Oculus Rift virtual headset launch set for 2016

Facebook’s Oculus will launch the long-awaited consumer version of its Rift virtual reality headset early next year, missing the 2015 holiday sales season but allowing more time for developers to come up with the “killer app” that the device has so far lacked.

The release could mark the development of a new technology sector that analysts believe could be worth tens of billions of dollars in the next five years. No pricing details were disclosed but Oculus said customers could start placing orders later this year before the device began shipping in the first quarter of 2016.