VR

I really want a good VR headset.  Not because I want to play games, although I’m sure there are some good ones (or there will be soon enough), but because I want to wear it on a plane to watch movies.  Imagine sitting in your cramped airplane seat, but your mind feels like it’s sitting in a wide open theater.

Here are a couple of articles from people who’ve done it, and they both highly recommend it (although the second guy said he put his away partway into the flight out of embarrassment.  Luckily I have very little shame):
http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/27/8302453/im-the-creepy-guy-wearing-a-vr-headset-on-your-plane-and-its-great
http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-gear-vr-airplane-2016-4

They both used the Samsung GearVR, which is the cheapest “good” headset available right now.  It’s a step above Google Cardboard, but still relies on a smartphone to provide the screen and computing power.  If it worked with my phone I’d order one right now, but it only works with a small set of Samsung phones.

For my crazy-long flights to and from Australia next month I’m looking into whether it’s worth renting a compatible phone.  The cheaper option would just be to swap phones with my wife (since she has the S6, which works), but I really like my phone and hesitate to give it up for a week.  But I may decide it’s worth it.  I’ll keep you posted.

As for the headset itself, I have a friend who has one I could probably borrow, but they’re also not that expensive.  They’re $99 new, and I see a bunch on Craigslist for $50-80.