This is going to sound at tad tech obsessed, but I am writing this on a programme called Immersed in VR on an Oculus Quest 2. If this is the future, it is actually pretty cool. Although when it comes to tech, I am very easily impressed.
I recently popped back to the UK after a couple of years stuck in Thailand. Don’t worry, I won’t complain, it was actually pretty nice. While in Blighty, I decided to buy an a Meta Quest 2, aka an Oculus Quest 2.
The reason – or should that be justification – was that it would help me be more productive. I had read several articles, like this one in Wired, and this one in VR Scout, that people are spending more time in VR than ever before. And I wanted in.
The advantages of working in VR
The most obvious advantage is productivity. As a writer, my main distraction is the pesky real world. In VR, I am writing on a spaceship overlooking a planet. Other options, such as beaches or mountain cabins, are available as well. The point is solitude. With a pair of earphones in, you are really isolated from all input and are floating a lovely personal bubble.
The next plus, is having multiple monitors. I have been using a programme called Immersed, which seems one of the more popular options. When you start on a free trial, (or pay,) you can have up to five monitors. As you can see from my blurred picture above, I just have two. To be honest, five seems unnecessary for writing, but I can imagine it’s pretty hand for other jobs. Stockbrokers or mission control staff or something.
You can make the monitors as large as you want and curve them to your heart’s content. I found it all a bit fiddly at first, but you soon get the hang of it. Mostly. You can also get passthrough and see a keyboard, if that’s needed.
And now, the disadvantages
For the sake of balance, there are some issues. Please note, I have only tried Immersed, so this may not be the case for all programs.
Although you can adjust things a bit, the resolution just wasn’t quite there for me. (It is better than my screenshot implies though.) I tried every setting and the writing was slightly more blurred than I was comfortable with. I usually write on an ultra wide high definition monitor and am now spoilt. I felt like I was squinting slightly, and that isn’t nice.
The multiple monitors is a nice touch, but as most professionals have a large monitor, it doesn’t feel like a ‘must have’. If you have the money to spend on an external device for writing, a monitor is simply better. For now, at least.
The immersive aspect is great. You really can focus, but for me at least, the main distraction is the VR headset sitting on your face. The Oculus is really comfortable, but after an hour or so, it is noticeable.
Other minus points for VR are that if you can’t touch type, you are a bit screwed. There is passthrough though, so you can see your hands in a grey spectral light. You can also double-tap the headset to see your surroundings and grab your coffee, etc. But it doesn’t feel ideal.
Final thoughts
Working in VR is very cool. Personally, I don’t think it is quite there yet, although we are very close. I am thinking only one or two upgrades away from viability.
The main issue for me is the resolution and weight of the headset. Both are very close to excellent, but for now, I will stick with a wide monitor.
You can get an Oculus Quest 2 or Meta Quest 2 by clicking on this. (And yes that’s an affiliate link that costs you nothing, but buys me a coffee. Thank you.)
