Everybody talks about VR in terms of games but I wonder if it might be possible to create a productive desktop using a VR helmet. Surely it would be easy to emulate having N monitors but I bet you could do better.
Audio synthesis itself, with it's raw waveforms and various modulations, filters and distortions could be brought to life in space around the users. Imagine being able to surround yourself with the signal path. To examine the shape of a sound in 3D space and track it's progression from, for example, a raw sine wave into a layered deep bass line.
Considering how much audio professionals already spend for high quality production environments and the IOS's popularization of unique, small team created software synths... I can't wait.
Korg's mock up of their IOS software Gadget as real objects really gets my imagination going. http://macprovid.vo.llnwd.net/o43/hub/media/1087/8774/korgGa...
The only real issue is that until you've got some sort of passthrough, even a good touch-typist will find themselves peeking out under the HMD every so often. It's really best for messing with programs that are more GUI/mouse driven.
I mostly just use it as an easy way to watch 3D movies in the Rift but it's got potential.
And on the topic of games vs. everything else, I really do think that while games will be the initial focus, they won't be the final say. I'm more looking forward to VR "movies" where you feel like you're in the room with the action or VR telepresence where a few webcam-sized depth cameras are set up around the room at each end so a live, 3d reconstruction of an environment can be sent over networks and allow you to visit other locations or have "VR Skype" calls. That stuff will appeal to a much more general audience than the games which are the logical first avenue to explore.
An interesting implementation would be virtually working from a beach or sitting on top of a colorado 14er. Just have a table fan sending randomized breeze your way. :)
There is potential to re-imagine programming, but I have no clue how.
Also, keyboard input is not very compatible with HMD. I guess brain interfaces are the most promising, but why can't we just tap into my pinky's nerve and train my brain to use that as output?
http://qz.com/218129/virtual-reality-headset-oculus-rift-mee...