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Zuckerberg seems to really think that VR is the next ”big thing” like the iPhone. I’m curious what people here think about that. I’m currently on the skeptical

by vlunkr 4y ago

Zuckerberg seems to really think that VR is the next ”big thing” like the iPhone. I’m curious what people here think about that. I’m currently on the skeptical side for a couple of reasons. The tech isn’t there. These headsets are bulky and ugly, only very dedicated users are willing to wear them for hours a day. Maybe someday they’ll be the size of Google glass, but it’s certainly too early to bet your company on it. The killer app is basically VR Chat. This already exists and has existed in non-VR forms (second life) for ages. It’s definitely a successful idea, but it appeals to a relatively niche crowd, mostly very online teens. A phone doesn’t fully occupy your senses like VR. We have responsibilities in the real world that keep us from staying fully in VR. NFTs. Why would they bring NFTs into the marketing? NFTs appeal to a certain crowd for sure, but everyone else is repelled by that crowd, and is sick of everything about NFTs. Lastly, they need to work on marketing. Especially a new spokesman. I think VR is probably here to stay this time, but they should focus on gaming. It actually works, but there needs to be some fresh ideas before people get tired of it. Send dev kits out and incentive really creative developers to get involved. Man cannot live on Beatsaber alone.

w1nst0nsm1th 4y ago
There is already great "experiences" in VR. One issue being that for a lot of them you need a room dedicated to it. Another issue is, If you happen to be addicted to your couch, a lot of games doesn't work... Because you have to stand up to play them.
helen___keller 4y ago
Idk about VR but I think AR could possibly become a winner (assuming fundamental problems like battery life and headset weight are solved) Everyone has this mindset that VR must be coupled with greater immersion. I think the real “value unlock” will be when it’s just for casual side browsing alongside daily life, like how most people use smartphones Will the tech ever get there? Will this even be good for daily life? Probably not. But it might be addictive enough to displace smartphone usage. Immersion is too intense. Nobody wants to be immersed for more than maybe an hour, so VR will always just be a toy
- SketchySeaBeast 4y ago
  I guess maybe it'll have a chance with low-profile "Meta glasses". The joy of smartphones is their ubiquity and super low friction to use - until one can easily pull out the AR during a boring moment in a restaurant I can't see it having the same draw.
  - helen___keller 4y ago
    > until one can easily pull out the AR during a boring moment in a restaurant I can't see it having the same draw Agreed
  - reustle 4y ago
    I think the already available NREAL Air is a nice glimpse at where the tech is today https://youtu.be/Oq-n9WJBI0Q https://youtu.be/Oq-n9WJBI0Q
    - vlunkr 4y ago
      Those look pretty cool. Also good to see other companies getting products out there. It would be terrible if Meta gets a stranglehold on the ecosystem.
taylodl 4y ago
Zuckerberg hit the lottery with Facebook. It was a success despite of him. Right place at the right time and all. It wasn't a formula that could be repeated, so Zuckerberg is SOL. The key to playing poker is knowing when to fold. Zuckerberg's vanity won't allow him to do so and ironically enough it's the main reason why he won't succeed again.
tfandango 4y ago
My take on VR is that it's great for creating an ambiance that would be very expensive in reality. For instance I can and do watch movies in large fancy VR theaters while at home I have a regular TV. Certainly, there are lots of quibbles around that with sound, resolution, when you have multiple people, etc. I keep trying to use it for work but it's just not there yet. I find it easier to talk to strangers in person than in VR for some reason. It seems to me like it's going to be a long slog until VR is ubiquitous. I think it was too soon for Meta to bet the company on.
mbostleman 4y ago
I don't understand how Meta could be a compelling game changer like the iPhone because I don't understand what practical value it offers. The iPhone and mobile in general has had an incredible impact on economic efficiency alone, much less the cultural changes it has driven. People can't live without their phones. Whether or not that's a good thing is TBD, but it's hard to imagine a product that is similarly indispensable - Automobiles maybe? Electricity? Indoor plumbing? Ok, so then compare Meta's big idea. Standing in a room with a screen strapped to your head, blocking out the rest of the world and rendering your body useless? What exactly is that going to provide other than an enhanced gaming or entertainment experience? I fully suspect that I'm missing something because it seems ridiculous. Not the idea of an immersive experience to enhance entertainment, but the idea of taking the largest social media portfolio of companies and pivoting towards this. For context, I get metaverses. I was a pretty big participant in SL from 2006-2010ish. I wrote tons of lsl and collaborated with builders to sell 10s of thousands of dollars of silly things that made people's experience more fun. So as a fun side thing, I get. But how exactly could that translate in to THE thing? Especially if it means sitting like a zombie on my couch?

by vlunkr 4y ago

w1nst0nsm1th 4y ago

There is already great "experiences" in VR. One issue being that for a lot of them you need a room dedicated to it. Another issue is, If you happen to be addicted to your couch, a lot of games doesn't work... Because you have to stand up to play them.

helen___keller 4y ago

Idk about VR but I think AR could possibly become a winner (assuming fundamental problems like battery life and headset weight are solved) Everyone has this mindset that VR must be coupled with greater immersion. I think the real “value unlock” will be when it’s just for casual side browsing alongside daily life, like how most people use smartphones Will the tech ever get there? Will this even be good for daily life? Probably not. But it might be addictive enough to displace smartphone usage. Immersion is too intense. Nobody wants to be immersed for more than maybe an hour, so VR will always just be a toy

SketchySeaBeast 4y ago
I guess maybe it'll have a chance with low-profile "Meta glasses". The joy of smartphones is their ubiquity and super low friction to use - until one can easily pull out the AR during a boring moment in a restaurant I can't see it having the same draw.
- helen___keller 4y ago
  > until one can easily pull out the AR during a boring moment in a restaurant I can't see it having the same draw Agreed
- reustle 4y ago
  I think the already available NREAL Air is a nice glimpse at where the tech is today https://youtu.be/Oq-n9WJBI0Q https://youtu.be/Oq-n9WJBI0Q
  - vlunkr 4y ago
    Those look pretty cool. Also good to see other companies getting products out there. It would be terrible if Meta gets a stranglehold on the ecosystem.

taylodl 4y ago

Zuckerberg hit the lottery with Facebook. It was a success despite of him. Right place at the right time and all. It wasn't a formula that could be repeated, so Zuckerberg is SOL. The key to playing poker is knowing when to fold. Zuckerberg's vanity won't allow him to do so and ironically enough it's the main reason why he won't succeed again.

tfandango 4y ago

My take on VR is that it's great for creating an ambiance that would be very expensive in reality. For instance I can and do watch movies in large fancy VR theaters while at home I have a regular TV. Certainly, there are lots of quibbles around that with sound, resolution, when you have multiple people, etc. I keep trying to use it for work but it's just not there yet. I find it easier to talk to strangers in person than in VR for some reason. It seems to me like it's going to be a long slog until VR is ubiquitous. I think it was too soon for Meta to bet the company on.

mbostleman 4y ago

I don't understand how Meta could be a compelling game changer like the iPhone because I don't understand what practical value it offers. The iPhone and mobile in general has had an incredible impact on economic efficiency alone, much less the cultural changes it has driven. People can't live without their phones. Whether or not that's a good thing is TBD, but it's hard to imagine a product that is similarly indispensable - Automobiles maybe? Electricity? Indoor plumbing? Ok, so then compare Meta's big idea. Standing in a room with a screen strapped to your head, blocking out the rest of the world and rendering your body useless? What exactly is that going to provide other than an enhanced gaming or entertainment experience? I fully suspect that I'm missing something because it seems ridiculous. Not the idea of an immersive experience to enhance entertainment, but the idea of taking the largest social media portfolio of companies and pivoting towards this. For context, I get metaverses. I was a pretty big participant in SL from 2006-2010ish. I wrote tons of lsl and collaborated with builders to sell 10s of thousands of dollars of silly things that made people's experience more fun. So as a fun side thing, I get. But how exactly could that translate in to THE thing? Especially if it means sitting like a zombie on my couch?