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I don't see an overlap between VR and AR, in terms of use-case or technology. I don't get why they'd start competing against Microsoft when they're already be

by anjc 9y ago

I don't see an overlap between VR and AR, in terms of use-case or technology. I don't get why they'd start competing against Microsoft when they're already being dominated in their own VR niche. It almost looks concerning.

sgift 9y ago
> I don't get why they'd start competing against Microsoft when they're already being dominated in their own VR niche. That's an interesting interpretation which doesn't seem to be backed by reality. That aside: It's a research team. They think AR will overtake VR some time in the future, so they research on it.
- anjc 9y ago
  > That's an interesting interpretation which doesn't seem to be backed by reality. Vive is massively outselling the Rift. Considering Oculus were first to market (in the sense that the dev kits were openly sold), and considering that they ostensibly have the backing of Facebook, that seems like a bad sign. And given this, it's concerning (to me) that they're now seemingly shifting resources to AR. And as I said before, AR and VR's uses don't overlap. So it isn't like they need to get a foothold in AR to stay relevant.
  - haydenlee 9y ago
    Source that Vive is "massively outselling"?
    - retromario 9y ago
      It's not. Or at least not anymore. Market shares seem to be equalizing at least according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey: https://www.roadtovr.com/oculus-rift-closes-in-on-steam-majority-market-share/ https://www.roadtovr.com/oculus-rift-closes-in-on-steam-majo...
  - cocktailpeanuts 9y ago
    What does AR and VR usage not overlapping have to do with them not doing research? The technologies DO overlap, so they might as well try to catch two birds with one stone. Oculus doesn't have to make money immediately since they're backed by Facebook, which is a huge leverage. Also even if Vive IS outselling Rift right now, doesn't mean Rift is doomed at all. For now it's enough for them to be in the market and look for opportunities since NONE of the VR companies are turning out to be the next big thing, yet. I'm sure there will come a point when VR will grow extremely fast, but VR itself as an industry is not growing too fast anyway. In this climate it's best to hunker down and do research instead of trying to sell as many devices as possible, so I think they're doing the right thing.
hobofan 9y ago
Some of the upcoming AR headsets have an overlap, as they are basically VR headsets with cameras on the front. I'm personally not a big friend if that, though. There is also a lot of overlap with how to design UX and controls, but that is mostly a problem for the app developers. I agree with the sentiment of your statement though. There is a lot less overlap than most people seem to believe.

by anjc 9y ago

sgift 9y ago

> I don't get why they'd start competing against Microsoft when they're already being dominated in their own VR niche. That's an interesting interpretation which doesn't seem to be backed by reality. That aside: It's a research team. They think AR will overtake VR some time in the future, so they research on it.

anjc 9y ago
> That's an interesting interpretation which doesn't seem to be backed by reality. Vive is massively outselling the Rift. Considering Oculus were first to market (in the sense that the dev kits were openly sold), and considering that they ostensibly have the backing of Facebook, that seems like a bad sign. And given this, it's concerning (to me) that they're now seemingly shifting resources to AR. And as I said before, AR and VR's uses don't overlap. So it isn't like they need to get a foothold in AR to stay relevant.
- haydenlee 9y ago
  Source that Vive is "massively outselling"?
  - retromario 9y ago
    It's not. Or at least not anymore. Market shares seem to be equalizing at least according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey: https://www.roadtovr.com/oculus-rift-closes-in-on-steam-majority-market-share/ https://www.roadtovr.com/oculus-rift-closes-in-on-steam-majo...
- cocktailpeanuts 9y ago
  What does AR and VR usage not overlapping have to do with them not doing research? The technologies DO overlap, so they might as well try to catch two birds with one stone. Oculus doesn't have to make money immediately since they're backed by Facebook, which is a huge leverage. Also even if Vive IS outselling Rift right now, doesn't mean Rift is doomed at all. For now it's enough for them to be in the market and look for opportunities since NONE of the VR companies are turning out to be the next big thing, yet. I'm sure there will come a point when VR will grow extremely fast, but VR itself as an industry is not growing too fast anyway. In this climate it's best to hunker down and do research instead of trying to sell as many devices as possible, so I think they're doing the right thing.

hobofan 9y ago

Some of the upcoming AR headsets have an overlap, as they are basically VR headsets with cameras on the front. I'm personally not a big friend if that, though. There is also a lot of overlap with how to design UX and controls, but that is mostly a problem for the app developers. I agree with the sentiment of your statement though. There is a lot less overlap than most people seem to believe.