Hacker News Reader

Comment by Karsteski | Hacker News Reader

A bit of an insane requirement honestly. I guess they're assuming their target demographic would be wealthy enough to either have an iPhone, or be around people who would have an iPhone? Kinda rubs me the wrong way still, even though I'd be able to get it done if I so choose...

View on HN

When you look at the mechanical design of most VR headsets, a lot of weight, space and effort is spent making the interpupillary distance adjustable. They made a deliberate choice here to manufacture chassis with fixed IPD, and to mold the front. It moves the weight and mechanical complexity out of the headset and into the ordering and manufacturing process.

They are using the FaceID depth sensors.

And right now the only phone with them and that has a usable API is apparently the iPhone.

This was covered in a walkthrough with a VR YouTuber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvih_ljVc_w

Is it insane if it's for a custom mold? Personally I would rather borrow a friend's phone than go into a physical store for a scan or have them send me a plaster mold kit.

I'm an Android user, but I get this requirement, because it actually gives you a better product.

Fortunately, I can borrow an iPhone from work

It rubs me the wrong way this continued idea that only the wealthy have an iPhone, or atleast it does when people just assume that's the motive.

That may have been the case around 5+ years ago when flagship Samsung phones were significantly cheaper than iPhones. Then Samsung (for example) moved away from plastic screens and chassis to glass and aluminum, the prices went up.

Here in Australia the flagship iPhone 14 pro is from $1,899 with the flagship Samsung $1,949. With the Samsung fold at a whopping $2,499.

A normal Samsung S23 and iPhone 14 both go for the same price.

Of course we're just talking flagships, with both brands offering lower priced phones around that half price.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com