Marc Andreessen Predicts Audio Boom and VR Dominance Over AR
In a recent a16z podcast, Marc Andreessen explains why audio technology and body sensors are poised to become massive markets. He also makes the bold claim that virtual reality will eventually dwarf augmented reality by a factor of one thousand.
In a recent a16z podcast, Marc Andreessen highlights audio as a titanically important technology that is rapidly on the rise. He points to Apple's AirPods as a massive success story, noting that the discreet earbuds allow people to consume hours of audio content while working. Speech as a user interface continues to grow, making this constant voice-in-the-ear experience a major shift in how people interact with media and technology.
Andreessen also identifies body sensors as the next significant frontier in the wearable tech space. He praises the Apple Watch for its heartbeat sensor and predicts that people will soon wear a full complement of medical-grade sensors. These devices will eventually predict severe medical events like heart attacks and strokes before they happen, dramatically improving survival rates and overall quality of life.
Despite his firm's investment in AR companies like Magic Leap, Andreessen makes a surprising prediction about the future of immersive hardware. He states that virtual reality will ultimately be one thousand times bigger than augmented reality. This bold claim sets an ambitious expectation for the VR industry as it continues to develop and compete with AR platforms.