The VR and XR market is a niche industry, far from achieving mainstream success. Despite the hype surrounding new headsets like Apple's M5 Vision Pro, Samsung Galaxy XR, and Valve's Steam Frame, sales figures don't paint a rosy picture. In 2024, only about 400,000 Vision Pro headsets were shipped by Apple, largely due to their steep $3,500 price tag. Meta, on the other hand, has managed to ship roughly 5.6 million of its more affordable headsets, but this is dwarfed by the billions of smartphones sold during the same time frame.
Industry analysts predict that only about 5-6% of total VR shipments in 2024 will be premium headsets priced over $1,000. However, companies like Meta and Apple are committed to investing heavily in these technologies, despite concerns that consumers may not be ready for mainstream adoption. The truth is, most people who do buy these headsets are developers, business users, or enthusiasts who see the potential benefits of VR and XR technology, even if it's not yet ready for prime time.
The real use cases for these headsets lie in industries like healthcare, education, and enterprise, where they can offer significant productivity gains. Doctors could use Vision Pros to replace multiple monitors in operating rooms, while radiologists could benefit from 3D models of scans. Businesses are also exploring ways to utilize these headsets for training and remote work.
However, there are still challenges ahead. The headsets themselves are often uncomfortable, expensive, or limited by software. Developers and businesses need to invest time and resources into creating apps and experiences that take full advantage of these technologies. And some companies have a history of underinvesting in projects or prematurely pulling the plug.
For enthusiasts like Ruby Voigt, owning a piece of tech history is enough. They're willing to pay a premium for the novelty and exclusivity of VR and XR headsets, even if they may not be suitable for mainstream adoption just yet.
Industry analysts predict that only about 5-6% of total VR shipments in 2024 will be premium headsets priced over $1,000. However, companies like Meta and Apple are committed to investing heavily in these technologies, despite concerns that consumers may not be ready for mainstream adoption. The truth is, most people who do buy these headsets are developers, business users, or enthusiasts who see the potential benefits of VR and XR technology, even if it's not yet ready for prime time.
The real use cases for these headsets lie in industries like healthcare, education, and enterprise, where they can offer significant productivity gains. Doctors could use Vision Pros to replace multiple monitors in operating rooms, while radiologists could benefit from 3D models of scans. Businesses are also exploring ways to utilize these headsets for training and remote work.
However, there are still challenges ahead. The headsets themselves are often uncomfortable, expensive, or limited by software. Developers and businesses need to invest time and resources into creating apps and experiences that take full advantage of these technologies. And some companies have a history of underinvesting in projects or prematurely pulling the plug.
For enthusiasts like Ruby Voigt, owning a piece of tech history is enough. They're willing to pay a premium for the novelty and exclusivity of VR and XR headsets, even if they may not be suitable for mainstream adoption just yet.
I think it's interesting that people are willing to shell out top dollar for these high-end headsets simply because they can - there's something almost nostalgic about owning cutting-edge tech. But at the same time, it's hard not to wonder if we're investing too much in a niche market that's still trying to find its footing 
. I mean, 400k Vision Pro headsets sold in 2024? That's just a drop in the bucket compared to smartphone sales. Still, it's good to see companies like Meta and Apple pushing forward with these technologies - who knows what innovative applications they'll enable down the line? 
But let's be real, 400k Vision Pro headsets sold ain't exactly a numbers game changer 
The real winners here are devs, biz users & enthusiasts who see the potential benefits 
Not to mention industries like healthcare & education that can really make use of these techs 
like $3,500?! That's crazy! And don't even get me started on the software, it's still super limited. I mean, sure, they're great for devs and business users, but what about regular people? They can barely handle a 4K TV or gaming console, let alone some fancy VR headset 
. And have you seen those Samsung Galaxy XR headsets? The specs look so similar to the Apple Vision Pro, but at half the price 
and some ppl will def pay $3k for it like ruby 
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. But seriously, VR and XR tech is still in its wild west phase, and companies are throwing down cash to make it happen. I'm not saying we'll all be donning Oculus goggles anytime soon, but for developers and biz users, these things could be the future of productivity 
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. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love gaming too, but it's just not my main thing. And the headsets themselves seem kinda limited by software... have they thought about how we're gonna use them in our daily lives? Like, what if you just wanna watch YouTube or something? 
Anyway, I guess that's just part of being a tech enthusiast... we're always eager for innovation and progress! 
. VR and XR are going to revolutionize industries like healthcare and education, that's for sure 
. And yeah, maybe not everyone will be ready for mainstream adoption yet... but that's just a convenient excuse to keep us from getting too excited 
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. That's the kind of innovation we need more of 
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. Enthusiasts like Ruby Voigt are willing to pay top dollar for the novelty and exclusivity... but I'm keeping a close eye on this whole thing 
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People are still willing to shell out $3k for a headset that's basically just a fancy computer with a weird screen 
. Yeah, we get it, $3k headsets aren't for the masses 
.