Usage of smartphones as VR-devices will become mainstream

An exclusive report titled “Technology and prospects of virtual reality” was presented at the 6th KYIV MEDIA WEEK by Tom Burton, the leading expert in innovations at the Department of digital storytelling of the BBC Studios. According to the speaker, future development in this area will lead to widespread use of smartphones as platforms for consuming various VR-projects. Personal computers and game consoles also serve as such platforms, but the mainstream consumer is gradually leaving such devices behind.

At the presentation, Tom Barton also underscored that there is a tendency to merge AR and VR – augmented and virtual reality. He spoke about the main opportunities that exist today, and about the variety of the types of VR-content. Burton noted the areas that are the most promising and attractive for producers who work in this medium – such as medicine, education, gaming, documentary filmmaking and animation. Tom also demonstrated the first developments in the production of educational content at the BBC – in particular, he presented a draft of the project called “Home: Spacewalk Experience” – a virtual tour at the International Space Station, created by Barton himself.

According to the speaker, the VR technology due to its recent emergence is experiencing certain difficulties (for example, a problem with sound and the problem of finding effective ways to monetize it), and yet it is one of the most attractive for investment – according to experts by 2020 the global VR market will reach $150 billion.

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