Along with the launch of the new Oculus Quest 2, Facebook not only wants to democratize virtual reality. It also seeks to offer new proposals for all those who work remotely with their Infinite Office . An interesting idea, although it is not new, but it is still wrong where it is executed and how.
A virtual office space
A matter of a couple of years ago, Facebook launched Oculus for Business , a software package designed to offer different business tools to interested companies. An interesting initiative that allowed from very specific things to others such as working in virtual environments simulating a real one, where you could even hold meetings with other colleagues as if they were all in the same room.
These options were improved with new developments like Passthrough and now comes Inifinite Office. This proposal consists of providing the user with tools that allow them to build their own virtual office with everything they would need to be able to work more comfortably than sitting next to their laptop. Or that’s the theory. So, before talking any further, take a look at the video.
As you can see, it is not a complex idea, nor is it new because the company itself has already made similar demos. However, due to how technology advances in terms of the benefits at the hardware level of virtual reality glasses, it is somewhat more feasible. Here, for example, everything runs on the new Oculus Quest 2.
However, despite using so many screens, being able to adjust them in size, move them in position and interact based on gestures that virtually pinch the elements to select them, as if this were Minority Report, there is something that makes us think that it is not the ideal solution.
For a demonstration there is no doubt that everything is very futuristic and in a way Infinite Office is an attractive idea, but can you imagine working for several hours with an Oculus on ? The truth is that we don’t. And that we do not have the dizziness or visual fatigue that many this type of solutions generate.
Therefore, why is Facebook launching such a proposal? Where would it really make sense? Well, maybe the answer is in Project Aria.
Facebook and its Ray-Ban AR glasses
Along with the new Oculus and that Infinite Office demo, the company also talked about its plan to create augmented reality glasses with Ray-Ben . And yes, there is a lot of potential here. Because when you think about redefining the office, offering new options to users who are working remotely, there is no reason to look for a way to “transfer” them back to monotonous and boring spaces. Precisely because many seek in teleworking an escape route to that world.
Therefore, the idea would be to allow them to combine the real world with the digital one and for that augmented reality is the answer. That’s what Facebook’s research departments are working on, at Project Aria. A project that now and if all goes well will bring together with Ray-Ban a desire to see the world in a different way.
Hugo Barra, head of Facebook in virtual reality and Oculus issues, published a tweet where he effectively indicated that this could be the future. And it is something that we believe it will indeed be. Because not only Facebook is very involved in augmented reality issues.
So, if all goes well, the new ranges created between both companies could arrive in 2021 and we would start to see everything it has to offer on a day-to-day basis, in work environments, leisure, etc.
The only and great problem will be the same as always for the company directed by Marc Zuckerberg, who will trust Facebook glasses capable of seeing what you see at all times? If with what you post on networks they are already able to get a lot of information, imagine knowing what catches your eye.
Therefore, in addition to advancing at a technological level, it is important that they also make a level of reputation and trust. Because if not, it doesn’t matter whether or not they get the best technology and product. If a company like Apple arrives with its Apple Glass and that privacy speech that it handles so well right now, it will eat the toast. And that’s not to mention that the advances with ARKit are already frankly surprising.
