Annual prediction - 2022

It’s time for my annual prediction that I almost always get wrong.

In 2021, I predicted we’d see increased use of asynchronous video messaging in the workplace. While asynchronous video messaging use didn’t increase as much as I thought it would, it did go up. Slack rolled out an asynchronous video messaging feature. Also, ZipMessage (a tool we use for listener questions at Startup to Last) appears to have had a breakout year.

In 2022, my prediction centers around virtual reality (VR). Specifically, I think we’ll see mass adoption of VR headsets this year by U.S. households. Americans can now buy an Oculus Quest for around $300 and it comes ready to play right out of the box. This is a huge leap forward both in terms of price and systems requirements. The price is comparable to other leading entertainment platforms (e.g. PlayStation and Xbox). And you no longer need an expensive computer setup to power the software and sensors.

There are still significant drawbacks to the VR experience. The battery life on the new Quest is limited. Also, the headset is uncomfortable. It begins to hurt after you wear it for a while and it causes many people motion sickness.

Despite these limitations, the experience is entertaining and immersive. As more households shift “screen time” from televisions and computers to VR headsets, I think we’ll see innovation beyond my imagination.

Have thoughts on this topic? I'd love to hear from you! I'm @RickLindquist on Twitter.