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"if we hand over modern smartphones to the average 2002 computer person, they would have no idea how to use it" You might have to go back to the early 90s for

"if we hand over modern smartphones to the average 2002 computer person, they would have no idea how to use it" You might have to go back to the early 90s for that, we had PocketPC and Palm and Symbian in the 00's... The change since 2002 has been incremental, I think 2002 me would find today's Android similar but faster and simpler - and today's iOS equally as confusing as 2022 me finds it. I think VR is still in the PocketPC stage, where early adopters think it's great but most people don't need it or want it, it's expensive and/or clunky. It might catch on in 20 years when someone has another go with much better tech.

GekkePrutser 4y ago
Handhelds have never really gone away since the days of the Newton. I owned a Psion 3, then 5, then Palm IIIxe, then a Dell Axim and then the first smartphones came out. First Symbian which was basically Psion, then iPhone and then Android. I've never not had a smart device ever since the first. And while they have improved a lot some great features were lost (for example the Psion was much better to type an email on than a smartphone). But my point is: it doesn't have to be perfect yet to be adding value. If it's not for everyone yet it doesn't mean it's a useless flop.
- sanitycheck 4y ago
  The richest nerd at my school had a Psion 5, I was totally sold on the concept and still am. They'd disappeared by the time I was in a position to spend money on expensive toys though, sadly. I agree with you that new tech can be good even if only a few people ever buy/use it, however I get the impression that Meta is investing billions in this VR stuff and are targeting "everyone"
robertlagrant 4y ago
> You might have to go back to the early 90s for that, we had PocketPC and Palm and Symbian in the 00's... The change since 2002 has been incremental, I think 2002 me would find today's Android similar but faster and simpler - and today's iOS equally as confusing as 2022 me finds it. Someone never did VR boxing at the Trocadero in London in the early 2000s.

GekkePrutser 4y ago

Handhelds have never really gone away since the days of the Newton. I owned a Psion 3, then 5, then Palm IIIxe, then a Dell Axim and then the first smartphones came out. First Symbian which was basically Psion, then iPhone and then Android. I've never not had a smart device ever since the first. And while they have improved a lot some great features were lost (for example the Psion was much better to type an email on than a smartphone). But my point is: it doesn't have to be perfect yet to be adding value. If it's not for everyone yet it doesn't mean it's a useless flop.

sanitycheck 4y ago
The richest nerd at my school had a Psion 5, I was totally sold on the concept and still am. They'd disappeared by the time I was in a position to spend money on expensive toys though, sadly. I agree with you that new tech can be good even if only a few people ever buy/use it, however I get the impression that Meta is investing billions in this VR stuff and are targeting "everyone"

robertlagrant 4y ago

> You might have to go back to the early 90s for that, we had PocketPC and Palm and Symbian in the 00's... The change since 2002 has been incremental, I think 2002 me would find today's Android similar but faster and simpler - and today's iOS equally as confusing as 2022 me finds it. Someone never did VR boxing at the Trocadero in London in the early 2000s.