A new report from IHS Markit estimates that Samsung will sell 4.1 million Gear VR units by the end of the year. The report also says that the tech giant is on pace to sell 10 million headsets by 2018. The Gear VR sold 5 million units from its launch in 2014 through 2016. IHS is also estimating that Google has sold 120,000 units through 2016, with 2.3 million selling in 2017. This report is significant as the companies have been relative quiet about the sales totals of their mobile VR headsets. Google has not reported any sales figures. In January, Samsung confirmed that it has sold 5 million units to date, but has not provided any other figures. — UPLOADVR
A London-based startup is working on AR-integrated banner ads. Blippar is working with automotive brands to launch a banner ad that shows the image of the inside of the car that can be engaged with. Users can move their phone around to see different parts of the car's interior. Users can also give the app permission to access their camera, where they can see their real-life surroundings through the virtual windshield and windows of the car. The company believes that through unique experiences, like AR, consumers are more likely to engage with banner ads. According to Business Insider, Blippar has gone through several pivots since it was founded as an AR company in 2010. — FORBES
James Walker, a computer science lecturer at Michigan Technical University, has created a physical keyboard that works in VR. When connected, a virtual keyboard on the screen lets the user see what keys they typed on the physical keyboard. “Typing in midair is very fatiguing. Our solution is noteworthy because it enables people to continue using their physical peripherals, which gives the best performance, and it doesn't need any extra hardware or require superimposing a video feed into the virtual environment,” Walker told Phys. This keyboard application can be quite useful for VR work initiatives. — PHYS
The Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore has tested the use of VR for ultrasounds. The typical process of an ultrasound is performed, but instead of seeing the results on a screen, the doctor can see an up-close, multidimensional view through a VR headset. According to research firm Global Industry Analysts, the VR healthcare market is expected to reach $3.8 billion worldwide by 2020. — BALTIMORE SUN
Sony has increased production of its PlayStation VR headset to meet increased demand. The headset has been a hit by the company's standards, at a time where many have seen consumer interest in VR as low. Sony had originally projected it would sell one million units by mid-April, but almost reached that figure in February. “It is still very early days, but we have a better feel for the demand for VR gaming and so we are planning to increase production,” Simon Benson, director of Sony’s Immersive Technology Group, told MCV. -- UPLOADVR
Cleveland Indians’ third baseman Jose Ramirez fell out of a chair while watching a VR video. The MLB player strapped on a Samsung Galaxy VR headset, when he became noticeably scared by the video he was watching on the screen. We have yet to learn what video he was watching. Ramirez then fell out of his chair, while his teammates laughed along. The video was posted onto teammate Danny Salazar’s Instagram account. You can watch the video here. — FOX SPORTS
Have a story or tip you'd like to share to our Inside VR & AR team? Reply to this email to share!
Did we get anything wrong or miss a story? We realize that many of our readers are smarter and more informed than we are – so please hit reply and let us know when we miss something!