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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

#71

Post by nonplus »

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.

Not really, their break even (and by that, I mean ideal bulk pricing of components) for units sold is under 1000 units. The Simula one is not trying to sell 100k units. If you think thats the case, your expectations are wrong.

Re (software) development: Yes it will need funding, but it's there right now https://github.com/SimulaVR/Simula and is agnostic/works with any openXR headset.

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

#72

Post by japesj »

Looks like an interesting proposition! Definitely would like more information about how this sits on the face of a glasses wearer (or how prescription lenses can anchor into the headset). Also, there's no details on how this is powered, but given it's use case outdoors, it's suggests it's battery powered. What's the expected battery life?

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

#74

Post by throwoutway »

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 do fully embrace it! I almost laughed at the comment:

> It can sometimes just feel weird working on sensitive or private things out in the open.

... all while the GIF next to it seems to have people glaring at the weird person with the VR headset on. Clever marketing hidden way down there. But who knows, maybe this is the future if Zuck throws billions at it.

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

#75

Post by shafyy »

Awesome project! I'm a regular Quest 2 user, and also use it for work sometimes. For me, the biggest drawback of the Quest 2 is that it gets uncomfortable after a while. How do you address the ergonomics problem? Compared to a Quest 2, is it more comfortable?

What about collaboration? Is there something like shared workspaces planned? Or does it support a virtual cam?

When do you plan to ship it (maybe I missed it on your website?)

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

#76

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!

I also love the fact that the guy can't drink his coffee because it clashes with the headset. They should have had the actor order a drink with a straw.

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

#77

Post by ge96 »

gorjusborg wrote: post #70
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.

Yean unfortunately I would not use this thing in public, I think it would just get stolen. I have a $2K camera (body only) that I'm afraid to use in public, seems silly I know.

But I think I'll try to use my Index more see if I can get into that idea of using VR for work.

I hope they figured out the blurry edges of text when you don't look at it just right, maybe that's a lower resolution display issue. I'm interested in the concept but it's definitely expensive for me at the current cost/mental mindset.

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

#78

Post by ganzuul »

gorjusborg wrote: post #66
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.

It is strange that paying for being a product that is sold has become normalized. Then again slavery was common not long ago.

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

#79

Post by kanetw »

gorjusborg wrote: post #69
emptysongglass wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

We'll be able to have reviewable prototype units in a few months. Depending on how many critical components (displays, primarily) we have we might be able to set up some way to test it for non-reviewers.

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

#80

Post by moron4hire »

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.

Simula is working on a paradigm shift of computing. We're looking at the price and comparing it to buying a smartphone or gaming console. The Simula device doesn't aspire to be a secondary device. It wants to be a primary device, replacing your laptop.

The closest device in comparison to this one is not a Quest 2 or even a Valve Index. Those are both secondary devices that do not offer anything other than canned, theme-park-like experiences that sit completely aside the rest of your computer. The closest competing device is actually a HoloLens 2. HoloLens with Windows Holographic is the only device on the market that has support for a general purpose computing interface. And HoloLens 2s are still US$3500/ea.

Whether you agree a VR computer as a primary device is a good thing is a different issue.

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