The Future of Internet Browsing is 3D

The Future Of Internet Browsing Is 3D

By Rene LeMerle
Expert Author
Article Date: 2008-09-30

Internet browsing has been dominating the headlines recently with Google releasing Chrome, Microsoft and Firefox updating their respective browsers and now - a new tool that allows you to view the web in 3D.

ExitReality "is a free internet plug-in that allows anyone to view every web page in 3D". The aim to make the internet browsing experience more engaging for the user.

For those of you familiar with virtual worlds such as SecondLife, the ExitReality world will look familiar. Users are able to navigate around web pages, which are rendered as rooms, cafes or virtual areas from the view point of your avatar.

It also offers the features that are now the norm with social media such as in-world chat, friends, virtual spaces etc. According to the ExitReality website:

What is ExitReality for?
• View any webpage in 3D... every website is now a virtual world
• Turn your standard 2D web page into your own unique 3D space
• Meet and chat with people in 3D
• Search and explore thousands of online 3D communities and meet new people!

What Can I Do?
• Convert, decorate and share your Social Network Page in 3D
• Collect cool objects to add to your 3D space or apartment
• Create a 3D Avatar, chat with friends and meet new people
• Invite people to your virtual space
• Host real time parties and events at your online space

I've provided a quick video of the ineedhits Easy Search Advertising web page as seen from the viewpoint of my ExitReality avatar. Bare in mind, I haven't customized the ExitReality version of our website yet, so you're seeing our site in the default view.

ExitReality allows you to set the scene for your website online (e.g. caf, gallery, city scape, apartment etc), so you can let your imagination run free when it comes to your virtual 3D site presentation.

Novelty aside, will ExitReality really change the way we view web pages in the future? At this stage, I don't think the general internet population are ready to adopt 3D browsing as their default experience.

Viewing content is quite difficult and navigation is far from efficient. In a world where patience online is measured in milliseconds, making an experience more time consuming for little gain is going to struggle to gain interest beyond initial curiosity.

ExitReality is worth a play, but at this stage, I wouldn't suggest that mainstream business needs to factor it into their online marketing plan. If nothing more, it will probably encourage further exploration of 3D possibilities.

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About the Author:
Rene is the marketing manager of ineedhits.com - a global search engine marketing company. He also leads the marketing for Gooruze.com - a web 2.0 style community for online and digital marketers. Rene has been in the industry since 1997 with much of that time spent helping businesses embrace the best of the internet and digital world.