New virtual reality gadgets and signs of funding slowdown are among week’s L.A. tech highlights
As it stands now, virtual reality headgear from Facebook-owned Oculus VR will start arriving on doorsteps March 28 for $599. The Vive will reach consumers’ hands beginning a few days later for $799. Sony’s PlayStation VR headset is likely to be more affordable when it goes on sale later this year. Google, Apple, LG and others are working on fancier virtual reality viewers too.
Virtual reality has excited traditional entertainment companies too. On Tuesday, ABC’s “Good Morning America” plans to stream to virtual reality viewers a live feed of animals “in their natural habit” in Tanzania.
That follows a virtual reality stream Sunday of the Daytona 500 auto-racing event, which kicked off a five-year agreement struck last week between broadcaster Fox Sports and Laguna Beach-based technology provider NextVR to bring more sports to VR headsets.
They noted the growth in “bridge rounds,” or financing deals smaller than what a company has previously raised.
Essentially, the companies are looking to buy time to reach sales levels or other key milestones that would make them more attractive to buyers or investors seeking to write bigger checks.
See the full story here: http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-virtual-reality-la-tech-funding-20160222-story.html