Even if you’ve never used augmented reality, you’ve definitely heard of it by now. It’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue, and even Apple is rumored to be working on multiple headsets that use AR technology to add a layer of digital functionality to the real world. But what is it, and why is it so important to the future of tech?
What is it?
Augmented reality is a technology that allows you to mix the physical and digital worlds, superimposing computer-generated images on top of your view of reality. In other words, it merges what you see in the real world with virtual objects. This can be done in two ways: through augmented virtuality, which layers computer-generated images on top of your view of reality, or mixed reality, which partially replaces your view of reality with a computer-generated one, including your real-world surroundings so you can see everything around you.
Why is it so important?
There are a few reasons why augmented reality is such an important technology. First, it has the potential to change the way we interact with the world around us. For example, you could use augmented reality to see directions overlaid on top of the sidewalk as you’re walking, or get information about products without having to open up a separate app.
Second, augmented reality can be used for entertainment purposes. Games like Pokemon Go and Pikmin Bloom have shown that people are willing to spend a lot of time in augmented reality if it’s done well.
Augmented reality also has a lot of potential in the business world. Retailers could use augmented reality to let customers try on clothes without having to physically try them on, or businesses could use it to train employees more efficiently.
How is it different from virtual reality?
The main difference between augmented reality and virtual reality is that augmented reality doesn’t fully replace your view of the real world with a computer-generated one. Instead, it adds digital elements to your field of vision. This makes augmented reality less immersive than virtual reality, but it can also be less expensive and easier to produce.
What are some popular augmented reality apps?
The most popular augmented reality app is probably Pokemon Go, which was released in 2016 and took the world by storm. In the game, players use their phone’s GPS and camera to catch virtual creatures that appear in the real world. Other popular augmented reality apps include Snapchat, which lets you add augmented reality filters to your photos, and Ikea Place, which lets you see how furniture from the Ikea catalog would look in your home.
What does the future hold?
The future of augmented reality is very exciting. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible with this technology, and there are a lot of ways it can be used to improve our lives. Augmented reality could be used to help us learn new skills, or to make shopping more efficient. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for augmented reality!