Virtual reality headsets now a reality in Pakistan – and some come free

Bytes.pk has been providing its Bytes VR Headset in the country for almost a year.
Published January 13, 2016

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Virtual reality headsets are not just future talk any more, not even in Pakistan.

Bytes.pk, one of Pakistan’s leading online tech stores, has brought VR Headsets to the country, hoping to see sales on their website take VR from fad to trend.

So, what is a virtual reality headset, and why should you check it out?

A virtual reality headset takes you inside the setting you are witnessing, virtually making you a part of the environment by artificially creating sensory experiences. Imagine watching movies, playing games and touring cities around the globe in environments that are immersive, almost 'real', courtesy your smartphone and a VR headset.

VR experiences are cropping up across the internet including:

Climbing Mount Everest

A journey to meet Earth’s earliest inhabitants

Experience the moon landing

For gamers, this is a natural dream come true. But this is just one application, with potential uses of the technology on a macro level in areas such as education and training, architecture, urban planning, design and medicine.

The most popular VR headsets in the world are those made by Oculus, which are created specifically for console gamers.

The company launched its prototypes after collecting funds through a Kickstarter campaign but was acquired by social media giant Facebook in 2014 – an indicator that the future is big.

While the complete potential of the technology is yet to be explored, the possibilities – some of which have already materialised – are exciting to say the least.

VRPakistan

In Pakistan, Bytes.pk has gone a step beyond selling. On its first anniversary of operations, the online store, which features multiple headsets, has come up with an enticing offer; VR headsets, for free.

The company has announced it will be distributing 10,000 headsets for absolutely no charge in an effort to encourage mass adoption and promote content creation for these gadgets in Pakistan, as part of the #VRPakistan campaign.

To get one, users simply have to visit bytes.pk, add the product to their cart and check out (before all units run out).

The free headsets are set to be available in three batches on Friday, January 15, 2016, at the following times:

4,000 headset giveaways at 12.00am

2,000 headset giveaways at 03.00pm

2,000 headset giveaways at 08.00pm

The remaining 2,000 headsets are set to be distributed at schools and colleges across Karachi.

Virtual reality has steadily grown in Pakistan since the company’s inception, but Pakistani content for virtual reality devices has not grown at a similar pace – a void bytes.pk hopes to fill with this campaign.


Sponsor content: this content is made possible by the sponsor and does not necessarily reflect the views of Dawn.com's editorial staff.