How Wearable Gadgets Are Changing the Entertainment Industry

Note (October 2026): An earlier version said gaming consoles and computers had been replaced by VR and AR headsets. That was not accurate: headsets add a new way to play, and PlayStation VR2 itself needs a PS5 or a PC.

Wearable gadgets have changed the entertainment industry mainly through VR and mixed reality headsets, smart glasses and wireless earbuds. Headsets such as Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2 and Apple Vision Pro created a market for immersive games, 3D movies and immersive live sport, while camera glasses let people record and share what they see hands-free. They add to TVs, consoles and phones rather than replacing them.

Key Takeaways

• VR gaming is a real category: Beat Saber sold over 4 million copies by February 2021, and Half-Life: Alyx sold more than two million copies as of 2024, according to Wikipedia.
• Entry prices have fallen: Meta Quest 3S was unveiled at US$299.99 in September 2024, and PlayStation VR2 dropped from US$549.99 to US$399.99 from March 2025.
• Premium headsets push video: Apple says Vision Pro offers hundreds of 3D movies and Apple Immersive content, including select live Lakers games in the team’s broadcast territory.
• Smart glasses moved from cameras to displays: Meta Ray-Ban Display launched in the US on September 30, 2025, starting at US$799 with a wristband controller.
• Consoles and PCs were not replaced; most wearables add a new screen or a new control method.

Wearable gadgets have come a long way in recent years and are increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. From fitness trackers to smartwatches, wearable technology has not only made our lives more convenient and efficient but has also impacted the entertainment industry in numerous ways.

Each of these device types has affected the entertainment industry in a different way, from immersive games and 3D films to hands-free video and personal audio. This guide explains the main wearable categories, the products that defined each one, and what they have actually changed for players, viewers and listeners.

Now we can find a huge number of wearable gadgets on the market:

• Smartwatches: A smartwatch is a wearable device that functions like a traditional watch but has many additional features, such as fitness tracking, text messaging, phone calls, and mobile app compatibility.
• Fitness Trackers: Fitness trackers are wearable devices that are designed to help individuals track their fitness and health metrics, such as steps taken, heart rate, and calories burned.
• Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs): HMDs, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets, are wearable devices that allow users to experience immersive virtual environments or to superimpose digital elements in the real world.
• Hearables: Hearables are wearable devices that are designed to be worn in or on the ear, such as earbuds and smart earpieces. They often have features such as noise cancellation, voice control, and audio-enhancement.
• Smart Clothing: Smart clothing refers to wearable technology that is integrated into clothing or accessories, such as fitness-tracking shirts or smart gloves.
• Smart Glasses: Smart glasses are wearable devices that have a display and often have features such as augmented reality, hands-free communication, and heads-up information.
• Body Sensors: Body sensors are wearable devices that are designed to monitor and track various physiological metrics, such as heart rate, temperature, and movement.

Gadgets and entertainment

And one of the most significant impacts of wearable gadgets on entertainment has been the rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences. With wearable gadgets such as VR headsets, users can now experience immersive virtual environments that bring games and movies to life.

AR, on the other hand, allows users to superimpose digital elements in the real world, adding a new level of interaction and engagement. This has opened up new opportunities for entertainment companies to create unique and captivating experiences that blur the lines between the virtual and physical worlds.

Wearable gadgets have also transformed the way we consume media and access information. With smartwatches and other wearable devices, we no longer have to rely on our phones or computers to stay connected. We can now receive notifications, listen to music, and even make calls right from our wrists. This has made it easier for people to stay connected and entertained on the go without having to constantly pull out their phones.

New game boundaries

In the gaming industry, wearable gadgets have also had a significant impact. Gaming consoles and computers have not been replaced by wearable devices. VR and mixed reality headsets add a second way to play: PlayStation VR2 connects to a PS5 (or a PC through an adapter), while standalone headsets such as Meta Quest 3 run games on their own.

With these devices, players can now immerse themselves in their favourite games and interact with their virtual environments in a more natural and intuitive way. This has not only made gaming more engaging but has also created new opportunities for game developers to create innovative and exciting experiences.

In conclusion, the impact of wearable gadgets on the entertainment industry has been profound. From virtual and augmented reality experiences to the ease of accessing media on the go, wearable technology has transformed the way we consume and engage with entertainment.

As technology continues to advance, it is exciting to see how wearable gadgets will continue to shape the entertainment industry and change the way we experience and interact with our favourite media.

Which Wearable Gadgets Matter Most for Entertainment?

Not every wearable has the same effect. The table below summarizes the main categories, a representative product for each, and the entertainment use it is known for. Prices are US launch prices as reported by the maker or by Wikipedia; current prices vary by retailer and country.

How Have VR Headsets Changed Gaming?

VR headsets created games that only work when the player is inside the scene. Half-Life: Alyx, released by Valve on March 23, 2020, is VR-exclusive; Valve said it had no plans for a non-VR version. The game won Best VR/AR at The Game Awards 2020 and had sold more than two million copies as of 2024, according to Wikipedia.

Rhythm games became the category’s biggest hits. Beat Saber, developed by Beat Games, entered early access on May 1, 2018 and launched fully on May 21, 2019. Facebook, through Oculus Studios, acquired Beat Games in November 2019. By February 2021 the game had sold over 4 million copies, and 40 million songs had been sold through paid downloadable content.

Console VR showed both the potential and the limits. Sony reported in May 2023 that slightly less than 600,000 PlayStation VR2 units were sold in the first six weeks. In March 2024 Bloomberg reported that Sony had paused PS VR2 production after making well over 2 million units, and on February 27, 2025 Sony announced a lower US price of US$399.99 starting in March 2025. For a broader introduction to the technology, see what virtual reality is and how it works.

How Are Wearables Changing Movies, TV and Live Sport?

Headsets have become personal cinemas. Apple says Apple Vision Pro gives access to hundreds of 3D movies in the Apple TV app and supports 180-degree, 360-degree and wide field-of-view video from action cameras.

Live sport is the newest use. When it announced the M5 version of Vision Pro on October 15, 2025, Apple said viewers in the Los Angeles Lakers’ broadcast territory would be able to watch select live games in Apple Immersive format. Apple also listed upcoming Apple Immersive titles from partners including BBC, HYBE, Red Bull and Audi F1.

Content gaps still matter. At the Vision Pro launch, Netflix, Spotify and YouTube said they would not release visionOS apps, according to Wikipedia, so what a headset can show depends heavily on which streaming services support it.

How Are Smart Glasses Changing Content Creation?

Camera glasses turn the wearer into a hands-free creator. Ray-Ban Meta glasses, released on October 17, 2023, added an improved camera and microphone, water resistance, longer recording times and a Meta AI voice interface compared with the 2021 Ray-Ban Stories.

Display glasses go a step further. Meta says Meta Ray-Ban Display, sold with the Meta Neural Band wristband, shows a full-color display off to the side of the wearer’s view for messages, photo previews and translations. The wristband reads muscle signals so the user can swipe or pinch to control the glasses. Meta lists up to six hours of mixed use, or up to 30 hours in total with the charging case.

What Do Smartwatches and Earbuds Add?

Smartwatches and earbuds change how entertainment is controlled and heard rather than what is shown. A smartwatch can control music playback and show notifications, while wireless earbuds with noise cancellation make mobile listening and gaming more private. If you are choosing a pair, read the case for upgrading to wireless earbuds or headphones and how to make earbuds more comfortable for long sessions.

Limits and Downsides to Know

• Price: Apple Vision Pro starts at US$3,499, about seven times the launch price of a 128 GB Meta Quest 3.
• Content support: Netflix, Spotify and YouTube did not launch visionOS apps with Vision Pro, so check that the services you use are available before buying.
• Battery life: Meta lists up to six hours of mixed use for Meta Ray-Ban Display, so wearables still need regular charging.
• Platform lock-in: PS VR2 needs a PS5 (or the PC adapter for supported PC titles), and Quest games are bought in Meta’s store.
• Privacy: camera glasses can record other people; follow local laws and venue rules on filming.

How to Choose a Wearable for Entertainment

1. Decide the main use: games, movies, music, or capturing your own video.
2. Match the platform you already own: a PS5 points to PS VR2; no console or PC points to a standalone headset such as Quest 3 or Quest 3S.
3. Check that your streaming apps and favorite games support the device.
4. Compare current prices at retailers, since launch prices change (PS VR2 fell from US$549.99 to US$399.99).
5. Try the fit and comfort in a store or at a VR experience venue before buying.

For the background of the category, see the history of wearable technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest impact of wearable gadgets on entertainment?

The biggest impact is immersive media: VR and mixed reality headsets let people play games and watch films from inside the scene. VR-only titles such as Half-Life: Alyx, which won Best VR/AR at The Game Awards 2020, would not exist without headsets.

Have VR headsets replaced gaming consoles?

No. VR headsets add a new way to play rather than replacing consoles and PCs. PlayStation VR2 needs a PS5, or a PC through an adapter released on August 7, 2024.

What is the cheapest way to try VR gaming?

Among the headsets covered here, Meta Quest 3S had the lowest launch price: US$299.99 for 128 GB when Meta unveiled it on September 25, 2024. It is standalone, so it does not need a console or PC. Prices vary by retailer.

Can you watch movies on Apple Vision Pro?

Yes. Apple says Vision Pro offers hundreds of 3D movies in the Apple TV app plus Apple Immersive films and series. Netflix, Spotify and YouTube did not release visionOS apps at launch.

What can Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses do?

Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses show a small full-color display for messages, photo previews, translations and Meta AI. They are controlled with the Meta Neural Band wristband and launched in the US on September 30, 2025, starting at US$799.

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