Alternate reality has come a long way since the dawn of technological renaissance. To say the least, VR can now let our brain delve into a world that was once unimaginable is today's normal view. Pair this with the surging augmented reality and the result is Occipital's Bridge, a "mixed reality" headset for the iPhone.
The advent of the Occipital Bridge also breaks the chains of VR as an Android exclusive. Engadget reported that the tech "has been confined" to Google's Operating System, while Apple has been left in the dark to envy. To even the playing field, the San Francisco-based group took this matter as an advantage by putting a "five-element wide-angle lens" on its 3D-centric Structure sensor. Finally, the team constructed a frame to complete the gear that would act as "the bridge between fantasy and reality."
Notwithstanding the fact that the Bridge is compatible with some of the latest iPhone models (iPhone 6, 6S, 7) and iOS9, Hot Hardware said that that the Occipital's Bridge Engine also works well with Unity 3D. By this, developers can work on titles using Unity 3D, make them compatible with the iPhone and watch the virtual fireworks pop and go boom.
The website added that the use of mixed reality will make virtual object "interact with and respond to the real world" such as physics, object occlusion and lighting and shadows. There's also "Bridget", an open source robot developers can use to spike their projects. They can also tweak her capabilities and thereby making her better in the process.
The Occipital Bridge is now available for pre-order and should ship to buyers by March of next year. It tags a $279 sans Structure sensor, add $399 for the whole package. The company is also developing an Explorer Edition which will begin shipping by December 16. It is, however, "available in limited quantities" for $499. Owners will also receive a single-button controller, a t-shirt and a limited edition Bridge blueprint.
