Multimedia on the Internet

The Internet is a curious place. There are many things to do, see, look, listen. Soon, we might even be able to touch and smell the things on the Internet.
The beauty of it all is that what was once in the past would now soon be possible in the future.
Feel like being in the middle of the battlefield? Done. Wanna be a couch surfer? Done.
There is only so much traditional video, text and pictures can do. And then there is Virtual Reality.

Despite the failure of early Head Mounted Displayes in the late 1990s, technology has advanced to the point where virtual reality is quite possible soon. Lets look at how VR can help in your job.

Virtual reality seems to be the future for not only gaming but also the Internet. The purchase of VR headset maker Oculus Rift by Facebook seems to be proof that the tech giants believe that will be the future. Not to mention extra sensory devices like the Kinect.

But wheres the fun if you can only see it. What happens if you want to feel as if you're walking in the game zone? Being able to duck, to run to hide and not run into your wall? Then check this Kickstarter project out.

Its called the Omni and it promises just that.

According to the information the makers of the Omni posted in Kickstarter, "We are in the midst of a revolution in virtual reality. The release of affordable head mounted displays and low-cost sensor technologies has brought the decades-old dream of true virtual reality closer than ever, but there’s still one more piece to the puzzle: the Omni.The Omni takes virtual reality to the next level— allowing anyone to stand up and traverse virtual worlds with the natural use of their own feet. The Omni is the first virtual reality interface for moving freely and naturally in your favorite game. Moving naturally in virtual reality creates an unprecedented sense of immersion that cannot be experienced sitting down. That's why we developed the Omni. "

The only downside I see to this is when I eventually get tired of standing and want to sit down as I play my games.

Or or or how about this haptic feedback vest. Another project on Kickstarter, this vest allows you to feel whatever your character is feeling. 

Shot to the chest? BAM. Shot in the back? BAM. Shot in the most unfortunate of areas? BAM BAM BAM.
The KOR-FX Gaming Vest: 4DFX Haptic Feedback System is a great compliment to the Omni and the Oculus Rift. Now most of your senses will be engaged.

From the Kickstarter page: 

Virtual Reality 

KOR-FX alone provides a unique and rewarding experience. However, when combined with head-mounted VR displays, motion-tracking systems or any of the other new, exciting VR technologies currently available or in development, the KOR-FX vest provides the tactile component of a completely immersive experience that was not possible until now. 

And because it plugs in to your standard audio port, you don't need fancy gadgets or technical skills to use it. 

BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

See, as we start slowly moving from WEB 2.0 to WEB 3.0, its about time that we started thinking about the different ways we experience the Internet and the media on it. Static pictures and normal videos are starting to get boring. Imagine the day when we can finally smell the advert we see on the screen or taking part in virtual fights and actually feeling the hits or being able to explore a new country by walking in a virtual map.

The possibilities are endless!