I had a Windows Mobile phone in 2005 (One of the earlier O2 XDA models, from memory) and it certainly fell into the gestation phase. Email was passable if you were connected to an Exchange server, but tapping out long responses with the stylus was a chore. It was definitely possible to browse the web, but the prevailing Windows-style point and click interface combined with a low res screen made it more trouble than it was worth. At the time, I couldn't imagine how to make mobile easier to use, but once I experienced an iPhone it was very obvious that the Touch UI fundamentally changed things.

I say this because I got an Oculus DK2 a couple of years ago, and after a month of enthusiastic use it got cast aside. I know it doesn't affect everyone, but I suffered from some nausea which soured me quickly. Queasiness aside though, There was a bigger problem. When I tried a demo, there was an obvious wow factor at the start, but it wore off quickly. Just attaching VR to standard 3D game was not as exciting as I had hoped.

The first television programs were essentially radio shows with a camera put in front of the presenter, until someone was able to use video to harness the story telling possibilities. The first web sites were glorified electronic newspapers, and then someone figured out how to integrate interactivity that was impossible in print. All new media forms intially imitates the old. As McLuhan said, the medium is the message.

I think it will take an as-yet unknown paradigm shift to make VR compelling.