According to Forbes, good UI raises the site’s conversation rates by 200%, and UX design can increase them up to 400%. In other words, good UI and UX mean better business. However, the user interface and user experience landscapes are frighteningly complex and always expanding.
To stay ahead of the curve, the world’s best and smartest brands and businesses, such as Meta and Apple, continuously look out for newer and better ways to captivate their customers. And when it comes to UI/UX design, they now seem to be on the brink of a new era - spatial computing.
Spatial computing is not a new concept or technology. In fact, it has been with us for a long time. However, it gained new interest from the industry players in recent times. Apple’s Vision Pro has further escalated the debate around its potential to upend the entire UI/UX industry. In this blog, therefore, we’ll go deeper into what spatial computing is all about, how it can revolutionize the way UIs are designed and user experiences are delivered, and the challenges that need to be tackled to harness its full potential.
Spatial computing explained
Spatial computing is an umbrella term and refers to a multitude of tools and technologies, primarily augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed (MR). It uses the space around the users and enables them to be a part of the experience they are having with the device or technology. So, in many ways, this technology can be seen as a much-awaited marriage between the physical and digital worlds.
Technology companies worldwide are increasingly investing in this new era of computing to be ahead of the curve by taking their design experience to the next level. Apple recently launched a new device that makes use of spatial technology and has accelerated the interest levels of companies and customers in this computing technology.
According to projections, the global market for spatial computing is projected to be valued at $620.2 billion by 2032, showing rising demand and adoption of this disruptive technology.
How Spatial computing is likely to transform UX in the near future
User interfaces play a significant role in building enriching user experiences. If the interface has not been designed with end customers in mind, it will likely affect their experience.
UIs have evolved in all these decades. They had started as command-line interfaces where the users had to enter command lines to interact with the computers. Then came the era of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), where even non-technical users were able to communicate with their devices. The icons and the windows made it simple for these users to run their machines. In the 1990s, web-based interfaces brought a new era of user interfaces, followed by touch-based interfaces when smartphones and tablets became popular with the masses.
Now, we stand at the edge of a new era characterized by a rising popularity in the usage of AR and VR that can have a transformative impact on how user interfaces are built, and experiences are crafted.
Spatial computing has already made its mark on our lives. We are using technology every time we use filters or tags on our social profiles or when we interact with our GPS systems, or when we interact with our team in a metaverse or virtual world.
In the context of user interfaces and user experience, spatial computing is likely to remove the need for any physical screen or devices; the technology will enable the users to interact with the technology not as an outsider (as it happens in traditional UI design), but as an insider (by helping the user experience technology in a 3D, immersive environment.)
In the years to come, the use of spatial computing technologies will rise significantly; UI/UX designers will have to adjust to new opportunities as well as challenges to be able to match the ever-rising expectations of content consumers. To produce compelling user interfaces and user experiences, the professionals will have to deepen their understanding of 3-D spaces, gesture-based interactions, contextual awareness, and accessibility and inclusivity.
A growing number of companies and start-ups have started heavily investing in this space. Apple has recently stepped into the spatial computing realm with its much-talked-about device, Apple Vision Pro. Meta, formerly Facebook, and its subsidiary, Oculus, have also been very active in the field of spatial computing.
Spatial computing gives rise to a new set of challenges
Spatial computing has the potential to upend the entire UI landscape. This is primarily why some of the frontrunners across industries, such as Meta and Apple, have already jumped on the bandwagon. However, this insane tool comes with new challenges.
One of the major challenges associated with spatial technology is the development of these intricate and immersive interfaces. It’s a relatively new field, and designers and developers have a really long learning curve to be able to produce world-class work.
Another notable challenge is the concerns surrounding the sensitive and personal data that spatial computing can generate and keeping that data secure. Companies at the forefront of spatial computing need to consider the data risks associated with this technology and build robust solutions to protect their users’ data and information.
There are also health concerns with the usage of spatial computing; those using VR technology for long often report physical discomfort. In the days to come, when spatial UI and devices will become more widespread, these companies might also need to look into the health effects of using this technology. These are some of the challenges that have surfaced in recent times; in the near future, we may see more issues in the development and implementation of spatial devices.
Bottom line
Your applications or websites will likely fail to garner customer interest and business revenue if you do not keep up with the rapid changes that are taking root in the realm of user interface design.
The future certainly belongs to those who stay on top of their game by constantly improving the way their customers interact with their digital products. Spatial computing is the next generation of computing that has already impacted people across the globe. Businesses are no exception to this - by integrating next-generation spatial technologies, brands and businesses across industries can revolutionize the way they build their user interfaces and deliver user experiences to their new and existing customers.
Kellton is one of the frontrunners when it comes to leveraging technology to create infinite possibilities for modern businesses. We’ve been operating in this space for years and help businesses of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re intrigued about what spatial computing can do to help you improve your business or need a professional partner to help you with your next mobile/web development project, we can help. Connect with our experts here.
