The Infinite Retina: Spatial Computing, Augmented Reality, and how a collision of new technologies are bringing about the next tech revolution Kindle Edition

“The Infinite Retina: Spatial Computing, Augmented Reality, and how a collision of new technologies are bringing about the next tech revolution” is a fascinating new book by Irena Cronin and Robert Scoble. Just like the AR Cloud they describe that is building a digital 3D map of our world, the authors weave a detailed landscape of the current state and future of Spatial Computing. They introduce us to not only the technologies involved, but the visionaries, industry experts, companies, and products that are powering this tech transformation and the changes it will bring.Spatial Computing is the umbrella term for the technologies that humans and machines require to navigate and interact in a digital 3D world. This includes Computer Vision, AI, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and the software and hardware that enables the development and maintenance of digital 3D environments. The book examines these technologies through the prism of seven industry verticals: TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications), Transportation, Manufacturing, Retail, Finance, Healthcare, and Education. The authors illustrate how the latest advances in Spatial Computing are being leveraged by each of these verticals, the innovations we can expect to see in the next five years and beyond, and how these advances will alter the way we live, work, and play.Scoble and Cronin explain how a virtual computing big bang is being made possible by combining rapidly evolving Spatial Computing technologies with 5G. 5G, the incredibly fast new wireless technology, will provide the tremendous bandwidth and very low latency required to usher in a virtual computing revolution. This will be a transition from using a physical mouse and keyboard, flat screens, laptops, and smartphones, to a form of computing that we wear that allows us to interact with a digital 3D world with our hands, eyes, body, and voice.The authors believe this transition is in line with the “Prime Directive” of humans, which is basically to create and utilize tools that will increase our chance of survival and improve the quality of our lives. Spatial Computing comprises our latest tools and their benefits are many. Some of the advantages include increased productivity, lower costs, reduced carbon footprint, better healthcare, more effective education, fewer accidents/deaths, better accessibility, and new forms of communication, self-expression, and entertainment. When you add in the ability to have autonomous vehicles, enhanced ad targeting systems, robot employees (that do not require PTO and other benefits), spatial wearables, and virtual events, it becomes obvious why industry goliaths like Tesla, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple are investing billions of dollars in Spatial Computing.One of the book’s great strengths is that these technologies are explained in a straightforward manner using vivid examples that non-technical people can easily understand and relate to. Cronin and Scoble provide amusing anecdotes as they introduce us to a variety of apps, content, products, stores, and locations where you can experience or witness Spatial Computing first-hand. This is particularly useful because of the highly visual and immersive nature of some of the technologies, especially Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. To fully understand the benefits and wonders, you really need to experience them for yourself. I’ve always enjoyed watching friends, family, and colleagues react with awe and excitement the first time they experience the magic of virtual reality. The hands-on experience provides a tangible glimpse into the profound transformations Spatial Computing is bringing to our world.I can personally attest to some of the benefits of Spatial Computing mentioned in this book. The chapter on Virtual Healthcare covers examples of how VR is being utilized to alleviate pain. Back in early 2019, I had hernia surgery. The first week after surgery was particularly painful. During this time, a friend and I used our Oculus Gos to meet up in VR. We explored my virtual pad, shared 2D and 360 photos, and played the wingsuit flying game RUSH and Boggle. Normally, I wouldn’t jump out of an airplane after surgery to relieve myself of pain, but to do this and other flow-engaging activities in VR allowed me to lose track of time and distract me from my discomfort (at least until my headset battery ran out).Improved learning and memory retention is another huge benefit of Spatial Computing. This “experiential digital learning” is more effective because humans tend to remember things better when they can visualize them and experience them directly. The learning can also be delivered in real time on top of things we need to learn to manipulate. For example, I am currently using Tvori, a VR animation and prototyping tool. While creating a character animation in VR, I am able to access short video clips by hovering over icons of various features I am trying to use. Each clip appears above the icon and illustrates how to use the feature. It saves time and makes the process easier to remember.In the myriad of ways the authors predict we will be using Spatial Computing, they posit lightweight AR/VR glasses as the “holy grail” that will allow us to easily access and leverage these technologies. The Oculus Quest, which shipped in May 2019, is a significant product in this respect. Finally a wireless, affordable, and easy to use headset had arrived that provides 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) and two hand controllers to move around and interact in virtual reality. This product opened up VR to new audiences in the same way the Apple II allowed regular folks to own a personal computer for the first time.Though Facebook (which owns Oculus) has plans for a lighter pair of Augmented Reality glasses, the authors contend that mass consumer adoption of Spatial Computing will not happen until Apple releases their AR/VR glasses. Apple is one of a handful of companies that has the brand, distribution, supply chain, marketing, ecosystem, and design and customer experience to introduce Spatial Computing to the mass market. They currently have two spatial glasses products in the works. It seems logical that Apple could deliver the AR/VR glasses equivalent of the iPhone with a variety of innovative AR/VR apps and games in their App Store and set the market ablaze.Though some find Facebook’s business model based on advertising and their track record with data privacy troubling, the company does have some formidable strengths that could enable mass consumer adoption of Spatial Computing: two billion+ users, the market power to subsidize AR/VR devices to keep their prices down, and a variety of high-quality and popular VR apps, games, and content on their Oculus store. Just like with Mac vs. PC and iPhone vs. Android, I expect a heated rivalry in the AR/VR glasses space, with tech titans Apple and Facebook squaring off for spatial glasses hegemony.When we wear AR/VR glasses with cameras and sensors or visit locations that use Spatial Computing technologies, things we look at, our movements, what we talk about, and anything we interact with can be tracked. The massive amount of data these “infinite retinas” collect about everything and everybody is part of what allows these technologies to be so powerful and transformative. The authors realize how this might make some of us feel and ask that we “don’t get all Black Mirror and dystopian” on them.The final chapter addresses the potential dangers and ethical issues surrounding Spatial Computing. Risks relating to privacy, security, identity, and ownership and potential ways to mitigate these challenges are covered. Societal peer review boards could be setup to provide recommendations to people in evaluating company and organizational requests for their data. Companies will also need to be especially transparent about their data policies and have appropriate opt-in guidelines to meet the expectations of the public. We need to take personal responsibility and make informed decisions about what we do with our data. There are enormous benefits that could be received by sharing data on an individual and societal level, but we need to remain vigilant to ensure our embracing of Spatial Computing does not become a Faustian bargain.As much as I enjoyed this book, I do have a couple of quibbles. There is a bit of redundancy, where some information is repeated in different chapters. However, if you do not read the book cover to cover in a short period of time, the repetition can be helpful in refreshing your memory of certain insights (the authors research confirms learning done by book is less likely to be remembered than learning delivered in 3D/VR/AR). My other issue is with the section on Location-based VR. When describing Sandbox VR, they mentioned their experiences were only playing in two locations: Los Angeles and Cerritos, California. I know there is also a Sandbox VR at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo - I attended the Star Trek: Discovery Away Mission experience there in January 2020 before the book was finished. It’s temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but if you are in the Bay Area, I definitely recommend checking it out when it re-opens. It’s a lot of fun and can also be a great team building exercise to do with colleagues.The authors’ analysis on the changes Spatial Computing will bring to our world is so persuasive and compelling, I had to keep reminding myself these are still just predictions/opinions, albeit very well-informed ones. I believe the future they are describing is coming, but some of the developments may take a little longer than forecasted. We live in turbulent times, and there are too many x-factors (resolving issues with 5G, economic fallout of COVID-19, popularization of light-weight spatial glasses, regulatory authorities, etc.) that could delay mass adoption of Spatial Computing.The Infinite Retina taps the technological zeitgeist. Dozens of TED Talks could be created from the exhaustive, thought-provoking subject matter. It was awe-inspiring to learn how things that used to be the realm of science-fiction books and movies will begin to be realized this decade. The book will undoubtedly appeal to futurists and business and technology professionals. However, the authors’ wide-ranging, detailed, and entertaining exploration of the numerous ways Spatial Computing is going to affect our everyday lives should also appeal to anyone curious about the imminent, seismic transformation. I highly recommend this book. And this review was not written by a bot.

Published in 2020, The Infinite Retina is a highly readable and up-to-date book on a subject that can quickly become dated in a couple years. It offers a nice balance between the all-to-common musings on the future potential of VR/AR and the latest trends in product development and the marketplace. Even the impacts of COVID-19 and 5G are discussed in several areas, as well as recent industry shakeouts among startups and the big VR players. The authors take a focused look at vertical market segments in addressing areas in such as transportation, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, finance, and education. The authors are associated with a Pasadena-based tech consultancy of the same name, so readers are delightfully spared from academic theory. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the future of VR and AR in the current marketplace. As good as it is, I was annoyed on a few style points: The book is basically about VR and AR, but the authors insist on using the capitalized moniker "Spatial Computing." This could be a marketing hook, but I think it misses the mark; Once past the beautiful cover, the book's layout is not very pleasing to the retina. Its grainy black and white photos look like throwbacks to the 60's. Each one leads off with a distracting photo credit . Among the well chosen chapter topics is a multitude of vague and cryptic subheading titles (like "Change is Coming" ... nearly one-third into the book). The book could have benefitted from a good editor, but with such a time-sensitive topic, I guess it is better that it was rushed to print so that we can all enjoy its timely content.

I've been listening to Robert discuss next-gen computing for over a decade, so you know when he is ready to predict the next big thing that you need to listen. Irena Cronin brings her research analyst experience to bear also, with very detailed forays into seven different industries that will be heavily disrupted or augmented by spatial computing. The book is rich with context, examples, insights and secret revelations you'll hear for the very first time. It is a phenomenally crafted and well written piece for those of us following the space. Check it out

In Infinite Retina, Cronin and Scoble present a very well informed analysis of the shift that is occurring in computing. I especially appreciate them expanding on the meaning of Spatial Computing beyond just a marketing term to one that is broader and impactful. Their insight is spot on and as a thought leader in the XR space and a futurist, I found myself engulfed in many chapters. I would highly recommend this book to any professional in business and technology that wants to better understand what the future holds and why we are all heading that direction.

The likelihood is that if you are here, then you already know what you are looking for and why. The Infinite Retina is a tour of the fundamentals of tech that will pave the way for future immersive experience design.The hardback binding is not great - quite inflexible and the cover printing is poor. Not bad for £5 (the paperback was £20 at time of purchase) - noting that this was printed by Amazon themselves.