alt Hacker NewsVR will go mainstream when gaming and the internet did - when it fits in your pocket, can turn on and off instantly, and allows you to split your attention between it and something else. The last one seems like a contradiction but maybe someone will figure it out.
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Maybe you’re right in terms of true broad adoption, but I’m also curious about whether there’s a sustainable (and slowly growing) market in other market segments.
Maybe vr gaming is it? I hope so because I’d like to see the platform grow from there into other application areas.
Personally I’m curious if I can use it for something, maybe data visualization. Like a more powerful matplotlib. Maybe I’ll just try it if it’s affordable to try and possible to use it that way (custom code).
The Nintendo DS fit in your pocket but it didn't hearld in mainstream gaming.
Gaming went mainstream because it went mainstream. Technogy improved, it became easy to setup and play (unlike a computer at the time), competition was high between Sony and MS which resulted in quick generational leaps. And finally, all the gamers grew up inviting more gamers to be gamers.
Once it became big money, gaming attracted attention propelling it further.
Like any technology, it's a combination of things that leads to high uptake.
My opinion is that VR will go mainstream when it becomes afford, useful and easy to use. IMO we are years away from good useful VR.
As long as you don’t have some kind of physical feedback for something simple as clicking a button VR always will feel artificial and disconnected
VR will start to go mainstream when it doesn’t make motion sick. This is probably the main reason people pivoted to AR.