2015 CES: Virtual reality devices are moving closer to consumers

The 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2015) will be Las Vegas in the United States, when digital equipment manufacturers from around the world will gather Las Vegas to bring the latest products and technologies, including several start-up and many technology giants will display virtual reality helmet products.

Oculus helmets were a concern at last year's show, and many companies hope to reap similar results this year. Oculus Rift helmet was a humble product, its booth is located in the corner of the exhibition hall, away from the crowd, but Oculus Rift prototype products enough to let you experience realistic 3D game screen. Last March, Facebook spent $2 billion to buy Oculus,oculus rift to enter the main arena of the technology world.

"A huge amount of money is injected into the next generation of Jay Raite technology products," said Jay Wright, vice president of Qualcomm Experience product management. "Wright is responsible for the Qualcomm Vuforia Mobile Vision Platform, which supports developers to develop augmented reality applications for digital glasses (Digital eyewear).

"It not only has the potential to subvert smartphones, but also has the potential to subvert all products with screens." Wright added.

Driven by companies such as Samsung, Sony and Intel, virtual reality technology will be transformed from prototype products into formal consumer products at this year's CES show. Virtual reality technology initially based on the game market, the major companies are looking for "killer application", looking out of the game market, so that the appearance of a slightly clumsy helmet to attract more customers.

Eric Romo, Altspace VR chief executive, said: "The emotional experience of virtual reality communication is impressive." "At this year's CES show, Altspace VR will display virtual reality space, even though it is far away, friends can feel like chatting in the same" room.

Other companies believe that entertainment is the first hot market for virtual reality applications. Jaunt's virtual reality application allows viewers to experience the stage view of the Paul McCartney concert, as well as a panoramic picture of the movie "Hobbit". Last August, Jaunt successfully financed 28 million of billions of dollars, including BSkyB.

"When you put on your helmet and headphones, it feels like you're standing next to McCartney's piano," says Jens Christansen Jens, chief executive of Jaunt. This is indeed a different experience. ”

But there are also concerns about the future of virtual reality programs. Fred Wilson, a well-known venture-Frede Wilson, wrote on his blog that if Oculus and his competitors were unable to impress, virtual reality would suffer from development resistance.

"Virtual reality still needs marketing, but not 2015 years," he said. "said Wilson.

Conversely, some companies are developing different types of head-wear technologies: augmented reality. Oculus helmets like this can completely immerse users in virtual environments, and augmented reality glasses like Google Glass can cover digital images and information for the real world.

Last October, Google (microblogging) and other VC companies to virtual reality technology company Magic Leap to invest 500 million of dollars. Magic Leap is developing a head-and-wear device that covers digital images in the real world. This year Magic Leap does not appear to release consumer products, but the Epson, Osterhout Design Group and other companies will be introduced in the exhibition "to provide high-fidelity digital image of smart glasses."

Over the past six years, Osterhout Design Group has invested $60 million in research and development funds for smart glasses products. Osterhout Design Group, which originally designed military products, has now expanded to other industries, such as giving hands-free instructions or information to people working in hazardous environments.

At the CES show, osterhout Design Group will show the first consumer only glasses products, the price may be less than 1000 dollars, the configuration of high-resolution stereo display and a 5 million-pixel camera, and run the Android system.

Some Silicon Valley insiders predict that Facebook's Oculus long-term plan includes augmented reality and virtual reality technology.

For virtual reality companies that want attention, the CES show provides an important opportunity for viewers to experience new devices on the spot.

"If you want to understand the beauty of such devices, you have to experience them yourself," says Romo of Altspace. ”

(Responsible editor: Lvguang)