New technologies add immersiveness to the flat 2D Web

by Sam Driver.

New immersive technologies are emerging on the scene to change our perception of what a Web page or site is. These immersive Web technologies include floating 2D Web overlays, embedded 3D chat, and 3D Web pages (see Figure 1) which work above, within, or below the 2D Web (see Figure 2). While not all the specific products I mention here are going to be widely used in the workplace, experimenting with them is a good idea because immersive technology allows people to communicate easily in context – in this case, while they are visiting a Web site of interest. Technologies like these have the potential to increase peoples’ engagement with their work.

 

  

• Floating 2D Web overlays are independent of underlying Web sites. This technology is all about social networking. Floating 2D Web overlay technologies from vendors like ROCKETON and Weblin allow people to have text chat conversations with others while viewing Web sites. Users communicate with each other via text chat and small, cartoony avatars that, in ROCKETON’s case, can navigate around the Web page. Weblin avatars remain at the bottom of Web pages. Users of this technology can travel around the Web in packs, leading each other through an experience via a “teleport” or “meet me” function or through the use of little “doorways” laid on top of Web sites. In the ThinkBalm Innovation Community we are experimenting with floating 2D Web technology to enhance community members’ sense of presence and our ability to communicate in real time with each other while we are logged into the serious game engine that is at the heart of our community.
• Embedded 3D chat technology makes chat more animated. As with floating 2D Web overlays, embedded 3D chat offers a new way for people to stay connected with others with whom they share some common interest. Chat rooms have been around for ages. Technologies like Google Lively, IMVU, and Vivaty Scenes add a visual experience to traditional chat rooms. Embedded 3D chat allows people to design 3D spaces and add these spaces to Web sites. Much like a home page, Facebook page, or blog site packed with RSS feeds, news links, weather updates and other broadcast information, an embedded 3D chat room is another cool gadget competing for site visitors’ attention. Embedded 3D chat widgets create a venue for people interested in a Web site to find and communicate with each other in the context of that site.
• 3D Web pages turn flat sites into multidimensional spaces. 3D Web page technology like Altadyn 3DXplorer and ExitReality allow you to peel back the 2D layer of a web site (e.g., click a link) or simply type in a URL and go into a 3D environment. Users typically have avatars and navigate the 3D space by moving the avatar around using mouse and keyboard. With 3DXplorer, once you are in the 3D environment, you no longer see the original web site. Rather, you use an avatar to navigate a 3D space that can be populated with content that matches the brand of the 2D web site. In ExitReality’s case, a special browser turns ordinary existing Web pages into 2D displays on billboards or storefronts within 3D space that the user can navigate with an avatar. In the ThinkBalm Innovation Community we have experimented with 3D Web page technology for community brainstorming sessions.

My take: 3D Web pages hold the greatest promise for the enterprise

Of these three types of immersive Web technology, 3D Web pages have the greatest initial promise for the enterprise because they give the enterprise the most control over the user experience. Also, they allow enterprise Immersive Internet advocates and implementers to experiment with 3D immersive technology that doesn’t require users to download and install a huge client. We’ll see floating 2D Web overlay technologies used at work, too, as they become integrated into browsers or viewers over time. Embedded 3D chat rooms will remain a consumer tool for the foreseeable future; enterprises will use the 3D chat capabilities of Immersive Internet platforms.

© 2008 ThinkBalm. All rights reserved.