Windows Mixed Reality requires an entire PC attached to it. The whole point of this is that for $199, you get everything you need to start using it, no cellphone or (expensive) PC tether.
Whether there's a market for such a device I'm not so sure, but there's no doubt Windows Mixed Reality/Rift/Vive et al have relatively huge cost barriers to entry vs simpler VR devices like this.
I'm going to re-iterate the OPs opinion that this isn't VR.
If it is we need to a new name where Daydream / Oculus GO = glorified viewmaster and Rift / Vive (and windows mr?) = I touched the future.
They are vastly different experiences. The feeling of presence in Vive and Rift that come from (a) having your head movement fully tracked (b) being able to walk around things (c) having your actual hands in the simulation, make it an entirely different experience IMO.
I showed my non-tech family cardboard a couple of years ago. They were mildly impressed. I showed them Rift last Christmas and my non-tech mom wanted one immediately. I advised her not to get one yet but she was blown away.
Sure it would be better not to have a PC attached but without full 6dof and hands it's basically just a viewmaster toy for 360 videos.
There are already standalone Windows MR devices with 6dof. HoloLens has also had 6dof for years. Vive has a stand-alone 6dof as well, but it’s only in China so far.
Sorry, I was wrong about that. I was thinking of Lenovo Solo, but that is Google Daydream-based. However MR does not inherently require a detached PC. HoloLens is a PC.
Windows Mixed Reality requires an entire PC attached to it. The whole point of this is that for $199, you get everything you need to start using it, no cellphone or (expensive) PC tether.
Whether there's a market for such a device I'm not so sure, but there's no doubt Windows Mixed Reality/Rift/Vive et al have relatively huge cost barriers to entry vs simpler VR devices like this.