Zeiss will release virtual reality glasses as a smartphone accessory in December

In December, a pair of virtual reality glasses from lens maker Zeiss should come on the market. The device only works if a smartphone is used, which has to be inserted into the glasses. The so-called VR One will cost 99 euros.

Zeiss has put a blog online with information about his VR glasses. For compatibility with smartphones, the company is working on several inserts that will position the screen in the correct way for the user’s view. At release, only inserts for the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S5 will be released, but Zeiss states that it will also make other smartphone models compatible based on user feedback. Incidentally, the screen diagonal of the smartphone must be between 4.7″ and 5.2″ to fit properly in the VR One.

For applications, Zeiss comes with an open source SDK, which developers can use to develop for the VR One. The glasses work with both Android and iOS. Zeiss has already developed two apps itself, which have been made available through the App Store and Play Store; one of the apps allows the user to stream YouTube videos, while the other is intended for augmented reality.

Zeiss has already started taking preorders through its website. Pre-ordered VR glasses will be shipped before Christmas, the lens maker promises. On the website it is also possible for users who do not have an iPhone 6 or Galaxy S5 to fill in a poll. Based on this, the company decides which smartphone will be made compatible with the VR One first. Samsung already announced similar VR glasses last month; the GearVR. However, it is only compatible with the Galaxy Note 4 and costs double the VR One.