There is something quite remarkable and puzzling about the VR/AR and now SC (spatial computing) space.
All major (ad)tech companies are convinced that this is a major market that will materialize and be profitable if the right combination of hardware and software is developed.
Their VR "visions" differ but only at the margin. No matter how you execute it, we are talking about people (homo sapiens) putting a major something on their heads that dramatically takes over their visual field for the pursuit of... what exactly? That is the puzzle.
There is a missing aha moment around this type of interface that would justify the major behavioral adjustment that is required for it to be adopted as a general purpose interface rather than a gimmick.
The number of devices sold so far does not impress me. A small number of people, especially youngsters with disposable income can be sold on anything (including fake currencies).
What is missing is an indication that this is actually an empowering piece of tech that is a a major new mode in our interface with computing.
What would be such indicators? Anything really. E.g. Some leaked stories that the teams developing these devices wear them all the time because it makes them so much more productive / social / fun / transcedental / [insert something people might actually want to have].
So far at least, this is a tech that is being pushed onto people rather than being pulled. I don't think this was the case with any of the major steps in the development of digital computing but would be quite interested if people can think of historical precedent.
All major (ad)tech companies are convinced that this is a major market that will materialize and be profitable if the right combination of hardware and software is developed.
Their VR "visions" differ but only at the margin. No matter how you execute it, we are talking about people (homo sapiens) putting a major something on their heads that dramatically takes over their visual field for the pursuit of... what exactly? That is the puzzle.
There is a missing aha moment around this type of interface that would justify the major behavioral adjustment that is required for it to be adopted as a general purpose interface rather than a gimmick.
The number of devices sold so far does not impress me. A small number of people, especially youngsters with disposable income can be sold on anything (including fake currencies).
What is missing is an indication that this is actually an empowering piece of tech that is a a major new mode in our interface with computing.
What would be such indicators? Anything really. E.g. Some leaked stories that the teams developing these devices wear them all the time because it makes them so much more productive / social / fun / transcedental / [insert something people might actually want to have].
So far at least, this is a tech that is being pushed onto people rather than being pulled. I don't think this was the case with any of the major steps in the development of digital computing but would be quite interested if people can think of historical precedent.