EVERYTHING/ABOUT: Virtual and Augmented Reality

Augmented, Virtual, Immersive and Mixed Reality are all leading to a world in which the physical and the digital sphere increasingly merge together. Humanity is finding itself at the dawn of a new reality.

Current Developments

• 2016 is considered the year when Virtual Reality becomes mainstream as several companies are launching their powerful VR headsets, games and cameras
• More powerful smartphones (in terms of computation, integrated sensors, etc.) and the incredibly broad dissemination of these devices are the key factors why AR-games like Pokemon Go are so massively successful now
• While Virtual Reality will lead revenues over the next 2 years, the future will definitely be Augmented or Mixed Reality
• 360-videos on Facebook or YouTube are increasingly used by brands, news agencies or individuals to provide exciting, immersive viewing experiences
• VR/AR will become a new major media platform. It has massive potential to impact how people work, learn, play, exercise, communicate, transact, socialize, and consume content
• Increasingly, we will see a shift from 2D content (e.g. a website) to 3D content

Read this to shift your mind

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Virtual Reality by The Verge

Several in-depth articles exploring everything you need to know about Virtual Reality.

Augmented Reality is the Ultimate Platform by Amit Mahajan

Good article on the driving factors and technology behind AR as well as a brief outlook into future possible applications.

The Untold Story about Magic Leap, the World’s Most Secretive Startup by Kevin Kelly

Wired magazine explores massively funded AR startup Magic Leap’s endeavor to create a new kind of reality.

Virtual Reality Will be the Most Social Computing Platform Yet by Kyle Russell

A look at the potential of VR regarding social networks with several interesting examples.

Associated Trends and Topics

# Smartphones: the increasing dissemination of smartphones [read more]​

# Wearables: miniature electronic devices that are worn under, with or on top of clothing [read more]

# Augmented Reality: the process of superimposing digitally rendered images onto our real-world surroundings [read more]

# Virtual Reality: a three-dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored and interacted with [read more]

Industry and Funding

A look into the future: Hyper-Reality by Keiitchi Mastuda

Check out these cool #VR and #AR products