Do we need VR?

1. I read an article about VR and AR and the difficulties in which this category of interaction with the computer is born.

2. The article was written by Matthew Ball, author of “The Metaverse: And How it Will Revolutionize Everything”, an enthusiast of the metaversum idea, which he defines as follows:

• a persistent and interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds that will ultimately serve as the gateway to most online experiences as well as underpinning much of the physical world.

3. Ball describes the technical challenge faced by developers of VR/AR devices. These devices must display an image in 16k with a refresh rate between 120 Hz and 240 Hz, have several sensors and cameras, internet connectivity, work on a battery and at the same time weigh less than 300 grams if we are to wear them on our heads all day.

4. He compares these requirements to modern consoles such as PlayStation 5. Top games on PlayStation 5 run at 4k and 60 Hz refresh rate. Consoles don't have screens (we connect them to TV sets), they don't have cameras, internet connection is via cable or stable WiFi, they're big, heavy, get very hot and are constantly connected to electricity.

5. As you can see, there is no chance that the VR/AR experience will be comparable to console games. It is not possible to fully implement the specification of the VR/AR device, which I described above. Compromises are necessary. That's why VR games and software look like they came from a bygone era.??????

6. VR faces the challenge of creating a good device. There is also no attractive software that would convince a wide group of users that, despite the imperfections of technology, it does something better than a smartphone, computer or console.

7. Bell repeatedly reminds that VR hardware makes users feel sick. Apparently, this is due to the low refresh rate of the image.

8. An interesting piece of text is the history of Microsoft's contract for the U.S. Army.

• the company signed a contract with the U.S. Army worth up to $22B by 2031—and for only 120,000 HoloLens headsets. (…)
• in January 2023, Congress denied the Army’s request to draw $400MM of the roughly $21.5B in unspent funds to buy another 7,000 units (…)
• this first batch fell short of many field tests throughout 2022, with the military finding 80% to lead to “mission-affecting physical impairments” including headaches, eyestrain, and nausea.

9. It seems to me that this is the fundamental problem of experiencing VR and AR equipment. People feel bad when they use it.

10. I have doubts if it can be solved with a higher screen refresh rate.

11. It may be that VR and AR are incompatible with human physiology and even with 240 Hz refresh rate, we won't be able to spend much time in it.

12. If most people suffer from VR, the graphics look crappy and there is no mass use despite many trials and investments, maybe it's a dead end?

13. Will the future be worse if we interact with software mainly by looking at a phone screen? Do we need a killer smartphone to feel the progress of our civilization?