While it is true that PSVR 2 is on the way, many details remain a mystery, although Sony has given some teasers about its next-generation VR headset. [because, as Distrito XR discovered, Sony has just been granted a patent for a "head-mounted display." While the patent does not give any details about the headset or the slightest confirmation that it is the PSVR 2, it clearly has many people excited.
There is no doubt that the patent belongs to Sony, but that does not necessarily mean it is PSVR 2. For starters, even though it was just granted last week, the application was filed on June 13, 2019, almost two and a half years ago, and that's a long time as far as technology is concerned.
As anyone paying attention to products like the Surface Pro 8 knows, patents don't always translate into actual products. At the time, Microsoft's patent revealed a number of amazing features that were speculated to be included in the tablet PC. But when the device actually arrived, it bore a disappointing resemblance to its predecessor.
It is also worth mentioning that the previous PSVR 2 controller patent we saw in March turned out to be quite different from the final design Sony unveiled just a few weeks later.
In any case, whether or not this design is anything close to what the PSVR 2 looks like, it remains a fairly generic VR headset. On the other hand, it is clearly different from the original PSVR, with a smaller display unit and a larger band at the back of the head.
The adjustment/locking wheel has also been removed, and the patent describes a system for securing the clasp. It is unclear how this will actually work, but from the copy of the patent, Sony may be improving the design of the headset to optimize comfort when worn. This would not be a bad thing, as gamers can expect to be able to wear it for longer periods of time.
At this stage, we can only speculate as to whether this patent is related to PSVR 2. But while it seems likely, there is certainly nothing here to convince us one way or the other.
We'll just have to be patient for now and hope that Sony will reveal some concrete details soon. At the very least, we would like to know when the headset will be available, even if, like the PS5 restocking situation, the ongoing global chip shortage could hamper supply.
We are also hoping that another rumor from last week will prove true: a post on ResetEra, reported by TechRadar, claims that the headset may be backward compatible with current PSVR games. Fingers crossed that this rumor is true.
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