The much-hyped virtual reality headset, the Oculus Rift, is here, and it has started shipping to customers who have pre-ordered the device. Though the system's game library, as well as numerous aspects of the system itself, are works in progress, users of the system have reached a consensus on one thing: the Oculus Rift provides an experience unlike any other device before it.
While it's true that low-cost virtual reality headsets such as Samsung's Gear VR (which is, notably, also developed by Oculus) and the hyper-affordable Google Cardboard, users of the Rift have noted that the device takes virtual reality to a completely new level. Using the Rift basically takes users into a world of virtual reality that is smooth and polished, far more than any other VR system before it.
In a lot of ways, the users' reactions to the Oculus Rift system were predicted by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. When Facebook acquired the virtual reality startup for $2 billion two years ago, Zuckerberg described the different applications that VR could offer consumers.
"People who try it say it's different from anything they've ever experienced in their lives. But this is just the start. Imagine enjoying a courtside seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face, just by putting on goggles in your home," Zuckerberg said.
What is particularly interesting with mainstream users' reactions to the Rift system is the fact that the system's notable uses go far beyond gaming. In fact, while games are, of course, the primary selling point of the whole Oculus Rift experience, users have positively commented on just how much more immersive movies became when paired with the Rift system.
Of course, numerous online streaming services such as Netflix have already invested in media consumption through virtual reality. Currently, Netflix subscribers could enjoy the streaming giant's entire catalog of content through the Oculus Rift, allowing users to view their favorite series and movies in a setting of their choice. Users have already commented on how much fun it was to watch movies on the "big screen" through the Rift headset, or how quirky it was to watch a film while lounging on a paradise island.
The virtual reality market is just beginning to warm up, with capable devices and equally capable systems being released for public consumption. Though no one could really predict the future of virtual reality years down the road, it does seem quite safe to assume that with the Oculus Rift's release, the virtual reality world is off to a pretty great start.
