This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33103833

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oculus reveals consumer edition of virtual reality headset Oculus and Xbox create virtual reality tie-up
(34 minutes later)
Oculus VR has shown off the version of its virtual reality headset that will be sold to consumers, and revealed it will come with an Xbox One controller.Oculus VR has shown off the version of its virtual reality headset that will be sold to consumers, and revealed it will come with an Xbox One controller.
The Facebook-owned company also revealed it is working on its own handheld controller system called Oculus Touch.The Facebook-owned company also revealed it is working on its own handheld controller system called Oculus Touch.
The Rift headset has so far only been available to games developers, but will go on sale to the public early 2016. The Rift headset will be released early next year. Until now, only a "developer" version had been sold.
It will compete with rival VR headsets such as Sony's Morpheus and HTC's Vive.It will compete with rival VR headsets such as Sony's Morpheus and HTC's Vive.
Google has made a more basic entry into the market with its Cardboard product, which uses a person's smartphone to create a VR effect.Google has made a more basic entry into the market with its Cardboard product, which uses a person's smartphone to create a VR effect.
The deal with Microsoft means Oculus owners will be able to stream Xbox One games to the headset and see them as if they are being viewed on a huge "home cinema" screen.The deal with Microsoft means Oculus owners will be able to stream Xbox One games to the headset and see them as if they are being viewed on a huge "home cinema" screen.
Microsoft's gaming boss Phil Spencer made a surprise appearance at the event to introduce the partnership.Microsoft's gaming boss Phil Spencer made a surprise appearance at the event to introduce the partnership.
But he did not discuss whether the Xbox One would offer VR games of its own - allowing players to experience immersive 360-degree views - via the headset.But he did not discuss whether the Xbox One would offer VR games of its own - allowing players to experience immersive 360-degree views - via the headset.
However, Mr Spencer hinted that more information would be shared at next week's E3 conference in Los Angeles.However, Mr Spencer hinted that more information would be shared at next week's E3 conference in Los Angeles.
"The Microsoft deal with Oculus seems like a risk-free way to try and undermine Morpheus' advantage," commented Piers-Harding Rolls, a video games industry analyst at the IHS consultancy."The Microsoft deal with Oculus seems like a risk-free way to try and undermine Morpheus' advantage," commented Piers-Harding Rolls, a video games industry analyst at the IHS consultancy.
"But streaming XBox One games... is not going to sell Oculus. The video of the experience didn't look compelling." "But streaming XBox One games... is not going to sell Oculus.
"The video of the experience didn't look compelling."
'Something huge''Something huge'
Oculus founder Palmer Luckey said his firm had been looking at new ways for gamers to interact with virtual reality beyond using a console gamepad.Oculus founder Palmer Luckey said his firm had been looking at new ways for gamers to interact with virtual reality beyond using a console gamepad.
He showed off the prototype Oculus Touch system, which consists of two wireless handheld controllers fitted with buttons, joypads and sensors.He showed off the prototype Oculus Touch system, which consists of two wireless handheld controllers fitted with buttons, joypads and sensors.
He said they were designed to make sense of the kinds of gestures people make naturally with their hands. He said they were designed to make sense of the kinds of gestures people made naturally with their hands.
Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, said the launch put Oculus in the "driver's seat" in the VR market.Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, said the launch put Oculus in the "driver's seat" in the VR market.
"With Facebook's resources it has a huge head-start over rivals and its already delivered two iterations of its developer platform," he told the BBC."With Facebook's resources it has a huge head-start over rivals and its already delivered two iterations of its developer platform," he told the BBC.
"Furthermore, it's the brand that is synonymous with virtual reality technology. "Furthermore, it's the brand that is synonymous with virtual reality technology."
"It is unlikely HTC can throw anywhere near the same resources at Vive and we've still seen very little concrete from Sony so far."
Crowdfunded originsCrowdfunded origins
The Rift headset began its life as a crowdfunded Kickstarter project, raising $2.4m (£1.5m). It was later bought by Facebook for $2bn in 2014.The Rift headset began its life as a crowdfunded Kickstarter project, raising $2.4m (£1.5m). It was later bought by Facebook for $2bn in 2014.
"We consider virtual reality has the potential to be one of the most disruptive technologies for a decade," said Mr Wood."We consider virtual reality has the potential to be one of the most disruptive technologies for a decade," said Mr Wood.
"You only have to look at the huge investments being made by companies like Facebook, Google, HTC, Sony and many others to realise we are on the cusp of something huge.""You only have to look at the huge investments being made by companies like Facebook, Google, HTC, Sony and many others to realise we are on the cusp of something huge."
Jason Rubin, head of Oculus Studios, introduced some early titles designed for the Rift, including Eve Valkyrie, a first-person shooting game, and role-playing game Chronos.Jason Rubin, head of Oculus Studios, introduced some early titles designed for the Rift, including Eve Valkyrie, a first-person shooting game, and role-playing game Chronos.
Oculus' head of development strategy Anna Sweet also announced a $10m fund for independent developers to spur on the creation of games for the platform.Oculus' head of development strategy Anna Sweet also announced a $10m fund for independent developers to spur on the creation of games for the platform.
Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBCFollow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC