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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

#61

Post by emptysongglass »

nonplus wrote: post #56

I see a lot of comments on the pricing of this hardware. It's going to be more expensive (for the end user) to build a headset (and FOSS window manager) than a product like the quest. Meta has a suite of products bringing in capitol by selling user PII. Valve has a distribution platform to offset costs. If you want to see a product that is open end to end and is not part of an ecosystem selling your information, then…

But it doesn't matter. All of the reasons in the world for how expensive it is don't make a difference to the result: it's still too expensive.

Costs must go down before they'll see the kind of units moving they need to fund development.

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

#62

Post by normie3000 »

blah_humbug wrote: post #51
georgewsinger wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's serious (not parody), though I can understand in retrospect why that might be off-putting, and I should probably word the paragraph better. I sometimes watch Sci-Fi movies and focus too much on the technology (forgetting that the entire plot covers some terrible dystopian theme, lol). I'm personally a fan of "Definite Optimism" views of the future.[1] Western culture used to portray technology really positively…

Sorry, I don't understand how strapping some screens very close to our eyes will bring us back to the halcyon days of pre-1970 (which were absolutely dominated by the discovery of cheap energy in the form of oil and coal, and in the case of the US, the technological boost of fighting a war without the downsides of it being on its own soil). It sounds like what you are pining for is the time when we reaped maximal ben…

It sounds more like he’s pining for futuristic UIs.

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

#64

Post by kanetw »

musingsole wrote: post #53
nsilvestri wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a fairly high-end headset attached to a compoarably powerful laptop, and the cost reflects the combined cost of both parts. It's expensive but the price makes sense.

> attached to a compoarably powerful laptop This is the part that doesn't make sense. I don't need a computer from a product manufacturer focused on something else. I already have 10+ computers within reach; 3 of them can stream just fine to my Oculus Quest. Really, is the only way to create a VR PC to eschew all of that in favor of some controlled hardware ecosystem? I don't/won't buy it.

Several reasons:

1. You need a dedicated PC for this, or the friction of having to set everything up will lead to you never using it.

2. VR on Linux is a compatibility nightmare. Focusing on one configuration as our baseline makes things so much simpler.

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

#66

Post by gorjusborg »

nonplus wrote: post #56

I see a lot of comments on the pricing of this hardware. It's going to be more expensive (for the end user) to build a headset (and FOSS window manager) than a product like the quest. Meta has a suite of products bringing in capitol by selling user PII. Valve has a distribution platform to offset costs. If you want to see a product that is open end to end and is not part of an ecosystem selling your information, then…

I've spent 2k just on a monitor.

I'm more surprised that the quest is so cheap, but then I remember exactly what you said: the quest is not the product, I am the product.

Then I remember why I don't use Meta products anymore.

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

#68

Post by rvz »

stocknoob wrote: post #45

So many people are complaining about price of a first gen enthusiast device. You know the Apple II (~1500 in 1977) is 5k in modern dollars, and sold over 5m units, right? If the device solves a genuine productivity problem for you, 3k is cheap.

> 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 just purchase an Oculus VR headset from Meta.

The next consumer product that will have a mass adoption like the iPhone, will certainly be AR glasses from either Apple, Google or Meta.

Definitely not VR headsets and contraptions like this one which that ship has already sailed.

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

#69

Post by gorjusborg »

emptysongglass wrote: post #61
nonplus wrote: post #56

I see a lot of comments on the pricing of this hardware. It's going to be more expensive (for the end user) to build a headset (and FOSS window manager) than a product like the quest. Meta has a suite of products bringing in capitol by selling user PII. Valve has a distribution platform to offset costs. If you want to see a product that is open end to end and is not part of an ecosystem selling your information, then…

But it doesn't matter. All of the reasons in the world for how expensive it is don't make a difference to the result: it's still too expensive. Costs must go down before they'll see the kind of units moving they need to fund development.

It is definitely too expensive for broad adoption, but maybe it doesn't need broad adoption?

I might buy one if I could find a way to experience it first.

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

#70

Post by gorjusborg »

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!

They should also put a large dart board looking target on the headset.
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