Virtual Reality
It is hard not to agree to what McKinsey has to say about the 3D web - that it would be the next major wave of internet evolution. Beyond the pioneers in software engineering like IBM, more companies worldwide are incorporating the 3D technology as part of their marketing effort. As an alternative experience, Cathay Pacific Airways has created a virtual tour to promote the launch of its new inflight seats.
With a large part of the world already replicated on Google map, it is easily imaginable that a 3D virtual version of the exact real world can be readily created. The idea may be useful in a corporate setting where people may effectively collaborate and role-play, store and find information, basically transcend the limitation which physical distance imposes and build creative interaction within the corporate environment - at least in theory, or perhaps only practical when the technology has evolved significantly down the experience curve that the incremental development costs become economically negligible.
But once people get into the virtual world, of course, there is no reason why they simply have to replicate the reality instead of letting their imagination run wild and claiming uncharted territory - what can't be done in the real world, as in Second Life. But I have to say, although rather captivated by the Second Life's proposition and often curious about what's it like, I have never set foot there, yet. I have the feeling that I simply may not be tech-savvy enough to really get much out of it.
In the meantime, I choose to comprehend the 3D evolution in internet as similar to the 3G's in mobile network - it's transformational, far-reaching and perhaps even sensational to some people. But what is interesting to see is whether the experience curve of worldwide usage will push 3D & 3G down to become the basic standard, for internet and mobile network respectively, one day. By then, 4 or higher G may have come along, though it's hard to imagine another dimension after the 3rd one on the internet. The 4th dimension - time machine - comes true?
With a large part of the world already replicated on Google map, it is easily imaginable that a 3D virtual version of the exact real world can be readily created. The idea may be useful in a corporate setting where people may effectively collaborate and role-play, store and find information, basically transcend the limitation which physical distance imposes and build creative interaction within the corporate environment - at least in theory, or perhaps only practical when the technology has evolved significantly down the experience curve that the incremental development costs become economically negligible.
But once people get into the virtual world, of course, there is no reason why they simply have to replicate the reality instead of letting their imagination run wild and claiming uncharted territory - what can't be done in the real world, as in Second Life. But I have to say, although rather captivated by the Second Life's proposition and often curious about what's it like, I have never set foot there, yet. I have the feeling that I simply may not be tech-savvy enough to really get much out of it.
In the meantime, I choose to comprehend the 3D evolution in internet as similar to the 3G's in mobile network - it's transformational, far-reaching and perhaps even sensational to some people. But what is interesting to see is whether the experience curve of worldwide usage will push 3D & 3G down to become the basic standard, for internet and mobile network respectively, one day. By then, 4 or higher G may have come along, though it's hard to imagine another dimension after the 3rd one on the internet. The 4th dimension - time machine - comes true?
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