> Remember, videoconferencing was also dead and nobody used it… until they suddenly did.
People use videoconferencing now in spite of its flaws because they have to. Once the pandemic is truly over it will gradually return to near its old levels.
The fundamental issue is that a lot of people have shitty internet. VR doesn't change that. Replacing shitty videoconferencing with shitty VRconferencing is not a compelling option unless you really benefit from the VR (maybe architects?).
> Once the pandemic is truly over it will gradually return to near its old levels.
Given the extreme push to retain remote work, I’d say this is unlikely.
> The fundamental issue is that a lot of people have shitty internet. VR doesn't change that.
I’ve been in middle of nowhere rural areas and still could get 10mbps, which is plenty for video conferencing. Though admittedly this requires demand and local action.
My broader point was about the younger generation. They are quite fond of videoconferencing in my experience where teens and early 20s are on it half the time while they do other things. Most have good enough mobile phones for FaceTime or WhatsApp video. Average internet speeds (and thus Wifi) are in the 40-50 mbit range, which is plenty for a typical 750kbps video conference (1.5-3 mbps or so if you want HD). Even LTE rates are getting better.
Uneven bandwidth hasn’t stopped Netflix or YouTube from taking over our culture. More interactive video and VR makes sense as a coming wave. The demand will grow over the coming decade, and if the wireline infrastructure isn’t upgraded, people will switch to satellite or wireless. Zuckerberg is looking 20-30 years out.
People use videoconferencing now in spite of its flaws because they have to. Once the pandemic is truly over it will gradually return to near its old levels.
The fundamental issue is that a lot of people have shitty internet. VR doesn't change that. Replacing shitty videoconferencing with shitty VRconferencing is not a compelling option unless you really benefit from the VR (maybe architects?).