3D without glass from Fujitsu

The problem which I described as the toughest for the industry to solve for 3D is already history! 

Esprimo FH99/CM from Fujitsu is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) overlaid with panel which converts the images into 3D, by splitting the images to each eye to create the 3D effect.

The technology used is Autostereoscopic and is not suitable for big screens so still some miles to go for big boys to start jumping in but can definitely be of use for tablets and phone. So by the end of the year 2011 you can see this rolling out on iphones, htc and samsung tablets for sure!

Reference:-

http://www.3dtvwatcher.co.uk/fujitsu-unveils-glasses-free-3d-monitor-1297/

cheers
-v

VIRTUAL REALITY GAMING WITH 3D

I did mention in my last post that I do see gaming having another future other than 3D. It is with 3D but with a lot of other action! 

The Wii controller vibrates when you hit your ball playing tennis giving you a nice effect. It also comes with a lot of other accessories which make you feel as if you are playing the actual game for e.g. the gun holder, the car wheel, the golf club. So far so good. The immediate next expansion can be things like shin guards and other soccer accessories. But the most important part of this is not only to provide the accessories like boots with which you can kick but also things like chest pads which can vibrate on being hit or a head band which can produce the effect of heading and arm bands for fouls! Accessories are not just to give inputs to the console they will be involve the players more in the game and give him the feeling of a real life like situation. 

This effect specially comes into play in combat games. Younger generations are crazy about being spies or martial art heroes and war games. The next evolution to involve them more along with 3D will be to give them more accessories which bring them into the game. Like a pressure pad which works like a blood pressure gauge around your arm and when full inflated makes you quite uncomfortable. Activate it with a sensor and produce the effect with a bullet hit in a war game or a cut simulating pain during sword fight! 

Back in 2008 I heard a rumour that adidas had bought a company which made made suites to check your body performance when you work out. Unfortunately it did not come through because the suites don't work if you sweat! But this won't be the limitation for long. These suites will be vital for professionals as they can check out of the field which part of the body needs more work to perform better. Move this suite to virtual games and you get some fantastic results like your right calf is strained and your have to stop cycling for the next 15 seconds or during a sword play you got a cut on the left arm touch the sensor to apply bandage and check the bleeding based on the arm activity. if more activity bleed more and hence the player still looses. Instead of having multiple chances you can have only 1 chance and make it feel more real! 

Gaming is very popular in western countries but is just catching up in India and China. The sheer number of players that you can push to is overwhelming in these countries. But the need of these countries is different. I cannot speak of China but I can definitely write about India. The future games for these countries will be very different than those of the western countries

Many factors affect the gaming industry in India. First and foremost is the cost of the console. It will roughly cost 10-15K INR just for the console and then every game is just another 1k INR. Not easily convincing for any of the Indian parents because people outside the IT industry will be paid the consoles amount as their monthly salary. Only the affluent class (which again is not small) will move in for games. Second factor - Age - very few above 30 would spend time in games. So your main market is people who's finances are controlled by their parents. Another important  factor is the idea that video games are addiction and distraction for a child. So even if you can afford this last factor kills.

But, there is one channel! mostly ALL Indian parents would sacrifice a lot beyond normal to give their children the best in the education field which can enhance their child's potential at an early age. Brain Training and maths and science are favourites.Games around these can fetch a handsome market if marketed correctly. Again a lot of Indian parents cannot afford to travel around the world but they want their children to know about the world and games relating to travel and increasing the knowledge of different countries can be sweet as heaven! And when the kids show progress in these areas fun is bestowed using other games. 

What I have discussed is not very distant and can be achieved easily and fast. We have all the technology needed, we just need to put them together and move from a 2D space to a 3D virtual reality! 

-v

AVATAR - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT FOR 3D

In 2009, 3D changed everything! We entered the virtual world! Avatar was not only a master piece as a film but it triggered a wave of mass movement towards 3D. Some results are already here and some will come in the future. It definitely has changed the film industry but this change will gradually move into other areas as well.

With the DVD launch of Avatar 3D television came to life and now, 3D camcorders. Xbox, Sony PS3 also cached on the avatar effect. Nitendo 3DS followed ( simply pier pressure!). Some 3D games are already available. Matured and more popular games will be the big gainers in the coming years when the move on 3D. Gaming has a another future too, but that I will discuss in my next post THE FUTURE OF GAMING!

Wanna play avatar over the net with your friends? Put your glass on and log on! 3D content over the net would mean you cannot function without fibre optics! BT and Virgin are already on track! But unfortunately even after launching its first 3D channel, and planning to launch many more in 2011, sky is yet to invest in fibre optics! May be they are planning to use the satellite for data!

Once data gets 3D enabled apply and google have to jump in. The next upgrade will be to ensure you can enjoy your favourite 3D shows and games on your hand held. Then there will be apps in 3D?! Pick one. lets say, Angry bird! Teens will love it and people like me will worry more about their pockets than the experience and fun. It will All come, sooner or later.

The difficult one will be to give you face time or Skype in 3D. Because here we are dealing with live people and I don't think just enabling them for 3D will be enough. I don't want to see a 3 inch 3D face of my dad talking to me. That will be creepy! Here a magnifier is a must! On second thoughts 3D caricatures can be fun too :) Another interesting development will be in conference rooms where now 3D view will enable more in-person experience.

But communication has one fundamental problem. You don't want to see everyone with 3D glasses in a conference or in a conversation over phone. Getting rid of the glasses will be perhaps the single biggest challenge the industry faces. But If Nintendo 3DS can make an attempt in this direction others might not be far away. My estimate, a maximum of 2 years before before we actually start living the STAR WARS age!

Now, imagine yourself in your living room and walking through M&S aisles. Lifting a dress with your hands, turning it around looking at the label and reading the care instructions. Or, walking through the aisles of Tesco and picking your groceries with your own hands. Oh and you have a question, say "excuse me" and a virtual assistant appears who helps you through your way, offers some special things and shows you the best collection they have and stays with you till you check out and they packing it and informing you, we will deliver it to your house.

Fiction?! Put the following together: Microsoft Kinect, Internet TV, Voice search and Voice control and a team of developers who can convert the floating aisles of cooliris to an actual shop look and feel!

Undoubtedly 3D is the future in all areas and Avatar was the trigger. James Cameron will be paid only for his film and the games, but I believe he deserves much more!

Cheers,

v