What’s Next for Augmented Reality?

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Jun 152019
 
Augmented Reality in Sports

As one of the most commonly discussed forms of technology out there, Augmented Reality (AR) has become a technology many people love to use. It has become a major part of the world of virtual technology and is being used for various purposes: mostly entertainment and commercial purposes. However, despite huge potential, it’s fair to say that AR has not had the same kind of breakthrough impact that was suggested by some experts. That, though, could be on the verge of changing in the near future.

With various new AR models arriving, the potential and power of the system is about to take a step in the right direction. Often seen as an impressive gimmick whilst being limited in functional capacity, AR hardware is becoming more and more impressive. At the recent Viva Technology conference in Paris, there was a significant upturn in the amount of AR-themed projects which were on the go. More importantly, crowds seemed to be very much drawn to the AR stands, showing an appetite for it very much exists.

A change in AR interest?

One of the main problems with AR was competing with VR in many ways. While they are very much different projects with differing aims, it was easy to see why some have had a one, not the other, kind of mentality. However, the new ESPN conjunction with Second Spectrum to create real-time AR graphics for the Western Conference Finals was a huge step forward in advertising.

Now, users can look at metrics and features that would never have been possible or available without the improvement and addition of AR. We could be about to see a major breakthrough in the AR industry, then, as it begins to become more common and mainstream in the sporting industry. Given how much sport ties into other tech industries growth with the public, this could be another fine example of this taking place.

AR is about to change significantly, with many major AR-related companies looking to drive forward and make the most of this growth in their market. With AR interest probably as high as it has ever been, it’s easy to see why a lot of people are interested in seeing what this all-important next step is going to be for the industry.

At the moment, most see AR as stuff like video games and real estate house showings. It has far more potential than this, though; the secret is showing the public that full potential. In fact, many believe that this has been the biggest problem with AR; a lack of a solid message. These new tools, though, as well as an increase in the release of AR-compatible devices, could see a comprehensive change in the way that we see this technological advancement used.

For many, it was a bit of a chocolate teapot: not offering much to the wider populace. That now might just be about to change, and for the better.

 Posted by at 6:19 pm

Augmented Reality in the Business World

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Mar 052019
 

Augmented Reality has been talked about for some time now and more and more businesses tend to opt for using it in their offices in order to improve skills, tasks resolution and effectiveness of the overall business. But what is AR and how does it fit in the business world? Read below the answers to those questions.

Augmented Reality

Let`s start with the beginning: what is Augmented Reality or AR? AR represents a technology that makes use of a smart device in order to place together layers of information with the sole purpose of enhancing a physical environment, which is not to be confused with Virtual Reality or VR that is meant to create virtual places meant to replace the reality. In other words, AR is all about boosting our interaction with the environment, which makes it more than useful for business application purposes.

For the business world, AR could signify a manner in which we can establish a link between our co-workers, collaborator or customers, depending on the type of business conducted. Team gatherings that include remote employees, job training, product demonstration or project presentations can all be conducted by using the amazing AR due to the fact that it has a beneficial impact on efficiency. Nowadays, a multitude of businesses have interstate or international collaboration with people all around. AR comes into aid for these type of situations by helping remote employees engage and connect with their team in a more significant manner.

One of the first business giants that used AR is, as you might guess, IKEA which made AR popular in the retail environment. IKEA boosts customer`s buying experience by presenting their products through this type of technology. The sole purpose is to permit the potential customer to experience how a particular item would look in their own home, which definitely can make a big difference in the purchasing process. People are more prone to buy items if they are convinced that the particular object will complement the environment created at home.

Moreover, AR proved to be useful in offering support to inexperienced customers that required support in doing home repairing. Thus, AR has the power to provide guidance and even visual representations of how to fix almost everything. This can seriously modify the manner in which our lives will develop in the future.

Another application of the AR in business is that for property development. Those that want to buy an apartment, for example, in a flat that is not ready yet, can experience through AR how the construction will end up looking after completion. Thus, taking potential buyers to an empty lot and allowing them to wonder around through AR will increase the chance of them purchasing and even allow them to imagine how their new homes will look like.

Experts say that AR will change in the future the way in which we purchase and interact with each other. Amongst the benefits of Augmented Reality, we can mention the fact that people will be able to make more informed decisions, which is a great plus, that will diminish confusion or insecurities. Moreover, purchases of more informed customers are proved to lead to positive reviews and recommendations, which is great for improving brand visibility and other marketing purposes.

 Posted by at 11:14 am

Pokémon GO AR Game Could Start Social & Environmental Revolution

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Aug 042016
 

pokemon-go

Since the release of the augmented reality game Pokemon Go weeks ago, it has received positive feedback for its surprising positive effects on mental and physical health. Apart from getting kids, who are hospitalized, to engage in social and physical activities, the game also motivates people to explore their cities and consequently boost local tourism as tour agencies and independent tour guides take advantage of the chance to conduct Pokemon Go city tours.

Although this is basically an AR game that literally turns people into digital zombies as they walk the streets looking for Pokemon characters, this phenomenon has also encouraged people to socialize more not only in meetings or conventions held in different states but also in parks in New York City and Georgetown, to name a few.

Social Awareness and Environmental Impact

But if one will look beyond just the mental and physical effects of the game, there is a lot of potential seen in Pokemon Go that gives it environmental and social relevance. A perfect example is the idea of an animal shelter in Indiana. The Muncie Animal Shelter came up with the idea of letting Pokemon GO players walk dogs which are also up for adoption while enjoying the location-dependent AR game. Not only was the invitation well-received, with more than 250 volunteers showing up at the shelter but also according to Melissa Blair, the assistant superintendent at the animal shelter, four dogs were adopted after the experience, including a black Labrador which found a new family. Labeled “Pokemon Dogs”, this brilliant idea became international news.

Other Possible Scenarios

Pokemon GO is a potential medium to spread environmental and social awareness to people in a global scale, given its popularity among digital gamers of all ages. There is no doubt that one of the most fascinating features of this game is the augmented reality platform. However, what makes it more unique and attention-grabbing is its location dependence. This very same popular aspect of the game is can motivate gamers to contribute to the upkeep of Mother Earth.

Players of Pokemon GO spend hours and even weeks looking for Pokemon characters and hatching eggs without getting bored. As opposed to other augmented reality games that require players to hover their devices on a piece of paper or a specific product packaging for a visual sequence to be enjoyed, Pokemon Go uses the real surroundings the players are in. This platform allows players to walk for miles around the cities they live in and takes them to places they seldom have the chance to visit at any given day. Having said that, the game can be instrumental to reaching places like illegal trash dumping sites, crime locations and other important places that are overlooked and in need of attention from authorities.

In the future, perhaps, Pokemon GO manufacturers will add features that will enable players to contact government agencies responsible for repairs and maintenance to ensure public safety like covering open manholes or fixing damaged slabs. Or Pokemon GO players will be able to take images of emergency situations and send them to specific government agencies by just pressing a button.

With all these possibilities, the AR game experience will someday be taken to yet another level, one that has significance not only in terms of technological advancement but also in environmental and social awareness.

 

Reference

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2016/07/30/how-pokemon-and-location-based-augmented-reality-could-save-the-planet/#4e031dfe66cc