The Future of 3D Technology: How Google is Taking It to the Next Level With Commercialized Starline

Recently, Samsung and Google collaborated to showcase a joint venture in 3D technology; a sound system named Eclipsa Audio. This tech can transform flat-screen audio into spherical soundscapes by using advanced AI algorithms and beamforming. Consumers can expect this to be included in their TVs which would give them the effect of 3D audio coming from their content.

This is just one of the many examples of 3D technology that have come into the fold as companies race to compete in this area. The technology itself is not something new and has many current applications across various sectors. Some include gaming where VR/AR devices (read about virtual and augmented realities here) benefit from it. It’s also found in projects like the metaverse, and real estate.

3D here means that the computer-generated graphic gives off the perception of depth, just like a real-world object would, and when viewed, we get a three-dimensional image. But all is set to change in this realm as Google has unveiled its latest project: Starline.

The Frontier of 3D Technology is Striving in Modern Gaming

Modern gaming has transformed completely from its past counterparts and we can see this effect when we look at virtual reality and augmented reality applications. These allow better and more immersive gaming experiences which we can understand by taking the example of online casinos.

While digital casinos offer a different experience compared to physical ones, VR/AR technology bridges the gap by enhancing immersion and interactivity. Through virtual reality, you get the possibility to render a 3D casino environment, allowing you to walk about the casino and interact with games and players.

Choosing to play casino gambling games in such a rendered environment would provide a superior gaming experience where different games like roulette and slots can be enjoyed in a 3D environment. As you play a card game on a 3D table, you’ll get a 360 view of the floor, with the dealer and opponents visible.

Augmented reality turns 2D to 3D by projecting information on a surface and this can be both images or videos.  Continuing our example of online casinos, players could project virtual slot machines into their living rooms or place card games on their coffee tables, with the option of customizing setups as they see fit.

These 3D technologies stand to improve social interaction and the overall player experience in online casinos and gambling games and we can see how this ties into the bigger picture with Google Starline.

Google’s Project Starline: All About 3D Communication

This project is Google’s attempt at an experimental video communication method that creates a 3D model of the person you’re communicating with, without the need for VR headsets. It was announced back in 2021, but recent news from 2024 states that Google is going to partner with HP and implement this tech in videoconferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet.

One technological innovation here is that this is all done in real-time, where 3D imaging is created by computer vision, complete with spatial audio for immersive sound effects. It’s all set to impact remote work by changing how engagement is done on video calls as it feels more like an in-person interaction. Companies would find this helpful when they conduct meetings with overseas employees or clients.

How well this project is received by the masses depends on the pricing and affordability factor for which there is no information yet.

3D’s Expanding Role in Retail, Healthcare, and Education

3D tech has moved beyond gaming now, and we can see it in other sectors as well. In retail, it’s used to allow customers to try on clothes before purchases. This improves consumer experience and reduces returns.

The field of medicine uses it to print prosthetics and implants for patients and this as a whole is expected to be valued at 3.7 billion USD in 2026. Additionally, 3D models of the body can be used by students to practice before surgery.

Education sees 3D visualization to offer interaction and immersive study sessions and 3D models are used to teach anatomy in med schools.

The Road Ahead: Will 3D Technology Become a Mainstream Standard?

There are several barriers on this road to wide adoption of 3D technology. The most obvious one is cost, but there are others like accessibility, infrastructure, and material needs. High initial costs for equipment or getting the materials can deter some companies from development.

There’s also a shortage of skilled labor in this field, where personnel are needed to operate equipment and do research on areas of exploration. However, despite this, we can expect it to appear in certain industries as mentioned above.

The final verdict is that we can clearly see the extent and reach of 3D technology and how far it has expanded to now. With big tech giants like Google and Samsung at the forefront of this technology, we can expect leaps in innovation.