If VR is the next major computing platform, where does that leave mobile?

If you listen to some tech leaders, like Mark Zuckerberg for example, you might also subscribe to the theory that VR and AR will be the next big platforms in computing. It is a logical step considering people are continually craving more immersive experiences in technology. We’ve seen this a return of 3D technology in devices like our TVs and also in movies. So we could be on the horizon of a new age where data becomes something we can work on with our own two hands instead of a mouse and keyboard. Which is a fascinating place to be, if I do say so myself. But that begs the question, if VR platform is the next big thing, where does that leave mobile?

Not so fast

This is concerning on multiple levels since we all love our mobile tech, and some of us work for sites dedicated to mobile technology. But AR and VR are more of a step beyond mobile technology. So, if VR is the next big platform, then where will we be with our phones and tablets? Will we be left in the dust? Is my Honor 8 simply tomorrow’s Atari 7800 only to be buried in the desert like so many E.T.: Extra Terrestrial games?

I don’t think things are quite so dire. After all, it’s not like we’re looking at a VR/AR explosion any time soon. Our phones and tablets will be just fine for years to come, believe me. But it stands to reason that a VR revolution is on the way, so it’s best to be prepared for it. Pokemon Go…remember when people played that for about a minute and a half? It introduced a lot of people to AR in an interesting and engaging kind of way – until people flipped the switch off because it was easier.

Who are you wearing?

But even so, that does bring me to the section of our site I intentionally left out – wearables. Wearables – and to some extent phones – are going to be a huge part of our mobile tech/VR future. AR and VR don’t just show up and appear out of the air. We will be carrying something and/or wearing something that enables us to interact with the virtual world. Maybe it’ll be like Google Glass, maybe it’ll be like Hololens. Most likely, it’ll be somewhere in between – insert obligatory Wesley Crusher screencap here:

There we go. But at the end of the day, we will be wearing our mobile technology, and phones will still be a critical part of that. And there are a few good reasons for this.

Big battery is no bueno

First, unless battery tech takes a huge leap at some point, batteries are still going to be big and heavy. Those are two traits that do not mesh with wearable technology. Perhaps in the future, batteries will be tiny, and catch up with the rest of our tech. But for the time being, something is going to have to be driving that [...]

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from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2017/02/01/vr-next-platform