What is the Difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality?
In 2019, the tech world significantly expanded its virtual capabilities. Social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram now support augmented reality, and the gaming world has its own mega-hit virtual reality games like The Walking Dead Onslaught.
It can be confusing to know the right terminology to use and what it means. In this blog, we will cover what kind of tech is required for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), why you need them, and which one is which.
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is a complete immersion into an experience that removes the physical world. VR requires headgear that covers the eyes and oftentimes gloves to help you interact with the objects in that virtual world. In short, if it requires goggles, it’s VR. Outside of the gaming world, virtual reality is used for education and training simulations and has been embraced by the military, healthcare, and sports industries.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality adds digital elements to your real-world view through the camera of a tablet or smartphone. Great examples of AR are the Snapchat lenses or the super successful game Pokemon Go which uses geo-locations to get people off the couch and outside to catch Pokemon.
How to Use it for Your Business
Augmented reality has become the latest advantage in advertising for brands who understand the value it lends to their relationship with consumers.
Nowadays, everyone from your child to your grandmother has a smartphone or tablet with a camera. AR apps take 3D renders of products and place them in the user’s environment which creates a customized and unique experience for the user. Wondering if that new sofa would fit in your living room? Test it out through the IKEA AR app.
From educational apps at museums that help you to explore what an archaeologist would see on a dig site, to consumers choosing the right shape of pool for your backyard – the possibilities of AR are limitless.
What brands have you noticed embracing this new technology? Has it impacted your research or purchase decision? Virtual reality and augmented reality are tools for the curious and we can’t wait to discover how we can apply them. Reach out to The Realizers today.
