Whether or not a user can see the real world through their 3D interface does not change the fidelity or pervasiveness of spatial computing.

AR is VR.
MR is VR.
XR is VR.

To look at the industry like its a competition between two disparate interfaces is like telling someone a smartphone isn’t a mobile computer. Sure, there may be various ways to get mobile VR to market (i.e. the way smart“phones” placed a computer in all of our pockets) but the inherent relationship between a user and spatial computing remains the same.

There is no better or worse, there are only various use cases for spatial computing. We can continue to distinguish between AR and VR as a means to clarify use cases, my only hope is the unified relationship between the two is made apparent.

It will take dedicated teams to build the killer applications of VR. My advice for anyone jumping into VR for the “~120B payout” is to try your luck in Vegas. Nascent industries require grit and persistence, not wishful thinking.

A great read as always Tony!