What Happened
Microsoft unveiled a series of new hardware products at its press event in New York City earlier today, and one particular announcement caught our eye. The company has so far been absent in the booming virtual reality field, focusing its energy on mixed reality championed by its HoloLens instead. That changes today as the Mountain View-based company announced that it is working with several manufacturer partners that so far include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer to release several standalone, Windows 10-compatible VR headsets starting at $299. Microsoft also showcased a ‘HoloTour’ VR app which takes users on Street View-like virtual tours around the world.
What Brands Should Do
At the moment, most VR headsets are tethered to desktop or mobile devices, so it will be interesting to see how powerful Microsoft’s standalone VR headsets will be. With consumers becoming increasingly familiar with VR and now Microsoft reading to push affordable VR headsets into the mainstream consumer market, brands that wish to stay ahead of the curve should start working with content creators to develop engaging branded VR content.
The Lab currently has four VR headsets — an Oculus Rift, an HTC Vive, and two Samsung Gear VRs — ready for demos. Virtual reality is something that has to be experienced to be understood, so come by the Lab and ask for a VR demo to get a hands-on experience and figure out how your brand can use it to excite and engage with consumers.
Source: The Verge
