Prediction: Apple Does VR Very Soon

[TallManNY]

Here is my prediction on the next big thing. Apple does a VR headset. The ability is there. No one can do small screen and big computing power better than Apple. The gyroscope and GPS in the iPhone is so good and so small that a juiced up and improved version of it will solve the head tracking issue. No camera needed. Then we add the "tech" and the name brand from the Beats Audio acquisition and we've got the sound system. First killer App is "be there" concert experience with a few hot bands.

Apple positions this as the ultimate movie watching experience as well, thereby this becomes the Apple TV that the we always heard about.

Siri is onboard controlling lots of input. Otherwise your phone or iPad will double as another input device. Sadly it won't be focused on games because Apple will resist allowing it to connect to a controller with lots of buttons. But games will get built for it.

VR is inevitable. The Oculus Rift is reportedly compelling technology as it stands and I don't see why Apple can't make something much better. So if the state of the art is "good" but not adopted (kind of like original MP3 players) and Apple can make something smaller and better, then this is basically a classic "Apple Innovation Moment". One where in some ways they aren't innovating, but really just executing. But by executing they actually make the innovation (which currently exists as a niche and in labs) into something that exists in the mass market.

Anyway, that is my thought for the day.

 

[matrix07]

I like.

 

[The Doctor11]

I think that would be super awesome. But I don't think that is something that has been talked about at apple yet. They'll wait for the ocules rift and a few others first then learn from their mistakes.

 

[TallManNY]

I think that would be super awesome. But I don't think that is something that has been talked about at apple yet. They'll wait for the ocules rift and a few others first then learn from their mistakes.

The Rift is on phase 2 and I think you can just buy either one of them and Apple must have the prototypes. So unless you mean they are waiting to learn from Rift 3's results, I don't know what you mean. Sony's prototype looks better, but I don't think that is publicly available. Samsung is going to release some crappy goggles apparently as well. That gives Apple a lot of data points.

There are also lots of other personal viewer players out there and they haven't taken off. But don't you agree that eventually this is going to be something we will want to have? I can't imagine having Apple's budget and not put at least some of the budget into VR. But my prediction is that this is something that comes out this year or next year. So I'm not hedging on the prediction. It seems like the technology should be where it needs to be to move this forward.

 

[The Doctor11]

The Rift is on phase 2 and I think you can just buy either one of them and Apple must have the prototypes. So unless you mean they are waiting to learn from Rift 3's results, I don't know what you mean. Sony's prototype looks better, but I don't think that is publicly available. Samsung is going to release some crappy goggles apparently as well. That gives Apple a lot of data points.

There are also lots of other personal viewer players out there and they haven't taken off. But don't you agree that eventually this is going to be something we will want to have? I can't imagine having Apple's budget and not put at least some of the budget into VR. But my prediction is that this is something that comes out this year or next year. So I'm not hedging on the prediction. It seems like the technology should be where it needs to be to move this forward.

I already want one I just don't think apple has started on it. It's too soon.

 

[Archer_ID]

I agree that Apple will employ a VR Headset. This is the Apple TV that Steve Jobs would lust for. It is a disruptor that moves the TV from a huge screen across the room to revolutionary headsets that can accept regular, HD and AR/VR TV apps--headsets that eventually will utilize the video, aural and olfactory senses to optimize virtual reality.

 

[phrehdd]

Tallman, I'll hold out and see if Apple does tap into the VR headset market but I will disagree about Apple being the lead in this area at any level. Of recent, they are no more ahead of anyone else but come up with little improvements here and there. Various other computer, cell phone and other makers have all items that in some areas are way ahead of Apple.

Apple Router - middle of the line of AC routers, costs near the top for the type of performance it gives.
Laptops - sorry, nothing "advanced" here. We can only talk about the retina screens and that is about it.
Desktops - plenty of competition for iMacs, castrated Mac Minis and the Mac (mini) Pro.
the list goes on.

What Apple does do well is marketing and "packaging" as well as a somewhat closed eco system.

 

[Expidia]

Umm, this is the catalyst that is sure to move VR ahead:

http://mashable.com/2016/01/08/naughty-america-vr-porn-experience/#9EGjx1I8wmqA