Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, is optimistic about the future of virtual reality (VR) and sees it going big.
Wozniak shared his thoughts and excitement about virtual reality at a conference last month in Lexington, Kentucky, where was honored with the Alltech Humanitarian Award.
The chief scientists at Primary Data revealed that Wonziak is intrigued by virtual reality and particularly enjoyed using the Gear VR headset from Apple's rival Samsung. Wozniak waxed eloquent about the immersive experience the Gear VR headset - which costs $99 a pop - offers users, revealing that it makes him "emotional."
"It takes you to other worlds. It's so real. It's everywhere you look. That one gets me emotional," noted the Apple co-founder.
Wozniak's positive thoughts about the Samsung Gear VR headset, which is compatible with select Samsung smartphones such as the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5, would suggest that he is among the lucky ones who do not get nauseous when using the device. Luckily for the Apple co-founder, the experience makes him more sensitized.
Wozniak is also of the belief that virtual reality will be a game changer and alter the way people perceive things. It could be a hit or a miss, but leave an impact irrespective of the outcome.
"Virtual reality is going to have a big future. It could die like 3D TV. But there will be a lot of games possible and that's enough to make the market work. Today the smartest electronic chips are made for video games," revealed Wozniak.
Since Wozniak is so gung-ho about virtual reality, he is hoping that Apple also has something that could knock the socks off the competition up its sleeve. It seems that the fact that Cupertino-based company is yet to release a VR device makes him a tad sad.
"I hope Apple is working on a VR that's advanced compared to the ones we're seeing," he said.
His statement should not be taken as confirmation that Apple has a VR device in the works as Wozniak affirmed he is not privy to Apple's future plans for the technology.
Whether an Apple VR headset is on the company's priority list is anybody's guess, especially considering that it seems to channeling all its focus on self-driving cars and smartwatches.
While VR may be the next big thing, if one were to take an educated guess, Apple is possibly waiting for the technology to become more developed before it takes the plunge. That said, Apple may well surprise us all at the WWDC next week!
Photo: Ed Schipul | Flickr
