Will VR/AR remove the need of a keyboard and mouse?

Fariha Khan
February 15, 2017
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But after over three decades of mouse-and-keyboard computing, we have come to see the next major advancement in user interfaces: Virtual and augmented reality. VR and AR are on track to become the dominant method of computer interaction in the next 10-15 years, driving all kinds of new hardware and software innovations.

A recent article looked at the adoption cycle of VR gear:

"For all the hype around the new Sony SNE 1.35% PlayStation VR, Microsoft MSFT -0.12% HoloLens, or Nolan Bushnell’s new Modal VR gear, just 6% of Americans will own any of these devices this year.”

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According to a research, about 11.4 million American adults will pony up for one of the above-mentioned devices—or a Google Cardboard or HTC Vive among other gizmos—by the end of 2017.

It’s a great way to begin acting as a way to familiarize VR and AR to the masses. However, the reality is that most people will not want to use goggles or glasses to interact with a computing device. So it'll take time for these technologies to go middle-of-the-road. In addition, most people will have their first experiences with VR and AR on a mobile device - the affordable way to explore the new technology.

Interestingly, every major tech firm is working on some type of VR and AR, or both. Facebook has VR firm Oculus, Sony introduced the PlayStation VR sometime back while Microsoft has its HoloLens.

It appears that Apple that will bring AR to the masses. CEO Tim Cook has stated a number of times that he is interest in AR, which indicates that the technology might come in some form with the next iPhone.

While its fine to use a keyboard and mouse to interact with a computer. But kicking that interaction up a notch could reveal entirely unpredictable new ways of being prolific with a computer. AR and VR-based computing epitomizes the next advancement in user interface design. It will transform our personal and work lives soon.