Virtual reality product sales fail to hit expectations

Analysts predict the rush to enter the virtual reality and augmented reality market will likely lead to a lot of disappointment as the market isn't mature enough to support many players. DigiTimes reports sales number of VR products in 2016 were weaker than expected due to lack of content and the high price of the devices. The site adds that Sony PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and the Samung Gear VR all achieved sales weaker than market expectations, and predicts it will take more time before the VR/AR market may see robust growth.

It will take more time before the VR/AR market may begin enjoying robust growth, and such a slower-than-expected development is putting pressure on firms that have invested resources into related development, such as HTC, which is seeing decreasing share in the worldwide smartphone market while its Vive has yet to start contributing profits. The year of 2017 could be a difficult one for HTC.

There are also some updates about upcoming devices from traditional PC players. Asustek for instance is expected to introduce the ZenFone AR at CES 2017, with a product availability in February at the earliest. This smartphone will use the Google Tango system, but ASUS is also working on an all-in-one VR head-mounted device with built-in cameras and sensors. You can expect it sometime in Q3 2017.

Acer is cooperating with VR players, the company invested in IMAX VR Content Fund and has a collaboration with Swedish game studio Starbreeze to jointly develop the StarVR headset. Sometime next quarter Acer plans to release a VR headset based on the Windows Holographics platform.