No, Virtual Reality is Not a Fad

Every technological leap we take forward is accompanied by the complaints of those stuck who are in the past. But make no mistake when it comes to virtual reality (VR). It's not a fad. And it's only going to get better over time.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Using a $15 Google Cardboard viewer---yes, it's literally made of cardboard---you can have a basic VR experience on the cheap and see for yourself. And despite the limitations of the underlying mobile platform---Cardboard works with both Android handsets and the iPhone---it's still pretty damned impressive.

To understand what a mean, try a few of the core experiences: YouTube VR, for example, provides 360-degree videos, including some amazing examples that take place in outer space. Or you can travel the world virtually using Google Street View. In both cases, I've felt a twinge of bliss---similar to nostalgia or deeply personal moments---that transcends what's normally possible with 2D experiences. VR experiences really can be transformative.

There are two obvious issues with VR and VR offshoots such as augmented reality or mixed reality today: The affordable experiences are truly basic, with VHS/standard definition-quality video and graphics and only basic interactivity. Meanwhile, more sophisticated VR products like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are incredibly expensive and complex to set up and use.

That will change. And if you think back to other technology transitions we've made over time, you can see that VR, today, is much like video games were in the early 1980's: The graphics were blocky and basic, and silly by today's standards, but many of these games provided exciting interactive experiences and hinted at the graphical splendor to come.

In the early 1980's, my brother and I thrilled to the white noise "crowd cheering" sounds and blocky graphics of Intellivision's Football and Skiing titles, but 30 years later, video games have become photographic-quality immersive experiences with professional soundtracks and acting. Games like Call of Duty and Battlefield 1 are so realistic, they create real memories of in-game experiences and locations.

VR won't need 30 years to mature; that's the nature of modern technology. And we can already see the interim steps that will get us there.

Based on an admittedly short period of time testing Google's new Daydream View headset, I can make the following generalization: Graphically, the experience is no better than what's available on Google Cardboard; indeed, the apps you use with Daydream are often the exact same apps you use with Cardboard, or are apps that have small bits optimized for Daydream View use.

That, too, will change over time. But even if the quality of video and graphics in Daydream View never improve---and given the way the phone heats up when you use this solution, I'm guessing they will not---this newer, more expensive ($80) solution still offers some compelling advantages over Cardboard. ...

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