A recent survey conducted by Ben Bajarin, CEO and principal analyst at Creative Strategies, revealed that most respondents were willing to spend between $250 and $499 on a virtual reality (VR) headset. The next-largest group of respondents were only willing to spend $100 to $249. Interestingly, 20 percent of those surveyed were open to investing $1,000 or more on VR. Bajarin also noted that travel, entertainment, and gaming apps are the most popular experiences on VR, highlighting the consumer demand for immersive and interactive content in the VR space.
Meta, the company behind the Meta Quest VR headset, has also recognized the popularity of gaming apps on their platform. At the recent Meta Connect developer event, Meta announced that 100 new games will be coming to the Quest store, which already has over 500 games. In addition, more than half of these new games will incorporate mixed reality, providing a unique blend of virtual and real-world experiences for users. This approach of merging real-world visibility with compelling games may appeal more to the mainstream audience and contribute to the wider adoption of VR technology.
Meta also unveiled their latest version of smart glasses, produced in partnership with Ray-Ban. This new design includes both sunglasses and clear-lens glasses, offering options for different frame styles, colors, and finishes. The glasses feature improved video-capturing capabilities, including 1080p HD video and 12-megapixel still images. They also boast louder speakers and enhanced voice audio capture with additional microphones. Furthermore, Meta introduced an AI-powered chatbot assistant that can be interacted with using the glasses, emphasizing the company’s belief that artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in the adoption of smart glasses and augmented reality features.
Overall, the survey results and Meta’s product announcements highlight the growing interest and demand for VR and AR technologies. Consumers are willing to invest in VR headsets, particularly for gaming and entertainment experiences. Meta’s focus on mixed reality and the improvement of their smart glasses demonstrate their commitment to enhancing user experiences and integrating AI capabilities. These developments indicate a promising future for VR and AR technologies as they continue to evolve and expand their applications across various industries.