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In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

nytimes.com

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Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#61

Post by happyslobro »

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #51
KaoruAoiShiho wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hardware is commoditized but brands are not. Anyone can make handbags but only some can sell them for $5000. Oculus has potential to be as profitable as Apple if they absolutely nail the execution and the experience. But it remains to the be seen if the Rift is an iphone or a newton. Being tethered to a high end gaming pc "dooms" it to be a niche product. How soon can Oculus either ally with a console or make a conso…

> Oculus has potential to be as profitable as Apple if they absolutely nail the execution and the experience. No. VR won't be that popular. I know that's hard for people on HN to hear, but it's true. Sure it'll make money selling to geeks and nerds, but that's all.

VR makes me nauseous. I think it is because of that slight delay in feedback from head motion. Or, maybe it's the awareness that if I actually move around, I'll collide with something.

I think I'm going to stick to large curved screens for now, and hold out for holograms later.

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#62

Post by kriro »

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #56
chaostheory wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why?

Similar reason to why 3D TV failed; nobody likes stuff on their face.

Not too long ago people assumed that nobody likes to wander around with huge battery packs attached to their smartphones. If the perceived value is great people are willing to put up with a lot of crazy stuff.

Also I know plenty of people who wear glasses to reap the value of better sight. Why isn't it conceptually possible for people to wear other stuff to reap other benefits?

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#63

Post by kriro »

randiantech wrote: post #21
KaoruAoiShiho wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hardware is commoditized but brands are not. Anyone can make handbags but only some can sell them for $5000. Oculus has potential to be as profitable as Apple if they absolutely nail the execution and the experience. But it remains to the be seen if the Rift is an iphone or a newton. Being tethered to a high end gaming pc "dooms" it to be a niche product. How soon can Oculus either ally with a console or make a conso…

I think you nailed it. Oculus is order to not become a niche product needs to be sold as part of a console bundle. That would make premium VR to a one pressed button distance. Maybe Project Scorpio + Oculus? Scorpio specs seems to be enough for a good VR experencie.

I agree the hardware requirements are the real downer for mass adoption. I'm eagerly awaiting the Playstation VR headset (preordered) and I agree that next gen XBox is probably the best strategic partner (since it's close to a PC with graphics focus). It'll be interesting who Microsoft partners with.

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#64

Post by kriro »

arcticfox wrote: post #18
wookiegorilla wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Building 8 != Area 404. One is a team and the other is a place.

Which is the team and which is the place? Those are both place names to me.

My thoughts as well. I'd guess Building 8 since that is probably based on Hateful 8? So basically the 8 that build stuff (building used as a verb).

Pure speculation though.

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#65

Post by blahi »

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #51
KaoruAoiShiho wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hardware is commoditized but brands are not. Anyone can make handbags but only some can sell them for $5000. Oculus has potential to be as profitable as Apple if they absolutely nail the execution and the experience. But it remains to the be seen if the Rift is an iphone or a newton. Being tethered to a high end gaming pc "dooms" it to be a niche product. How soon can Oculus either ally with a console or make a conso…

> Oculus has potential to be as profitable as Apple if they absolutely nail the execution and the experience. No. VR won't be that popular. I know that's hard for people on HN to hear, but it's true. Sure it'll make money selling to geeks and nerds, but that's all.

VR is the next on the shelf next to Segway and smart bands and watches.

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#66

Post by freyir »

rezashirazian wrote: post #42

Why is there such emphasis on black and hispanics in a company's diversity formula whereas Indians and other Asian ethnicity are usually ignored. If a company is inherently biased and discriminates against non-white individuals, then wouldn't they do it against all minorities not just blacks and hispanics?

Because East Asians and Indians, like whites, are overrepresented in U.S. tech companies? And blacks and Hispanics are underrepresented?

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#68

Post by saiya-jin »

kriro wrote: post #62
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Similar reason to why 3D TV failed; nobody likes stuff on their face.

Not too long ago people assumed that nobody likes to wander around with huge battery packs attached to their smartphones. If the perceived value is great people are willing to put up with a lot of crazy stuff. Also I know plenty of people who wear glasses to reap the value of better sight. Why isn't it conceptually possible for people to wear other stuff to reap other benefits?

most people with glasses hate glasses, but it's necessary for daily life and survival. i know 0 persons who routinely walk around with battery packs for example, and I work in IT so all techies around me.

as much as I am a tech geek, VR with huge headsets is really niche product. people look like idiots, it's restrictive, many people have health issues with it etc. I'll probably buy a headset after it gains real traction (ie most AAA games will work flawlessly in them), but not sooner.

Re: In a Sign of Broader Ambitions, Facebook Opens Hardware Lab

#70

Post by JustSomeNobody »

kriro wrote: post #62
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Similar reason to why 3D TV failed; nobody likes stuff on their face.

Not too long ago people assumed that nobody likes to wander around with huge battery packs attached to their smartphones. If the perceived value is great people are willing to put up with a lot of crazy stuff. Also I know plenty of people who wear glasses to reap the value of better sight. Why isn't it conceptually possible for people to wear other stuff to reap other benefits?

I worked my way through college in the optical industry. People hate wearing glasses. Sure there are a few that do it for fashion, but most would rather never have to put them on.
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