How Will Virtual-Reality Shopping Impact Small Sellers?

by: Rexford

We heard the same things about the Segway.  It was going to change the world.  Time magazine called it one of the biggest failures of all time.

Time will tell. The fact that a Samsung smart phone will be required to operate a headset is a little puzzling.

by: RCL

I think this will take. And places like Etsy and eBay will make it work for sellers. Our "stores" will just have store fronts.

by: Basset

But will colors be exact or look different when the item is in front of you.

by: Orwellwasright

Total bullcrap

I've been hearing about ''virtual reality '' since the 70's, in 40 years there has been virtually(pun intended) no advancement

Not even close to being an actual reality

technology nowhere near close to a mass market infusion

And don't forget if and when VR shopping actually works you would have to reformat and reconfigure everything to conform to VR requirements

Maybe my unborn grandchildren will one day shop in a virtual walmart (shudder) but not in my lifetime

by: gizmo

I can think of several reasons , this idea is just plain stupid .VR was a joke in the 80s , & still is. Ridiculous!

by: P.Dorf

LOL

don't know if google are taking the p*ss, but for $5 or free download.

https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/

fraction of the cost. sorted

by: Eric Saeger

Meh. Forget avatars -- I'm sure the first wave of this stuff will look like the virtual makeup segments of "Love Lust or Run," where the shopper sees themselves wearing the color/style. Thus it's most likely relegated to fashion.

Of course, it might be farther off.  Around 1999 I was with a software group that was predicting the imminent takeover of all telephone communications by VOIP. Take a wild guess whether or not a newly minted MBA was leading the charge.

by: Ming the Merciless

Excuse me, but I seriously doubt that majority of consumers even know or understand what virtual reality is.

Maybe a few early adopters, techies, and "Matrix" film fans.

Obviously a marketing ploy to sell Samsung smartphones.

The last e gadget I saw that resembled this device was a DVD screen built into a pair of wraparounds like this one.

How long did that last?

Samsung should eventually offer an iPhone version as well if it the idea doesn't flop.

More eye candy for the me centered, entitled generations to admire themselves in high end fashion, on furniture and homes they can't afford, or in cars they can't afford because they're too busy spending discretionary income on the latest tech device, garish tattoos, and lattes.

by: Rexford

Ming post reminds me of the fate of Google glass.

Just because it sounds great doesn't mean that it will be.  And the backlash against Google glass, well I'm guessing that wasn't expected.

by: BB2

My prediction... No. It's not ready for prime time. But, it is inevitable... or some technology very much like it.

Give it another 5 years. We'll be talking about it on eCommerceBytes. By then, beta testers and early adopters will have worked out many of the kinks. Software manufacturers will start releasing products that make simulated VR easy for the online seller. It will be part of the next wave of innovation online sellers will need to incorporate in their business model, or they'll risk falling off the evolution bandwagon.

Eye candy doesn't interest me. I am a 50-something looking to stay in business over the long haul.

by: BargainzBabylon

It's the return of the ViewMaster!

by: Twisted Sticks

I think this is so beyond stupid but then I am a senior adult. Maybe for the younger crowd.  

by: iwasjoe

I can see this working for the lard butts to big or to lazy to get in a car and go to the store. I have a hard time looking thru a pair of binoculars. But I fall in the line of old far-s. and think this idea of not being able to wait till I get home to search for what I want on a 32" monitor on Bonanza is silly.
We have enough trouble with using a phone while driving don't think we need to add VR to it. .  

by: quirkyantiques

I HAVE the oculus Rift DK2 and let me tell you-it seems like we are FAR away from it being a household norm. I have a top of the line gaming laptop-the Razer Blade pro and it's much bally-hooed top end nividea GeForce graphics card is NOT fully compatible-what the heck....
I either have to BUY a dedicated system now just to run the thing or throw away $350. Unimpressed....

by: Donna G

If it does work and become the norm. People will use their avatar to shop. Find the name brand style, size, and color they want  . . . and then go to eBay to find it cheaper. Just like they do now. Hopefully.