Facebook to launch consumer VR units in next year

Facebook's virtual-reality unit Oculus has announced that it will sell a consumer version of its Rift headset in the first quarter of 2016, Reuters reported. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion last year, aiming to tap into a next-generation of online gaming.

Pre-orders for the headset will start later this year. Previous versions were aimed at games and apps developers and industry commentators had expected a consumer version by the end of 2015.

"In the weeks ahead, we'll be revealing the details around hardware, software, input, and many of our unannounced made-for-VR games and experiences coming to the Rift," the company said in a blog post.

The gaming industry is obviously investing heavily in VR, but they won’t be the only industry affected by this emerging technology. The repercussions are going to be felt far and wide, across a range of seemingly unrelated industries.

Selling and renting properties could become a much easier affair in the future. Not only would you not have to make appointments, but you wouldn’t need to travel either. With effective 3D mapping you could put on a VR device and walk around a property you’re interested in.

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