Where VR is Headed in 2023

Today, there is a wide range of headsets available for customers to experience virtual reality. People can use their smartphones to experience VR and AR or get standalone VR headsets for high quality and performance which creates unmatched VR experiences. The field of VR is still growing, and 2023 is going to be another big year for VR. Here is what you can expect in the VR world in the coming year.

A metaverse is a concept for the future of the internet that is immersive and interactive. It envisions a virtual reality where people create personalities of their choice and collaborate with each other. The metaverse is supposed to provide a next-level user experience that’s unlike anything users are used to. However, there is no clear consensus on what this metaverse experience will look or feel like.

2023 will be a challenging yet exciting year for the metaverse as it might be decisive for the direction of the internet's future. Mark Zuckerberg, whose company Facebook changed its name to Meta, believes VR/AR will be at the center while people working on web3 platforms consider blockchain and decentralization as significant parts of the internet’s future.

To ensure Mark Zuckerberg's vision is realized, Meta has invested more than $10 billion in metaverse projects. Meta's metaverse platform Horizon Worlds is already being launched in select countries. In August, the company launched it in France and Spain with Mark posting an underwhelming avatar selfie and later posting a better one to let people know Horizon Worlds is capable of delivering quality graphics. While the mistake was rectified, it made the skepticism of the users very clear. The internet’s criticism of metaverse will have to be taken as feedback by Meta to set better goals for marketing, communications, and most important of all user experience.

2023 is going to see multiple new headsets coming to the markets in low-cost and premium segments with better optics, screens and processors. With the VR headset shipments set to cross 20 million units in 2023, there will be many new users looking for options in the VR market. To address the demand, market leaders Meta and Sony are bringing the next generation of their popular headsets to the market. Users are especially waiting to get their hands on Meta Quest 3 and Sony PlayStation VR 2.

However, the leaders will face new competition from the well-known disruptor Apple. Apple’s mixed reality headset which has already been called a “game-changer” by analysts is expected to debut in January, 2023 so users won’t have to wait for too long. Apple has been developing an AR experience as well and Apple Glass, a lightweight AR headset will be coming later on to help it disrupt the AR/VR market further.

The VR world is ready for a new year with improved headsets and new competitions jumping in. The year will be crucial for the VR headset market in case the mixed reality experience of Apple can win the users. In such a case, all other VR headset producers will be looking to replicate the experience and Apple will have a new market for it to lead.

Virtual reality has a rapidly growing market with dozens of applications. The entertainment applications are the most popular ones but 2023 will see more enterprises and industries bringing VR technology into their operations. The use of VR for collaborations between remotely working employees, for creating simulations for studying working environments, training employees and building virtual shopping experiences will continue to be tested in new industries.

The research and development in the aerospace and manufacturing industry is also a huge avenue for VR. Just the manufacturing industry applications of VR are predicted to reach $2.8 billion by 2023. With Industry 4.0 developments, AR and VR find an environment where they can thrive. The digitized factories offer VR all the data and designs to get integrated into the systems easily and find widespread applications.

Apart from the research and development, VR brands are going to attract companies that want employees to continue work from home but also be as close to the action as possible. The same goes for training and skill-development where VR can bring down the investment and risks associated with physical training with expensive equipment.

Virtual reality is set to grow exponentially in the coming decade considering the last few years' developments. 2023 will play a pivotal role in deciding the path VR takes in its journey to becoming the future of the internet. Keep an eye on Apple, industrial applications and metaverse as they'll be the biggest newsmakers in the coming year.

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