How to Be Productive Everywhere with XR+AI
Interview with John Dagdelen
In this episode, John Dagdelen, the founder of Fluid, reveals how XR technology and AI can reshape productivity. In this interview, John shares the inspirations, challenges, and AI features that define Fluid’s unique approach to digital workspaces and how you might want to reconsider your dual-screen monitor setup. For the product spotlight section I want to share a FREE book-reading app that lets you import and read your own comics, novels or magazines in MR or VR.
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Interview with John Dagdalen
Why did you come to start working on Fluid?
John Dagdelen: I started Fluid while I was writing my PhD thesis. I had stacks of research papers, notes, and ideas that I wanted to have accessible all around me so I could pull information in from anywhere. But working in the physical world, I couldn’t organize it like that. That’s when I thought, “What if there was an XR app that could let me spread my work across multiple virtual monitors wherever I wanted?” So, I began developing Fluid with that vision of spatial computing for productivity in mind.
What is Fluid's main advantage over traditional multi-monitor setups?
John Dagdelen: The biggest advantage is freedom and flexibility—you’re not locked to one desk. Fluid lets you carry your entire workspace with you wherever you go, like to your couch, a coffee shop, or even while traveling. Having this kind of mobility with a multi-monitor setup is really empowering. You can be in a relaxed environment and still be super productive, which is something traditional setups just can’t offer.
How does Fluid stand out among other XR productivity apps?
John Dagdelen: I see productivity XR apps in two categories: virtual monitor apps that recreate your desktop and more experimental, spatially-native apps. Fluid’s unique in that it bridges these two approaches. We offer familiar functionality, like virtual windows, but in a way that feels natural in 3D space. So, you get a spatially enhanced experience, but it’s still comfortable for people used to traditional computers.
What’s your philosophy on creating productivity tools in XR?
John Dagdelen: Our approach is to create something that feels both familiar and new. We believe that you can’t jump too far from what users know without making it difficult for them. We aim to give users the benefits of XR while keeping the experience intuitive. The idea is to allow people to work more fluidly without making them feel like they’re learning an entirely different toolset.
How do you define “productivity”?
John Dagdelen: To me, productivity means having a seamless connection between your ideas and their execution. Any friction—whether it’s in your workspace setup, your tools, or input methods—is a barrier. Fluid is designed to reduce those barriers. We want to give users a space where they can work as naturally as possible, letting their ideas flow from mind to screen with minimal interruption.
What role does input play in Fluid’s user experience?
John Dagdelen: Input is huge. To make productivity seamless, we’ve made sure that users can interact with Fluid in multiple ways—whether it’s a mouse, keyboard, or hands-free input like speech-to-text. We’ve designed something we call “flow typing,” where you simply look at a text box, click, and speak, and it just fills in. It’s much more direct and intuitive than the standard XR typing experience, which often feels clunky.
How does speech-to-text work in Fluid?
John Dagdelen: We’re really proud of the speech-to-text functionality in Fluid. We’ve made it as direct as possible—you just point at the text box, press a button, speak, and it fills. You know when it’s listening because there’s a small red dot by the cursor. It’s a small detail, but it’s these small touches that make the experience feel natural. When you stop holding the button, it stops recording, so it’s instant feedback for the user.
How are you help users discover new features in Fluid?
John Dagdelen: We’ve tackled this by building a community aspect around Fluid. Every Friday, our team hosts a live demo and discussion in a shared space where users can ask questions and see features in action. We’re also posting tutorials and feature guides on YouTube. It’s about creating a learning environment where users can organically discover what Fluid can do while seeing others use it.
How do you approach mixed reality in Fluid?
John Dagdelen: Mixed reality is a big part of Fluid. We believe that sometimes you need to interact with real objects while in virtual spaces, so we offer portals where you can see your real-world desk or other objects. When collaborating, having shared context is key. For instance, we’re working toward making sure shared content can be displayed in the same place for everyone in the room, creating a shared experience that feels natural.
What’s your vision for how collaboration works in Fluid?
John Dagdelen: We think collaboration in XR should feel as close to real-world interaction as possible. For example, if you’re giving a presentation, we’d want all the participants to be positioned in a way that feels like they’re actually in a room together, facing the same content. We’ve built Fluid’s environments with various configurations, so users can choose between settings suited for presentations, group discussions, or casual hangouts.
Are there any non-traditional input devices you’re interested in exploring?
John Dagdelen: Definitely. One of my friends is working on a ring that acts like a mini mouse and responds to gestures, which could add a whole new layer of interaction. Devices like these, along with things like touch-enabled controllers, open up a lot of options. We’re all about experimenting with input devices that feel natural and enhance productivity rather than complicate it.
How do you see AI supporting productivity in Fluid?
John Dagdalen: AI can enhance productivity by acting like a digital assistant that gets to know your workflow. For instance, you could tell it, “Show me pictures of Finland,” and instead of manually navigating, it just does it for you. We’re exploring ways to make interactions like this feel intuitive in XR, so it’s less about replacing traditional steps and more about streamlining them.
What are some other potential AI applications in Fluid?
John Dagdalen: We’re working on some fun features, like a focus assistant. If you ask it to help you stay on task, it’ll nudge you if it sees you opening YouTube instead of working. It’s meant to feel like a supportive companion rather than an intrusive one. We’re also looking into Skybox generation, where users can create custom environments that match their personal preferences or moods.
What’s next for Fluid’s AI and XR integration?
John Dagdelen: The goal is to build AI that’s fully integrated with the spatial nature of XR, not just a chatbox. Imagine a digital assistant that’s like a “hypercube” in your space that can bring up documents, manage your schedule, and even make suggestions—all while feeling part of the environment. We’re aiming for an assistant that’s less about traditional screens and more about truly interacting with the space around you.
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Product Spotlight: LiVRo
Productivity can take many forms and reading is certainly a great example. I have found a very robust app that allows you to import your own pdf (comics, magazines or novels) and read them either in MR or in a fully immersive virtual environment. Unlike many other apps the whole UI and UX is very polished and intuitive with very neat hand interactions and simple functionalities that make the whole experience very enjoyable. Try it out and let me know what you think
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