Trouble for VR? Facebook ending slew of Oculus demos in Best Buys
Facebook is shutting down hundreds of Oculus Rift virtual reality demo stations at Best Buy stores across the United States.
Is this a sign that people are just not that into virtual reality?
A report from Business Insider indicates it's due to low interest from customers.
And some Best Buy workers said it was common for days to go by without anyone getting a demo of the headset.
Out of 500 demo stations, 200 are closing.
An internal memo obtained by Business Insider says the closings were because of, quote, store performance.
An office spokeswoman attributed the closings to, quote, seasonal changes.
And that the companies gonna be looking at other local events and retail spots to demo Oculus.
It could have been more than just lack of interest.
In the report, some sources were suggesting that no one was trying it out because of bugs or sometimes it wasn't clear on how to use it.
It is worth noting that in Best Buy's third quarter earning statement in November, the CEO said the chain had given 300,000 virtual reality demos.
Although, that number was not specific to oculist, it also include demo Most of other headsets like Samsung's Gear VR.
If the best way to understand virtuality is to try it yourself but no one is trying it out, then Facebook is going to have to come up with other ways to get people interested in the technology.
Best Buy is still selling Oculus in stores.
It starts at $600.00, and the touch controllers are another $200.00.
Of course, that's provided you already own a high end computer to run the VR program.
Stay plugged into the latest NVR at cnet.com.