Just so we're clear... I don't think AR is all it's cracked up to be either.
As for VR... yes it's cool... and yes it's evolving. I'm just not seeing it as the next great "consumer" tech though.
Even if VR goggles get smaller, lighter and cheaper... it's still an extra thing you have to carry. And thus you WON'T carry it... meaning you'll only be using it at home (if you own it at all)
You're right... artists, designers and the military are using VR right now. It's great for those applications.
But I'm just having a hard time seeing Joe and Jane Public using VR... at least in any meaningful numbers. It may only be a "niche" market at best.
I guess we'll see in a few years.
Of course, niche is what it is for the moment. I'm sure it will evolve because VR and AR is merging to the point where it's possible to toggle between both modes. If I wanted to, say, recline and rest on a sofa after a long day and check out a filme or show privately, the glasses would be handy. Or being used as a HUD ( heads up display ) for driving since whatever I look at on the road, the glasses would tell me what's going on while the phone would feed data to it with navigation or information on places.
I do see that glasses ( or sunglass style goggles for better screen contrast while having visibility to see through is better ) with hand detection to manipulate 3D space will be the next big step instead of tapping on screen. It would almost have that 'holographic' experience working with data on the visuals. That, I think, is the ultimate way to interact with an OS, powered by a desktop or mobile device.
As an artist myself, I like doing things hands on.
Backpack styled machines will get smaller and portable for it to work. I know that companies can do it. It doesn't have to be Apple but anyone. If I had an HTC Vive, I would have a field day doing Tilt Brush or similar creating visuals or building models.
Or as a fencer myself, with goggles, I could do shadow fencing for practice with my epee on point control at home. Almost fencing a virtual fencer opposite of me. That's far better than having to buy a dummy or tie up golf balls to the ceiling with string to practice with.
Or even better, a VR MMORG for immersion for any PC/Mac/tablet would be killer, not too different than the concept from the Sword Art Online anime show that did exactly that. I'm quite shocked that Disney has not even thought of doing a Tron online RPG for players to act as avatars ( how extremely meta would that be ) using VR gear. I would've gone for that in seconds and get lost in that world.
The potential is there.
