On Apple’s Upcoming Headset(daringfireball.net) |
On Apple’s Upcoming Headset(daringfireball.net) |
I worked in VR in the late 1990s, being one of the founders of the SAIC virtuality lab, then games and VR for Nintendo and Disney (via Angle Studios). The Quest 2 is such an improvement, and does not require a $250K Silicon Graphics Realty Engine.
My main field of work since the early 1980s has been AI, and I feel like I have learned patience. I think that some things are difficult to develop and we need to be grateful for steady progress.
I am 71, and if I am fortunate enough to live another 10 years (my Dad is 101 so wish me luck!) then I fully expect comfortable VR and AR gear that can be worn for hours in near perfect comfort, the graphics will be better than human vision can fully exploit, simulation software will be near-perfect and all types of AI will have improved to entertain us, help us in our work, and technology will be more “ready at hand”, tools that are so good they blend into the background of our lives.
The only way I could see this being marketed is maybe as a Mac display extension; Meta apps like Immersed show that the idea could be really great with better hardware. Gaming doesn’t make sense, and AR doesn’t really make sense either. If this thing is real it’s definitely not intended for the iPhone audience
So I can only see this being geared toward developers and enthusiasts to get a head start on developing killer VR and especially AR apps, which will be useful when the technology allows for lightweight headsets and glasses. Apple’s been rumored to be developing AR glasses for a while now.
Regardless, I’m very keen to see Cook and co. get up on stage and present their vision since they’re still the largest influence in consumer tech trends.
IMO External battieries will make it less weighty on your head which will reduce fatigue from long time wear.
This is Apple, at the barest minimum it should be entirely wireless. This would be like if Jobs presented the iPhone with a honking big Blackberry style keyboard. Half the magic would be gone.