Hands
Agreed, it is the Virtual reality and augmented reality technology we should be concentrating on rather than the facebook metaverse. The new VR/AR tech is the next step up from video and becomes 'immersive' where the user can drive the experience and become part of the story for themselves.
Just wanted to add a few other real world uses for 3D tech:
- Training - especially in highly complex, dangerous or relatively inaccessible locations. Pilot training, operation of cranes, defense force training comes to mind.
- Counselling remotely - (especially for those stuck at home with anxiety/depression) are being made more effective through the use of an avatar - it is said patients are more engaged and more willing to talk in the 3D environment rather than over zoom or skype.
- Education - It has always been the case that children learn more from 'doing it' than 'reading about it'. In a 3D world, they can explore the Great Barrier Reef or City of Pompeii and interact with local citizens (human or animal)
- Design & customisation - as previously discussed.
There is huge potential and application for VR outside of the gaming/social/entertainment context.
Strawman
I agree. VR/AR has been a long promised technology, but I think it's time has finally arrived.
It's hard to appreciate until you've experienced it. Even a basic Oculus headset ($<500) provides an incredibly rich and immersive experience. As headsets become cheaper and more accessible, there'll be more apps developed, which will stimulate more demand and improvements in headsets and so on and so forth.
There's a potent feedback effect you see with most technology. Chris Dixon tweeted about this recently (in regard to blockchain tech, but it applies almost everywhere in computing)
Definitely doesn't mean you invest in any company that touts this kind of tech (i'm sure a majority will prove poor investments), but it's definitely an area to watch.