4 ms·

AR / VR has been the biggest bust of all tech buzz words in the last decade. The hardware is currently too expensive and awkward for normal use, and the only th

AR / VR has been the biggest bust of all tech buzz words in the last decade. The hardware is currently too expensive and awkward for normal use, and the only thing that captured the public's imagination was Pokemon Go, which was ultimately a summer fad. Snapchat Spectacles was a flop. I think AR will be a game changer, but honestly it's still a long ways out, maybe another decade even.

ngokevin 9y ago
It was overhyped, as with any new technology, but hardware always gets cheaper and better fast. Not close to mainstream right now, it's still very early adopter mode. But prices of Rift/Vive have about halved in the last year, and headsets trending wireless. Many that do have those headsets though, swear by them.
- dsfyu404ed 9y ago
  Yup. I worked on a VR project for an educational setting (target price point after hardware being about the same as a smart-board). Basically the goal was a 3d geometry lesson but a per classroom cost cheaper than a smart-board. All the testing up through the time I left was very encouraging. The arc of progress is long.
- loggedinmyphone 9y ago
  hardware always gets cheaper and better fast This is an article of faith taken for granted by software people, but keep in mind this had only been happening because of specific improvements to wafer process technology. It's not a guaranteed trend.
Erlangolem 9y ago
At least another decade! There are significant technical hurdles for any near-eye display, such as brightness both of the AR components, and pass-through of the real world. Those are not solved problems, especially without creating a $10,000+ device. Resolution is a challenge, especially with something like an FSD, and with diffractive waveguides other optical gremlins lurk. Form factor is also no joke when wearing something on your face, especially when it’s being partly supported by your nose. Throwing money at this is necessary to solve the issues outlined, but not today and not next year. It’s also possible thst in a decade we’ll discover that other issues arise which require, surprise, more time and money to solve. Remember that for most people AR/VR still has to compete with traditional displays, which get cheaper, have higher resolution, and are lighter and thinner than ever before. If really flexible screens or holographic tech makes a leap in that decade+ too, then AR/VR could find that it’s no longer even that desirable as more than a niche tool/toy.
lithos 9y ago
AR is going to be rammed down consumer throats, because when the tech is complete it's amazing for corporations. Pretty much as complete access to someone now days as a cellphone, but you have an easier time setting up a walled garden and "compatibility" difficulties that are difficult on a technical level as well as a DRM level, at later levels of investment AR could be even more "always on" than a cellphone, and you gain access to eye tracking so you can gain an even clearer insight to interests/ad interaction.
jbattle 9y ago
I have a rift and it has exceeded all my expectations in terms of performance. Sure I would be happier if it was lighter and had no cord. But the big issue is the dearth of content. There are a handful of high quality games for the thing, and a large number of amateur early-access dreck. I really want to spend time with the thing but haven't found anything thats' compelling for more than a handful of hours (and even those run $20+). It's a medium that's still waiting for its Pacman IMO
- whywhywhywhy 9y ago
  If you haven't played Lone Echo yet, then please play Lone Echo. You honestly wont regret it. Definitely still think it's niche for now but the more polished experiences are starting to trickle out.

ngokevin 9y ago

It was overhyped, as with any new technology, but hardware always gets cheaper and better fast. Not close to mainstream right now, it's still very early adopter mode. But prices of Rift/Vive have about halved in the last year, and headsets trending wireless. Many that do have those headsets though, swear by them.

dsfyu404ed 9y ago
Yup. I worked on a VR project for an educational setting (target price point after hardware being about the same as a smart-board). Basically the goal was a 3d geometry lesson but a per classroom cost cheaper than a smart-board. All the testing up through the time I left was very encouraging. The arc of progress is long.
loggedinmyphone 9y ago
hardware always gets cheaper and better fast This is an article of faith taken for granted by software people, but keep in mind this had only been happening because of specific improvements to wafer process technology. It's not a guaranteed trend.

Erlangolem 9y ago

At least another decade! There are significant technical hurdles for any near-eye display, such as brightness both of the AR components, and pass-through of the real world. Those are not solved problems, especially without creating a $10,000+ device. Resolution is a challenge, especially with something like an FSD, and with diffractive waveguides other optical gremlins lurk. Form factor is also no joke when wearing something on your face, especially when it’s being partly supported by your nose. Throwing money at this is necessary to solve the issues outlined, but not today and not next year. It’s also possible thst in a decade we’ll discover that other issues arise which require, surprise, more time and money to solve. Remember that for most people AR/VR still has to compete with traditional displays, which get cheaper, have higher resolution, and are lighter and thinner than ever before. If really flexible screens or holographic tech makes a leap in that decade+ too, then AR/VR could find that it’s no longer even that desirable as more than a niche tool/toy.

lithos 9y ago

AR is going to be rammed down consumer throats, because when the tech is complete it's amazing for corporations. Pretty much as complete access to someone now days as a cellphone, but you have an easier time setting up a walled garden and "compatibility" difficulties that are difficult on a technical level as well as a DRM level, at later levels of investment AR could be even more "always on" than a cellphone, and you gain access to eye tracking so you can gain an even clearer insight to interests/ad interaction.

jbattle 9y ago

I have a rift and it has exceeded all my expectations in terms of performance. Sure I would be happier if it was lighter and had no cord. But the big issue is the dearth of content. There are a handful of high quality games for the thing, and a large number of amateur early-access dreck. I really want to spend time with the thing but haven't found anything thats' compelling for more than a handful of hours (and even those run $20+). It's a medium that's still waiting for its Pacman IMO

whywhywhywhy 9y ago
If you haven't played Lone Echo yet, then please play Lone Echo. You honestly wont regret it. Definitely still think it's niche for now but the more polished experiences are starting to trickle out.