Virtual reality headset expected to hit the shops later this year
While Facebook isn’t at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week, the virtual reality headset startup Oculus that it acquired last year for $2bn (£1.32bn) is very much present – and its booth drew some of the longest lines of the show.
Oculus remained coy at CES yesterday about the release date for its headset, the so-called Rift which has so far remained primarily focused on video gaming applications.
However, some analysts expect a consumer launch later this year, with the Rift potentially becoming a key driver of Facebook’s share price by 2020.
“Our recent survey suggests consumers are impressed with the current developers version of Oculus Rift, and are willing to pay for it,” said Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster in a note earlier this week.
Munster said he expected a December quarter 2015 release for the Rift, with an overweight rating and a target price of $82 for Facebook’s stock.
Last night stock in the social network closed at just over $76 per share.