Arthur C. Clarke famously said that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” and that has never been more true than with the 3 Body problem Virtual reality headsets. It's so far ahead of everything else on the market that it doesn't seem possible. There really is no doubt: this is the best way to experience virtual reality. Unfortunately, there is very little software to take advantage of all that advanced technology; At launch, there is only one app available. And while that app is a game that could alter the fate of humanity forever, that doesn't push the headphones into “must buy” territory.
But let's start with that hardware because it really is incredible. They are sleek metal headphones so light you can barely feel them. It's completely wireless, and unlike, say, the Apple Vision Pro, it seems to work for almost everyone out of the box. No hassle with visual adjustments or specially installed seals. Just put it on and go. There are also no charging times and the battery life seems to be infinite. It's baffling how they managed to fit all that into such a small device. I'm eagerly awaiting the moment when iFixit gets its hands on it.
It's also easy to take a look at perhaps the headphones' biggest innovation: despite being made entirely of some type of shiny metal, it's impossible to scratch them or leave fingerprints. No matter how much you handle it, the device looks like it just came out of the box. That's something that needs to become the norm across the industry.
If you had to judge the 3 body headsets based solely on how well they work, there's not much to say other than that it's a truly incredible product, to the point that it feels centuries ahead of other commercial VR headsets. Literally. Virtual reality has been waiting for this moment as a way to convince the masses. But a device itself can only take you so far, and unfortunately, the development community hasn't caught up to the level of headphones yet.
At launch, there is only one game available and nothing else. Neither Netflix nor Spotify. No productivity apps. Now, to be fair, that game is amazing. called simply three bodiesis a historical epic that is like an immersive vision of Civilization, tasking players with helping a society survive a series of catastrophes. It has a steep learning curve, but once you understand the basics, it's really hard to put down. Much of that comes down to the headset itself. When I say immersion, I mean it; It is almost impossible to discern the reality of the game from that of the outside world. You can see, feel, hear and touch everything in the game, all without any kind of specialized controller. Everything is contained within the headset itself. To call it virtual reality is almost to understate the experience.
To call it virtual reality is almost to understate the experience.
It's a great game that also makes it clear how fantastic this device could be in other contexts. Imagine chatting with friends on the other side of the world with avatars that really look like you or getting the chance to set foot in places like Arrakis or Midgar, rendered in ways that are indistinguishable from the real world. Although that's all theoretical for now. Currently, the 3 body Headphones are an amazing device that can only do one very specific thing.
Of course, all of this is largely debatable because you can't actually buy it. The headphones are not available in any store or online. It's unclear how much it costs, if anything. It just appears to some people, and how it arrives and to whom it is sent is largely a mystery. It's like the most elaborate soft launch ever. However, if the software and availability issues are ever resolved, headphones could end up being a watershed moment in consumer technology, the kind of thing that could really change the world.
