Tech companies are racing to participate in the new field of virtual reality, and Microsoft will be partnering with HP, Lenovo, Dell, Asus, and Acer to launch the first VR headsets with “inside-out” tracking; no need for external cameras.

VR headsets start at $299
Everyone in the VR industry seems to be talking about the almost mythical “inside-out” tracking that will obviate the need for external cameras. Some may even argue that VR headsets launched prematurely before essential technologies had fallen into place. Just consider the cumbersome setup that a HTC Vive requires.

Microsoft claims to have cracked inside-out tracking and is partnering with HP, Lenovo, Dell, Asus, and Acer to bring VR headsets based on the hardware platform to the market, starting at $299.


- “These headsets will be the first and only to ship with inside-out, 6-degrees of freedom sensors. Unlike every other VR headset on the market today, it means there’ll be zero reason for a separate room, zero need for a complicated setup, and while those less immersive accessories today cost over $500—most of the time requiring a new, expensive device, we are announcing today that these Creator’s Update accessories start at just $299,” said Terry Myerson, Microsoft executive VP of Windows and Devices

The companies did not announce details or specifications but from the demonstration it appears that the headset still require a wire to a PC, which makes Microsoft’s claim of “zero need for a complicated setup” ring a little hollow.

Microsoft will also bring VR and holographic support to Windows 10 in spring of 2017 with a software update. The update will include a 3D version of MS Paint and other features.

To be clear, these are VR headsets. Microsoft is also working on a “mixed reality” – or augmented reality – headset dubbed HoloLens.