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No. Just, no. We don’t need a series of “Google Cardboard meets HoloLens” devices to assist usher us into the age of augmented reality.
But yes, that is exactly what not less than two corporations try to do: Sell you cardboard devices that use your smartphone to create a sort of low budget HoloLens for a fraction of the value.
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In just the last couple of weeks I’ve seen the emergence of cardboard-framed AR devices for smartphones from Aryzon (about $32) and Holokit. Both are promoted as low-cost alternatives to pricier, higher end AR (or “mixed reality”) devices and each have videos showing off how they work. Neither is straight away available to the general public yet, but I can see where that is all going.
Anyone in our office in search of the history of Google Cardboard devices need only swing by my desk to see the sprawling graveyard of cardboard boxes designed to show your smartphone into an inexpensive, mobile VR headset. And while the flurry of pleasure over low-cost VR via Cardboard simmered for a few years, interest has largely died out.
If you are really excited by VR, you’ll be able to either pick up a reasonably low-cost Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream View headset and the compatible smartphones that go together with them. Similarly, those in search of the perfect VR have high-end options within the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.
Yes, low-cost, cardboard AR devices are an excellent idea on paper. And if a friend had provide you with it over drinks and showed me a proof of concept I’d’ve probably raved about it. But then I’d’ve woken up the subsequent morning, slammed a searing hot mug of coffee down my throat after which come to my senses, sending him a text saying, “Don’t do it.”
Sure, AR is a component of our virtual future alongside VR, and can likely have greater reach on account of its integration with the actual world versus the relative isolation inherent to VR. And when the hardware that moves us from experiencing AR on our smartphone screens arrives, perhaps in the shape of fashionable glasses and never unwieldy, incredibly expensive headsets just like the HoloLens, that can indeed be an excellent day. But attempting to provide us a middle ground in the shape of a cardboard device is not the reply.
We know this because we have been here before.
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The problem is, while VR via Cardboard devices introduced large numbers of individuals to the “idea” of VR, ultimately, the low quality experiences led many to assume that they’d sampled the “state-of-the-art” in VR–and so that they moved on and didn’t even consider the upper end, way more immersive and interactive options.
Rather than function the proper gateway drug, VR on Cardboard actually polluted the virtual waters, leading many to dismiss the technology as a gimmick.
Things will recuperate for VR, but within the short term, Cardboard did more harm than good.
That is just not the fate we would like for AR.
Original image has been replaced.
Credit: Mashable
Sure, AR apps coping with commerce, mapping, and gaming will almost definitely drive wide adoption of AR on smartphones and tablets within the near term, no matter how they’re delivered early on. But tech “culture” can sometimes be just as necessary because the tech itself, and if something is framed as a gimmick, or a fad, meaningful platform development can suffer. The Google Glass “glasshole” debacle taught us that lesson as well.
But the largest indictment against “Cardboard meets HoloLens” devices is apparent: You don’t need them. Whereas the pretense with VR via Google Cardboard was that the cardboard box could close off your viewpoint to mimic an immersive headset, with cardboard-framed AR, you do not need a “headset” or “cradle” because you’re already using your smartphone to have a look at AR objects anyway. Using low price mirrors and lenses, these recent cardboard devices do appear so as to add a further sense of depth to the AR objects (based solely on the demo videos) whilst you press the box to your face, but these passive viewing devices are of limited use to all however the mildly AR curious.
This is a clever solution with no problem.
And simply because it’s clever and possible doesn’t at all times mean you must do it.
Now in the event that they can recraft these cardboard clever contraptions right into a sleek, hands-free wearable glasses ahead of the likes of Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft, I’ll be first in line to purchase a pair.
But until we get real AR glasses, and even cheaper, lightweight HoloLens or Meta 2 devices, AR via smartphone, sans cardboard, works just positive, thanks.
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Topics
Augmented Reality
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