VR, AR, and the Future of Learning
Augmented reality (AR) is a live view of our environment augmented by digital data and/or objects. It combines digital information and media with our real-world environment. AR is already transforming social media with Snap and Facebook at the forefront of AR modifications of selfies and landscape images. Both Apple and Google have developed innovative AR platforms (ARKit and ARCore) which are precursors the operating systems of future AR Glasses that will most likely be available in 2020.
In 2016, Pokemon Go became the first highly popular game to utilize a rudimentary form of augmented reality. Its ability to shape human behavior even then says much about the power of gaming as it does AR applications.
Practical applications of AR were initially developed for military heads-up displays, long before its appearance in consumer applications. Creating consumer-friendly AR Glasses has remained a challenge due to design factors, lens technology, and battery life. In the meantime, Google Cardboard-like DIY kits are available along with a few inexpensive headsets that rely on our Smartphones. Google’s Project Tango, which offered room-mapping of interior spaces, was originally designed as an AR platform only to be replaced by ARCore once the focus turned to the use of AR on Smartphones.
Augmented Reality is already finding use in the work environment for eLearning training and retail applications in shopping. It has vast potential in K-12 and Higher Education learning environments but is still waiting on the release of user-friendly AR Glasses.
The Weather Channel is at it again. They’ve done another weather in mixed reality episode to convey the power of the winter storm that’s blanketed much of the U.S. this weekend (all except New York City, where …
Read more The weather in Mixed Reality from the Weather Channel
A couple of interesting projects surfaced recently involving VR and cars. One is based on patents from the ride-sharing service Lyft, the other from Audi’s announcement at CES 2019. Both are fascinating for how they could redefine …
Read more VR and cars – are you ready to drive around in Virtual Reality?
While CES 2019 saw the release of innovative AR Glasses with Nreal and Vuzix, augmented reality has had a brutal winter. We’ve just watched three AR companies fail in the past four weeks. Meta Glasses is insolvent after …
In a new a16z podcast, Marc Andreessen argues that VR will be bigger than AR. It’s a view we’ve long held – though we expect AR will grab the lion’s share of the market in the short term. …
Read more Marc Andreessen: VR will be “1,000” times bigger than AR
Vuzix AR Smart Glasses have finally arrived. Will they be the successor to Google Glass? A breakthrough in the AR market? Can they have a real impact on our relationship with technology and our environment? These …
Read more Vuzix AR Smart Glasses arrive – if you have a $1,000
As we reach the end of the year, it’s time to look back on our top ten VR and AR articles for 2018. We’ve wrapped up an incredible year of writing, travel, podcasts, and speaking engagements. …
The new Bose AR Glasses are a fascinating development in the augmented reality space. Bose demoed a prototype earlier this year out on the streets of Austin during SXSW to generally good reviews. There was no guarantee …
Read more New Bose AR Glasses give you audio Augmented Reality
Perhaps it wasn’t much of a surprise to hear that Microsoft landed a $480 million augmented reality military contract. The tech industry has always had its ties to the battlefield. But it’s definitely a boost for the HoloLens …
Read more Microsoft lands augmented reality military contract
Snap is at it again, with new AR Glasses rumored by the end of the year. We’ve already seen two versions of the Snap Spectacles, neither of which have been a factor in the augmented reality …