Standalone virtual reality systems could be the tipping point in VR adoption [UPDATE]
The rumored standalone VR system promised by Facebook is finally here! Today, Facebook unveiled Oculus Go, a $200 standalone headset that is believed to help bridge the gap between high-end PC systems and smartphone VR viewers. The Go will be smaller and lighter than the Oculus Rift (now permanently on sale for $399) and geared towards immersive gaming, watching videos & social networking. It will also be the first viewer that doesn’t require an external device or PC to power the immersive VR experience.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg called it the
“most accessible VR headset ever.”
Watch the official trailer:
The new device is not expected to ship until 2018, which gives competitors a chance to hit the market first, (Hi Google????). But, the reputation and power of the Facebook/Oculus empire might just be the match strike for VR to spread amongst consumer worldwide.
If Facebook is able to design something in between the Gear VR and Rift we could see a mass adoption of VR similar to the rise of the smartphone made famous by Apple. Marketers need to recognize that we’re at a tipping point, the moment when VR reaches a critical mass of consumers.
Now is the time to start exploring VR for your business and how it can help tell your brand’s story. A master planned community in Southport, NC is using 360º sky to ground VR tours to attract and engage new buyers. Visitors of their site are spending an average of 25 minutes exploring and interactive with the VR tour – which has resulted in a significant increase in the number of showings and sales.
Virtual reality will soon be an essential element to engage with new and existing audiences. So, if you want to get ahead tomorrow, invest in VR today.
