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Microsoft Plans VR Simulation of Everything?
Ian Lamont writes "Microsoft recently updated ESP, a virtual reality modeling platform that until now has primarily been used to model aircraft and flight simulations. Microsoft has plans to expand it to other industries such as real estate and urban planning, but one of the most interesting possibilities could be what one observer refers to as a 'simulation of everything,' based on Virtual Earth and perhaps even user-generated content. Indeed, Microsoft's research chief has been promoting the idea of commerce applications and other tools built on top of what he calls the 'Spatial Web', a blend of 3D, video, and location-aware technologies. He gave an example of a shopkeeper creating 3D models of his store's interior and goods with Photosynth and then uploading the results into a large 3D model of local shopping district. Customers could 'visit' the area, browse products, and order them for real-world delivery."
It is, but lets be honest. The point of these "virtual world" interfaces is so that an unfamiliar person can use skills they already know to use the computer. When a 65 year old lady tries to use a computer for the first time, it can be strange and overwhelming. If she was able to see and interact with the system in a paradigm that she is already knows how to deal with, the anxiety and reluctance will come way down.
"When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
gaah. this is the sort of drivel that managers beat over and looks good in slideshows.
this smacks of first life... http://www.getafirstlife.com/
at the end of the day I can see the appeal of virtual models of real events, for example
1. police officers using stereoscopic cameras to build a very, very detailed model of the crime scene that can be explored later on or shown to a jury
2. virtual walk through of museums, natural wonders or education exhibits
but shopping and other mundane aspects of life? the obvious comment is that it will waste power, take longer and never be as satisfying as the real thing.
that said, if you can build me a holodeck then I am pretty sure I will never leave it, nothing could be as important as the simulated Monica Belluci and her simulated identical sisters.