Are you in the market for a new Virtuality product? A Virtual Reality headset perhaps? Or are you waiting for the first big wearable Mixed Reality product? Do you need something extremely affordable or is price no object for the best possible experience?
For many purposes, the total immersion of VR will continue to meet our needs, and there’s still something for every budget. Games, presentations, and simulations, for example are well suited to being transported to another reality, whether you’re sending packages home or offering an on-site experience.
However, for workplace tools, training programs, retail sales, social media, and likely many, many other use cases, we are looking at a market that will evolve quickly beyond the confines of an obscured view.
With those perspectives in mind, we thought mid-2017 would be a good time to take stock of what VR products are doing well – and where MR/XR will take us in 2018.
Best-selling VR Headsets
- The most economical VR product on the market
- Hand-held, requires a smartphone
- Great for educational and commercial presentations
- Accessible price point and quality user experience
- Head-mounted, requires a smartphone, controller option
- Ideal for games and 360-degree videos
- Accessible price point and quality user experience
- Head-mounted, requires a Samsung smartphone, controller option
- Powered by Oculus technology
- Ideal for games and 360-degree photos, walk-throughs, and videos
- High-end quality, investment for serious gamers
- Head-mounted, tethered to a console, controllers required
- Purpose-built for PS4, intended for games, concerts, and movies
- High-end quality, expensive for most consumers
- Head-mounted, tethered to a console, Touch controllers
- Designed for games, movies, and training programs
- Highest quality available to consumers, highest price point
- Head-mounted, tethered to a console, controllers desirable, able to sense environment and track real objects
- Ideal for immersive games, movies, and training programs
Keep in mind, the list above is strictly a reflection of sales figures. The devices above each have strengths and weaknesses, from graphics quality and usability to comfort and affordability.
Emerging AR & MR Wearables
- Currently only available to developers and institutions
- Head-mounted, standalone
- A working Mixed Reality product, setting the bar industry-wide
- Will be available to consumers
- Rugged frame design
- Primarily intended for industrial and technical workplaces
- Available to consumers
- Design very close to traditional glasses
- Primarily intended for industrial and technical workplaces
- Currently only available to developers, strictly AR
- Slim design, sturdy frame, controller attached
- Primarily intended for industrial and technical workplaces
- Currently only available to developers
- Head-mounted, tethered to computer, hologram projection
- Intended for both technical workspaces and entertainment
- Not available for purchase
- Known for both amazing visuals and secretive development
- Anticipated product similar to glasses
We’re watching the pending Extended or Mixed Reality devices because this is where we see Virtuality heading in the long run. When we visualize where interactive experiences and disruptive digital media will be in ten years for the industry as a whole, this is the future we imagine.
Stambol will stay on top of all the Virtuality tech on (and coming to) the market. Keep tabs on our blog for the latest updates.
Photo Credit: Dave / Adobe Stock