Innovators in the world of 4K VR for consumers and businesses, Pico Interactive, recently announced the arrival of their new lightweight and untethered headset the Pico Neo 2.
The Neo 2, and Neo 2 Eye headsets deliver exceptional audio quality for VR enthusiasts and business leaders alike. Included on the TIME list for Best Inventions of 2020, the all-in-one headset promises amazing eye-tracking functionality, leading enterprise functionality, stereo speakers, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can do with the Pico Neo 2 headset.
Pico Neo 2 review: Design and build
Pico is one of the many brands frequently working on ergonomics and comfort as key components of a successful VR experience. The Neo 2 has a similar design to the Oculus headsets, with the addition of a hygienic all-PU facial interface. A unique counterbalanced design keeps the headset from weighing you down during extended use, and there’s also space foe prescription glasses.
The Neo 2 line comes with 2 headsets to choose from, including the “Neo Eye” which has its own built-in eye tracking functionality and Foveated rendering. The two headsets are all-in-one devices with 6 degrees of freedom, as well as magnetic and head controller tracking, wired and wireless streaming, spatial stereo audio, and Bluetooth 5.0.
You can remove and wash the microfibre pads in the Neo 2 headsets, making them great for multiple users. The fact that the battery is in the head strap, rather than the front screen also means that you can move more freely without compromising on comfort. One additional feature that sets this headset apart is the inclusion of an SD card slot for extra storage.
Pico Neo 2 review: Ease of Use
Similar in style to an Oculus Quest, but with a lot more functionality, the Pico Neo goes beyond the basic features of a gaming VR headset, to appeal to the enterprise market. You can use wireless or wired streaming on this device, depending on your needs, and you also get a set of 2 wireless controllers to use too.
Unlike the singular handset that’s available with other Pico headsets, these combo controllers feel similar to the Oculus Touch controls, with a joystick and button combination included. The controllers are also USC-C rechargeable, which is a handy extra.
Overall, the user interface and the experience of using the headset is very streamlined and intuitive, similar to previous models from Pico, like the G2. There’s a convenient and crisp layout for the home screen, which is easy enough to navigate, and you can even play your own content with the SD card.
Pico Neo 2 review: Visuals and performance
One of the biggest draws of Pico headsets is how visually appealing they are. The 4K display allows for extremely vibrant and crisp pictures, with a total 3,840 x 21,60 resolution. The Qualcomm Snapdragon processor makes sure that you get those images delivered quickly as you move through different enterprise experiences.
The field of view is around 101 degrees, which is similar to Oculus devices, and the eye-tracking is truly incredible, which allows for a much more immersive experience. Indeed, the slightly more advanced Neo 2 Eye comes with Tobii eye-tracking, and foveated rendering powered by Spotlight technology. The overall system scans your eyes 90 times per second for cursor control.
Sensational eye tracking in an all-in-one untethered headset is a major selling point for companies right now, allowing Pico the opportunity to really stand out from its competition. The dynamic foveated rendering also translates into better battery life through improved graphics performance, which reduces the demand for shading loading in some applications.
Pico Neo 2 review: Verdict
There are plenty of features that set the Pico Neo 2 apart from the other competitors in its field, from the addition of expandable storage, to the inclusion of incredible vision tracking, the Pico Neo has it all. This powerful all-in-one untethered headset is sure to make a massive difference to the enterprise landscape for companies in search of VR opportunities.
Compared to some of the other all-in-one and untethered options on the market, the Pico Neo offers unmatched levels of performance, particularly in field of view and eye-tracking. This could definitely be the next big headset in some enterprise circles, especially if you’re looking for something to free you from endless wires and cables.
