[TorbjornLunde]

I think Oculus Rift i combination with something like Leap could lead the way for useful 3D-interfaces. I don’t like the term VR reality. To me it’s the skeuomorphism of the 3D-world. Instead of trying to simulate the real world, why not use 3D to express more abstract concepts (like we already are doing with 2D screens).

Of course, in time something like holograms will be more relevant, but in the mean time I think things like Oculus Rift in combination with other technologies can be a nice stop-gap.

[ctdonath]

Skeuomorphism is necessary to ease people into a radically new/different interface. Once they've grown accustomed to the new interface, then the skeuomorphism can be removed as it has gone from guidance to impediment. For VR, people aren't used to literally looking & moving around a 3D environment, so recreating the real world is necessary to ease them into the differences of the interface until they grasp it...THEN we can start changing what's perceived to express more abstract concepts.

For all the familiarity people have with the abstractions of interfaces on 2D screens, they're still just a flat limited surface within the space of our visual perception, and required skeuomorphism to ease people into familiarity therewith. VR is a massive change, which has to start by satisfying familiarity via sufficient imitation of the real world; once someone gets comfortable using it to the point of foregoing real scenarios in favor of virtual ones, then we can start tweaking the virtual to do things previously impossible and yet are natural extensions of their new understanding of the VR interface.

[acous]

The Leap itself isn't very practical with the rift/VR since it needs line of sight with your fingers and tilting your hand sideway causes a loss of detection of most of your fingers. You would need multiple sensors at different locations to overcome this which doesn't seem practical. I find wands (razer hydra) to be useful, like how a mouse is more accurate than touch. The multiple physical buttons and extra controls like analogue joysticks and triggers is a benefit too.

[fusiongyro]

I want to agree with you, but with 2D the non-gaming uses were obvious and immediately saw use and I don't see that with 3D.