E75: Greg Castle (Anorak VC) on the Biggest AR/VR and Spatial Computing Opportunities

Greg Castle, founder of Anorak Ventures, discusses the evolution and future of spatial computing, particularly in AR, VR, and technology's impact on human interaction and learning. This conversation took place in February 2023.

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LINKS:

Investing in AR/VR with Greg Castle (first episode with Greg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjjWeaKA2Jg 

Anorak Ventures: https://www.anorak.vc/

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:

• Spatial computing represents computing in the third dimension, evolving from manual inputs to capturing and recreating real-world environments.
• AR is technically more challenging than VR because it must understand and integrate with the environment rather than simply replace it.
• Meta (Facebook) is currently the main player investing heavily in VR/AR, while other tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google are taking more measured approaches.
• Training and education are viewed as the most promising VR applications due to improved retention through 3D learning experiences.
• The concept of a single unified metaverse faces significant challenges due to existing business models and the siloed nature of current platforms.
• Digital replicas of physical objects represent one of the few remaining "white spaces" for startup opportunities in the spatial computing market.
• Qualcomm is emerging as a significant player through their development of XR-specific chips and industry consortium building.
• Gaming has replaced music as the primary cultural touchstone for younger generations, indicating a broader shift toward digital experiences.
• The ultimate vision for spatial computing is to transform education and enable more natural human-technology interactions.