Augmented reality versus virtual reality

Summary

• The chaotic beginnings of virtual reality
• Augmented reality is on the rise
• What is augmented reality?
• What is virtual reality?
• Differences and commonalities
• Which technology will win?

Technology is advancing rapidly: many things that were, despite our best efforts, infeasible ten years ago, are now possible. Augmented reality and virtual reality are no strangers to these new possibilities. But what is it exactly?

The chaotic beginnings of virtual reality

In the 90s, virtual reality was on everyone's lips. Many companies were trying to develop it, without success. The most remarkable device that appeared at the time was the Nintendo Virtual Boy, a dismal failure which was withdrawn from sale a year after its release. Since then, Nintendo has not sought to improve this technology, which could cause it to fall behind the competition now that virtual reality is creeping into our lives again.

Augmented reality is on the rise

Augmented reality, for his part, takes today more space in our lives than virtual reality. There are many augmented reality applications as well as video games and computer equipment such as Google Glass. It is clear that at present, augmented reality has the ascendancy over virtual reality and that might not change in the near future.

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality is the fusion between virtual reality and real life. Developers can create images in apps, and those images blend with real-world elements. Using augmented reality, users can interact with virtual content in the real world and are able to differentiate the two.

What is virtual reality?

Which technology will win?

At this stage, augmented reality is ahead on virtual reality: several augmented reality products are already on the market. On the side of Google, the augmented reality computer peripherals, like Google Glass, are multiplying. Otherwise, Microsoft, which just invested $ 150 million in patents related to wearable augmented reality hardware, intends to launch something similar.

When it comes to virtual reality, the technology is just starting to step up. It's still a mile away from being a great tool for social gatherings in a virtual world, but with the development of Oculus Rift, it is taking the path.

Both augmented reality and virtual reality will be successful. Moreover, MarketsandMarkets believes that these two markets will represent nearly one billion euros by 2018. But it is arguably augmented reality that will experience the greatest commercial success because it does not completely disconnect people from the real world.