthearted sports. But as something central like I imagined the metaverse or what ready player one proposed? We are far away from that.

That portable Linux VR headset will lay around at plenty of places of nerds having fun of it for a bit and then it becomes obsolete. An expensive toy.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#239

Post by Damogran6 »

bee_rider wrote: post #146
drcode wrote: post #63

I love that they fully embrace the "sitting at the coffee shop with my VR headset" aesthetic. I'm totally ready to support this vision and preorder one and let my freak flag fly at my local coffee shop!

Luckily it is a Linux device, we're the sort of weirdos who'd do such a thing. In 3 years or so, this will be normalized, right? People will want to wear their apple VR things, to coffee shops.

It'll be normalized when The Simpsons makes fun of it.

Re: Show HN: Simula One – Portable Linux VR Computer

#240

Post by georgewsinger »

sleight42 wrote: post #151

In the before-times, this would’ve been life-altering for devs who would frequently travel by plane. Pre-pandemic, remember computering in economy class? You were lucky if you could see your laptop screen! With this gadget, your screen is all around you and your keyboard can literally be on your lap.

Agreed =]

Another benefit of VRCs is that they allow you to work more privately, which is also useful in planes. I don't know if I'm just weird, but I've always found it unnerving to work on a laptop in economy class where people can just glance over at my screen. (Even if I'm not even working on anything that private or sensitive). VRCs mean nobody can see what you're working on except you.

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