The (near) future is spatial

At AlleyCorp Robotics I often talk about the future being automated. Today I'm going to talk about how the future is also going to be spatial. I'm a believer!

[Narrator: do not worry, the future will still be automated, and we will return shortly to our automation and robotics heavy content]

I've long been a productivity nerd - writing about how knowledge workers don't need to stink at working, sharing tips and tricks from effective leaders, and focusing on focusing, getting stuff done, and so on.

My productivity equation is a large screen + keyboard + mouse, and focused space to work in. My 'daily driver' has been a 43" 4k monitor + latest MacBook + clicky keyboard + mouse. Add in a great DSLR webcam, good lighting, and I'm good to go.

My kids are all coders / builders / makers - and have similar setups. Big screen is super effective - dare I say necessary - if you're creating. Coding, assembling and synthesizing thoughts, combining / researching docs - I'm easily multiples more productive in this scenario.

Note I am firmly in the camp of "1 big screen >>> 2 smaller screens". Vertical pixels are the hardest to get - most 30" monitors aren't any "taller" than smaller ones. You need a big TV monitor to get enough vertical pixels. I do start wanting a curved display here...

When I'm traveling with just my laptop, I miss this setup. For video calls and talking, it's less important - and I find myself using the couch + family room TV to have an impromptu zoom-room which works well.

I want glasses to replace all of this. I've wanted this forever. Bought the first Oculus dev kit, every device since then, including high res 4k versions. I don't want my thinking space limited by physical pixels - I want to think and write and draw on every surface around me. None of it has been good enough - OS and SW support terrible, plus I always get terribly nauseous.

Apple Vision Pro can almost do this. The Mac integration is awesome and can only get better. Everything else is awesome. At this point it's just a matter of apps and linear improvement - good enough baseline. The delta between the AVP and Quest 3 is huge. Imagine yet another leap forward and it's mass market ready, in my opinion. It's time to build as if this is happening.

Apple Vision Pro still doesn't beat my setup. It's better than nothing in a hotel room or on a plane - close to as effective as my 40" screen. But I'll stick pick my screens if I have them. For zoom calls, I'll still choose my zoom room.

Bonus - my VR discomfort is (almost) gone! Every other VR headset has me wanting to vomit within minutes. With the AVP, I do not get (too) nauseous - feels more like I'm working on a bumpy train - not fun but I can keep going. And from fishing boat days I know I'll build up stamina for it. And I'm the only one in my house of 5 who even has that issue.

We are keeping ours. But mostly because we are a household full of developers, who are actively building spatial software. The kids are especially into it - part of their awesome NuVu Innovation School experience is they get to build things they love - and VR/AR software is part of that passion. Unlike most houses with VR headsets - ours get periodic and regular use due to development - and that will ramp up even more with the AVP.

So - the near future is spatial - but today is not. Not good enough for mass market, not good enough for me to replace my awesome desk setup. But another iteration or two, absolutely. And for teenagers building today, I think it's worth being 5 years ahead of everyone else who will wait until "it's ready" to jump in. And totally fun to build for and use.

Note - haven't even tried games or media in the thing - I imagine that is even better. The only thing I'm personally interested in is productivity - making and creating - and my movie experiences are social (except when traveling). I could see this being an amazing solo travel companion - productivity on the go, and better screens on planes. Will let you know after my next trip and experiment!