Desktop Environments
After having used my Dev Kit for more than just a few hours, I think some discussion should be opened about how Oculus and soon-to-be competing products should handle the displaying of desktop environments and other basic graphical information (like text).
I personally don't feel like everything has to be 3d and immersive while using an HMD. For instance, a desktop interface can still be just plain old 2D. The idea behind having a desktop is to have everything you need on front of you and easy to access and, really, adding another dimension to the process just makes things more complicated. Adding 3D effects to a desktop environment can add flare - as in the beloved Compiz Fusion - but the interface itself is still essentially 2D and quite effective for navigation.
The biggest question that I'd like to raise at this point is whether or not Oculus Rift should have 3D drivers built into the device firmware. Although this may be more expensive and complicated to develop, I think it is worth serious consideration. With 3D drivers built into the device, the Rift can act as any other plug-and-play device. No need to use separate software installed on the computer that only works with such-and-such a game. If the device firmware can simply take the original image output from the HDMI, split it, and and have it's own calibration settings built in (that can be saved in profiles), the Rift could be compatible with any electronic device that has a display output - including phones, BluRay, etc...
The general idea, I suppose, is that being able to plug the Rift into the computer and having your 2D desktop displayed and functional, as well as being able to display email, or lean back and read an ebook without the need to install separate software - or even be on a PC for that matter - seems to me like it would make the Rift a more universal product.
If you consider how many more units could be sold - to a consumer base that is not just gamers, but anyone wanting a plug-and-play portable entertainment device - This may be worth the effort.
I personally don't feel like everything has to be 3d and immersive while using an HMD. For instance, a desktop interface can still be just plain old 2D. The idea behind having a desktop is to have everything you need on front of you and easy to access and, really, adding another dimension to the process just makes things more complicated. Adding 3D effects to a desktop environment can add flare - as in the beloved Compiz Fusion - but the interface itself is still essentially 2D and quite effective for navigation.
The biggest question that I'd like to raise at this point is whether or not Oculus Rift should have 3D drivers built into the device firmware. Although this may be more expensive and complicated to develop, I think it is worth serious consideration. With 3D drivers built into the device, the Rift can act as any other plug-and-play device. No need to use separate software installed on the computer that only works with such-and-such a game. If the device firmware can simply take the original image output from the HDMI, split it, and and have it's own calibration settings built in (that can be saved in profiles), the Rift could be compatible with any electronic device that has a display output - including phones, BluRay, etc...
The general idea, I suppose, is that being able to plug the Rift into the computer and having your 2D desktop displayed and functional, as well as being able to display email, or lean back and read an ebook without the need to install separate software - or even be on a PC for that matter - seems to me like it would make the Rift a more universal product.
If you consider how many more units could be sold - to a consumer base that is not just gamers, but anyone wanting a plug-and-play portable entertainment device - This may be worth the effort.