Replies to the 16 Lessons assignment:
Most agree: No.3 Network speeds and cloud computing capacity will be the key utility of the future.
Like web and cellphone, being the mainstream devices of digital life means that VR&AR devices will be widely used and there will be a social community of users. Therefore, stable connection and high-speed data transportation are the key utility to guaranteeing the stable online processing of VR/AR devices.
Most disagree: No.7 VR can erase race and gender inequality gaps.
VR creates a visual world for users but it does not mean that users can completely get rid of the real world. Using avatar in the VR world will not erase race and gender inequality–it can only temporarily help users forget the real-world limitations.
VR Experience:
I experience three VR projects, BBC Spacewalk, Scaring VR video, and Cowboy shooting game.
BBC Spacewalk
BBC Spacewalk is the most excellent VR project I have ever experienced. It is a project about space movement and astronauts mission. In the space, users need to use controllers, which are two hands of astronauts to grab spaceship to move around, repair the spaceship, etc. The graphics are in high quality and I really enjoy diving into this visual space. What shocks me is that I even feel dizzy of weightlessness. That is amazing.
Scaring VR video
This project set me inside a blocked room and it is pretty scaring. But what a pity is that I can only stand and watch–there is no interaction design in this project. I think VR is suitable for Scaring game and movie because it can provide a sense of realness and shock which video and video games cannot provide for users.
Cowboy shooting game
This is the only game that I experience in this class. The gamer needs to hold the controller to shoot and change the clip by shaking the controller like a cowboy. I love the design of changing clips because it makes me feel like a cowboy. The graphics quality is good but not as excellent as the Spacewalk one.
In conclusion, I think that VR can be used for games and interactive visual project.
Review of the Kevin Kelly AR article
AR, as the third platform after the first and the second platforms of Web and phones, will digitalize the rest of the world. But We still have a long way to go.