{"id":6047,"date":"2017-04-28T19:03:19","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T23:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-digit\/submission\/amazon-behind-on-the-vr-chasm\/"},"modified":"2017-04-28T19:06:07","modified_gmt":"2017-04-28T23:06:07","slug":"amazon-behind-on-the-vr-chasm","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-digit\/submission\/amazon-behind-on-the-vr-chasm\/","title":{"rendered":"Amazon \u2013 behind on the VR chasm?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amazon is probably the only big tech company that hasn\u2019t announced its place regarding virtual or augmented reality yet. Google earlier launched Google Glass and later have launched a number of hardware products \u2013 Daydream, Cardboard, Jump, etc. After acquiring Oculus in 2014, Facebook recently launched[1]<\/a> Facebook Spaces to allow people to hang out in a virtual space and look at 360 degree photos and videos. Microsoft\u2019s Hololens, HTC\u2019s Vive, Samsung\u2019s Gear VR, Sony\u2019s Playstation VR are other examples of big tech companies feeling the thrust to make it big in VR\/AR space. Despite that Aamzon has been quite so far about its plans. Recently, media[2]<\/a> picked up on an Amazon job posting for \u2018Creative Director, Virtual Reality\u2019 which indicates towards Amazon move into the space very soon.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s look at what $445B market cap Amazon, with over $100B+ revenues in online retail, can command leadership in various segments:<\/p>\n

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  1. Videos:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Amazon has been taking on Youtube and Netflix with it\u2019s Amazon Video product. Gradually, Amazon has entered content creation too with the launch of Amazon Video Direct[3]<\/a>, through which anyone can create and upload video on Amazon Videos, and earn royalties on hours of streaming. It has also launched its Video-on-Demand channel, Amazon Strike[4]<\/a>. Amazon can further strengthen its presence in the space by launching VR videos \u2013 either a platform or video themselves. This will compete against Youtube that launched[5]<\/a> its standalone VR[6]<\/a> app in 2016, or to Netflix VR. Amazon, with the lack of its own hardware, will have to be compatible with one of the device manufacturers or launch one on its own to capture the most value. Launching a platform that allows creators to create and upload VR videos helps it crate value for them by charging its prime customers for the video streaming.<\/p>\n

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    1. Fashion: <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Amazon has revealed its plans to take on fashion giants with the launch of Amazon Echo Look[7]<\/a>, the personal style assistant, on top of its existing Alexa technology. With it, I can ask Alexa to take a photo in a particular outfit and ask for expert advice.<\/p>\n