Remember Virtual Reality? The failed meme from the mid 90s where you'd pay $5 to wear a giant helmet in an arcade and look like an idiot? Sony do. Or at least they seem to be channeling it with their new 3D personal TV, the creatively titled HMZ-T1.
Unlike those cheap 3D glasses they force you to wear in cinemas, this thing runs on a combination of nuclear energy, pixie dust and Magik! Also, technology. It's a stand alone TV unit that plugs right into your eye sockets [figuratively speaking]. According to Sony it's like 'a 700-inch movie theatre, as seen at a viewing distance of 20 metres'. Which is nice. And perfect for that 3D remake of Weekend at Bernies. Or 'adult movies'.
For real though, the unit is designed to be used with 3D games. Titles like WipeOut and Gran Turismo take on a life of their own and really make you feel “like you're there, man.” The unit's 5.1ch virtual surround technology also helps in that regard.
3D TV (and glasses) haven't exactly taken off in big way, but if there's one thing that's going to get people siting around looking like Star Trek extras it's the prospect of some HD 3D Call of Duty and suchlike. Certainly an improvement on Dactyl Nightmare. Only problem is the price – you're looking at around $800 a pop at launch.