It’s been viable for enthusiasts for a while, but the reason it’s not mainstream is most normal people just don’t want it. It’s clumsy, cumbersome, the content is generally poor, and it’s either a Meta product or very expensive for something that’s ultimately a gimmick at the moment. Not to mention the “metaverse” tarnishing VRs image.

Even Apple couldn’t make it successful with today’s tech. Best case scenario IMO; company’s starting long term VR moonshot projects right now might have something with mainstream appeal in the distant future.

VR won’t be viable until it’s transparent and unobtrusive; a contact lens, for example. A giant headset that you strap on to your face just isn’t appealing to most customers outside of the initial novelty factor.