VR Discussion

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

I think VR is going to hurt desktop Mac sales. First generation VR requires at least GTX 970 level GPU and a system that doesn't throttle itself. Apple hardly ships anything that meets the minimum spec and doesn't have good developer support either.

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[Stacc]

I think VR is going to hurt desktop Mac sales. First generation VR requires at least GTX 970 level GPU and a system that doesn't throttle itself. Apple hardly ships anything that meets the minimum spec and doesn't have good developer support either.

It depends. If VR is going to stay as a gaming only device Apple probably won't be too interested. If Facebook can figure out what else to do with it I could see Apple building in more support for VR. They would probably focus on mobile first though. I am sure the next Mac Pro will have more graphics power than an Nvidia GTX 970, the current one already does and the top end iMac GPU is close.

Apple devices not being gaming machines has not hurt their sales too much thus far. Its not clear how VR is going to shake out at the moment. Regardless, if you want to play VR you are going to need a $2k gaming pc instead of a $1k gaming pc. Not to mention the added cost of the headset. It may be a tough sell for awhile until there is some very compelling content. Accessibility and cost are both very important in mass market gaming, and so far VR has neither.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

It depends. If VR is going to stay as a gaming only device Apple probably won't be too interested. If Facebook can figure out what else to do with it I could see Apple building in more support for VR. They would probably focus on mobile first though. I am sure the next Mac Pro will have more graphics power than an Nvidia GTX 970, the current one already does and the top end iMac GPU is close.

Apple devices not being gaming machines has not hurt their sales too much thus far. Its not clear how VR is going to shake out at the moment. Regardless, if you want to play VR you are going to need a $2k gaming pc instead of a $1k gaming pc. Not to mention the added cost of the headset. It may be a tough sell for awhile until there is some very compelling content. Accessibility and cost are both very important in mass market gaming, and so far VR has neither.

Not just gaming. It's going to be pushed as a media consumption and social networking device. TV shows, news channels and documentary creators are already using 360 cameras to put their audiences directly in the scenes.

 

[JesterJJZ]

Like 3D, VR will never get traction until it goes glasses/visor free. The average person doesn't want to put something on to consume content. So that means better 3D glasses free displays and 3D holograms.

3D and VR will remain a novelty in gaming and a staple in engineering/design and medical applications.

 

[lowendlinux]

Like 3D, VR will never get traction until it goes glasses/visor free. The average person doesn't want to put something on to consume content. So that means better 3D glasses free displays and 3D holograms.

3D and VR will remain a novelty in gaming and a staple in engineering/design and medical applications.

I don't agree with that statement I think they have no issue putting something on to consume content at home or in public, but I also don't think VR is quite the game changer it's proponents think it is.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Like 3D, VR will never get traction until it goes glasses/visor free. The average person doesn't want to put something on to consume content. So that means better 3D glasses free displays and 3D holograms.

3D and VR will remain a novelty in gaming and a staple in engineering/design and medical applications.

Lighter and retina resolution yes but not going to be visor free ever. The Matrix was just a movie. If you tried to make the brain process raw data in real life it would overheat and suffer stroke (we don't even process most of what our eyes see, and our brains shut off visual input for a large portion of the waking day just to save energy) Just put a pair of cardboard VR glasses on your colleagues and you will see from their reaction that if something so simple can excite them then the full on experience is going to be massive.

 

[JesterJJZ]

I don't agree with that statement I think they have no issue putting something on to consume content at home or in public, but I also don't think VR is quite the game changer it's proponents think it is.

It doesn't matter if you agree, it's true. The average person doesn't like having to wear simple 3D glasses. There's a reason TV manufacturers across the board pretty much gave up on 3D television for home. Networks like ESPN completely abandoned their 3D broadcasting plans. Also look at the decline in 3D ticket sales at the movies. 3D has always been a gimmick that comes and goes. The current gimmick is curved displays…can't wait till they leave us be. HFR movies can also burn in the fires of hell.

The technologies that will continue to evolve and be widely adopted will be higher resolutions, 4k, 8k, and possibly HDR.

3D, VR, Curved will stay in the "I think it's cool" niche in the gaming and entertainment enthusiust market. They are generally, impractical, imperfect, expensive and driven primarily by curiosity and the need to be on the bleeding edge of unproven technology. ie laserdisc, minidisc.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

It doesn't matter if you agree, it's true. The average person doesn't like having to wear simple 3D glasses. There's a reason TV manufacturers across the board pretty much gave up on 3D television for home. Networks like ESPN completely abandoned their 3D broadcasting plans. Also look at the decline in 3D ticket sales at the movies. 3D has always been a gimmick that comes and goes. The current gimmick is curved displays…can't wait till they leave us be. HFR movies can also burn in the fires of hell.

This is not a good analogy. 3D active or passive glasses reduced picture quality, reduced brightness, and reduced sharpness. VR doesn't have these issues because they use their own screens and immerse the user in a virtual environment. At current resolutions there is a slight screen door effect, but future retina versions will eliminate that.

 

[ixxx69]

This is not a good analogy. 3D active or passive glasses reduced picture quality, reduced brightness, and reduced sharpness. VR doesn't have these issues because they use their own screens and immerse the user in a virtual environment. At current resolutions there is a slight screen door effect, but future retina versions will eliminate that.

But that isn't why 3d is on the decline... It's because it's a PITA to have to put something on your head. I don't think the point is that VR won't be cool for some applications, only that having to put something on your head is going to inherently limit its appeal to niche markets.

While VR is kind of interesting, it's too bad another cool thread topic goes off the rails. Maybe everyone agree to get back on topic?

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

But that isn't why 3d is on the decline... It's because it's a PITA to have to put something on your head.

No it hasn't taken off well because it simply isn't well implemented. It's like a stop gap technology just to gauge interest. Same thing with Google Cardboard. Real VR headsets from HTC and Oculus are entirely different. The experience can be so vivid nobody will care about the weight. The biggest issue in the first generation will be the cables. When it is truly wireless then it will explode into mainstream.

 

[tuxon86]

No it hasn't taken off well because it simply isn't well implemented. It's like a stop gap technology just to gauge interest. Same thing with Google Cardboard. Real VR headsets from HTC and Oculus are entirely different. The experience can be so vivid nobody will care about the weight. The biggest issue in the first generation will be the cables. When it is truly wireless then it will explode into mainstream.

The headset is the problem. Having to put it on or get it off is a pain. also, unless they are made out of air, they'll still be a pain in the neck (literally) in the long run. Hell, even wearing prescription glasses is annoying, wait until you have to wear both at the same time.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

The headset is the problem. Having to put it on or get it off is a pain. also, unless they are made out of air, they'll still be a pain in the neck (literally) in the long run. Hell, even wearing prescription glasses is annoying, wait until you have to wear both at the same time.

An Oculus Rift is 400 grams. Anyone complaining about using that for an hour or two a day would make one of those African women who carry 10 litres of water on their head for 20 miles every morning laugh at that kind of first world problem.

 

[nigelbb]

It's not only because of the glasses that 3D hasn't taken off but also because the weird stereoscopic effect used to fool the brain also gives a sizeable proportion of the audience nausea & headaches. It's always a weird unreal image like those old Viewmaster thingies & not at all like real life or looking though a window.

Real life 3D is far more subtle than being hit over the head with a stereoscopic image. Just shut one eye & enjoy 2D then open it & enjoy 3D. There is not a lot of difference.

 

[navaira]

An Oculus Rift is 400 grams. Anyone complaining about using that for an hour or two a day would make one of those African women who carry 10 litres of water on their head for 20 miles every morning laugh at that kind of first world problem.

Welcome to the forum which declares Apple to be doomed because a system update takes longer than 10 minutes to download

 

[JesterJJZ]

VR headsets will never be mainstream. The anti-social aspect alone is the deal breaker. Yes, I think they are neat and will probably find a niche with some hardcore gamers and in the development and medical field. But like I said, every day Joe doesn't want that stuff. Every day Joe wants to kick back in front of a big screen with a controller in their lap.

 

[navaira]

VR headsets will never be mainstream. The anti-social aspect alone is the deal breaker.

Isn't every single computer game anti-social though? And a mobile phone? You're "socialising" online but you can do that with a VR headset as well, and you're pretty unlikely to be playing... whatever kids are playing these days... at the Thanksgiving table surrounded by family. VR or not.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Overclocked 6700K to 4.7Ghz in the BIOS and enabled XMP to overclocked the DDR4 RAM to 2400Mhz. Hit 5000 single thread and 20,000 multithread in Geekbench.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

VR headsets will never be mainstream. The anti-social aspect alone is the deal breaker.

In the late 90s when the Internet was still fresh there was this condition we were warned against called 'Internet addiction'. Then there was Facebook addiction. Then there was fear of wifi radiation, even though it wasn't based on any good science or understanding of the technology. Then there was GMO fears, even though any modified or 'organic' food you eat breaks down into exactly the same nutrients. When technology becomes integrated into normal life in a productive way then people learn to stop fearing that it will destroy their lives. If you're worried that VR will make people anti-social there's nothing new there. People already live in their own realities. Trying convincing a creationist or Scientologist that the Flintstones were not a real thing or that Xenu is a scifi story.

 

[BenTrovato]

In the late 90s when the Internet was still fresh there was this condition we were warned against called 'Internet addiction'. Then there was Facebook addiction. Then there was fear of wifi radiation, even though it wasn't based on any good science or understanding of the technology. Then there was GMO fears, even though any modified or 'organic' food you eat breaks down into exactly the same nutrients. When technology becomes integrated into normal life in a productive way then people learn to stop fearing that it will destroy their lives. If you're worried that VR will make people anti-social there's nothing new there. People already live in their own realities. Trying convincing a creationist or Scientologist that the Flintstones were not a real thing or that Xenu is a scifi story.

Yep. I say it's more likely people become addicted to VR and never leave their homes rather than VR doesn't take off. It's in its infancy. The form that makes VR popular has not yet arrived.

 

[MacUser2525]

Yep. I say it's more likely people become addicted to VR and never leave their homes rather than VR doesn't take off. It's in its infancy. The form that makes VR popular has not yet arrived.

It is already here just not in that form yet the killer app will be virtual porn.

 

[AidenShaw]

It is already here just not in that form yet the killer app will be virtual porn.

...along with a watch app for feedback into VR about what "interests" you...

 

[JesterJJZ]

If you're worried that VR will make people anti-social there's nothing new there. People already live in their own realities. Trying convincing a creationist or Scientologist that the Flintstones were not a real thing or that Xenu is a scifi story.

You're missing my point. VR is "literally, physically" antisocial by nature. Meaning it's a closed, personal experience. When you put on a VR headset you lock yourself out of the world around you. Yeah, you can game with other people wearing them too and engage people that way, but it's a closed system. That isn't something that will become mainstream.

 

[tuxon86]

An Oculus Rift is 400 grams. Anyone complaining about using that for an hour or two a day would make one of those African women who carry 10 litres of water on their head for 20 miles every morning laugh at that kind of first world problem.

You just don't know what you're talking about.

 

[kevink2]

pple will probably lose Mac users as a result of its bad decisions, or more people will make Hackintoshes.

When it is time to upgrade my desktop mac, I'm strongly leaning toward the Mackintosh route. Ability to update/work on, vs the iMacs. And I still retain a genuine Mac in my new MBP.

I want something smaller, though, than my existing 2008 MB next time

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

You're missing my point. VR is "literally, physically" antisocial by nature. Meaning it's a closed, personal experience. When you put on a VR headset you lock yourself out of the world around you. Yeah, you can game with other people wearing them too and engage people that way, but it's a closed system. That isn't something that will become mainstream.

LOL. It's just a monitor next to your eyes. You want to see what disconnection from the real world looks like, read your post again in five years