The next few years in the world of technology are going to be incredibly interesting. And while it’s probably true that this can be said for most points in time during the last 2-3 decades, right now we’re looking at the advance of technologies like the Oculus Rift and Razer Hydra which are completely redefining the way we interact with computers and entertainment systems. The way we use a computer a few years from now could very well be drastically different from the experience we have now, and looking at some recent previews that have been shown publicly, the future could be even more amazing than the boldest sci-fi movies.
In the latest example, design student Bryon Mallett is trying to tackle the problem of interface complexity of audio production software. Tools for making music and sounds have traditionally been quite difficult to use, requiring the user to spend a lot of time familiarizing themselves with the complex interface, and learning where everything is. And then, finding the option one needs sometimes ends up feeling like searching for a needle in a haystack.
With the help of the Oculus Rift, Mallett has managed to redefine the way music production software is used, combining the device with a custom set of Virtual Reality gloves – not too different from the Razer Hydra, from what it seems, yet not quite the same either. With Mallett’s design, users can interact with their music production tools as if they were real-life “programs”, where they could manipulate the controls by just stretching out their arms in the appropriate direction.
The gloves are actually based on the Razer Hydra, using their tracking sensors for positioning information, however Mallett seems to have altered the overall design significantly in order to adapt it to his own needs.
Something particularly interesting about Mallett’s software suite is that it’s focused specifically for live performances, with the help of its “Session View”. This could completely revolutionize the way electronic musicians deliver their performances in real life, and in the future, electronic concerts could become a much more exciting, interactive experience unlike anything other concerts have brought to the stage before.
What else can we expect to see a few years from now? Our homes will likely look drastically different down the road, especially around our computers. It’s not unlikely that at some point in the future, a mouse and keyboard would look out of place on a traditional computer desk, replaced by other input devices, completely different from what we’re used to now. Maybe the Oculus Rift will play a role in this exciting future, maybe it will be something entirely different – but we’re about to see some interesting changes, that’s for sure.