Is it the Time to get into AR?

30.04.2021, 23:59

We’re all aware of the VR come-back, with Virtual Reality experiences and games getting richer and more diverse thanks to hot devices like the Oculus Quest 2. But... what about AR?

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We don’t hear so much about Augmented Reality, or Mixed Reality, heralded to bring far greater presence and utility (and less escapism and screen watching) into our present surroundings. In fact, some believe the potential applications are - very - underestimated. Not just for scientific, industrial or medical purposes, but for business and home-working, communication and entertainment. 

 

For one thing, at this time, Covid-19 is still devastating lives and threatening to resurface and interfere with our ability to collaborate and communicate. 'Zoom' or Skype-based calls have been called out as being difficult and far less constructive, although at least they’ve stepped in. What about AR? It's a shame it's just not - yet - ready. 

 

But should that stop brave pioneers out there, testing and advancing the existing hardware? What is the state of this exciting tech? Well... the state is still early, but there could be no better time to start out!

 

The hardware is struggling to live up to this need, and the expectations placed upon it. What is needed are new developers and engineers willing to experiment and improve the existing technology. 

 

There seems to be only one major contender right now: Microsoft with its Hololens 2. However, there are others such as Magic Leap, and more which will come. It's likely that Apple is already working on something. Google Glass may have failed initially, but only for so long. Facebook's Oculus Quest 2 headset does have some Mixed Reality and AR capability, but it’s not up to the same level as the Hololens 2.

 

But is the Hololens 2 any good?

 

Watch the interesting, in-depth video below, which demonstrates something of what it can do, and how it works. Ultimately, the developer is very positive and excited about how AR will evolve. For one thing, the Hololens 2 [wikipedia] is a headset you can wear all day, since it's that comfortable compared to the heavier, more tiring (even nauseating) VR headsets. That's a huge positive if you're a developer.

 

For group working, two people wearing devices can share the same screens and information like never before, making collaboration and the virtual office a potential 'killer app'. Objects can be 3D represented and passed between people. But clearly, there will be so many more advantages.....

 

 

So... is this a device and subject which interests you? Maybe you can see some incredible potential here. Maybe reading this blog post is the next developer or designer who will help to take Hololens 2 and AR to a whole new level....

 

The future is uncertain.... but one thing is certain. We need AR to take us away from the limitations of computer screens, to free information and graphics from those confines, and have a technology to make us more expressive, human and social again. Smartphones and social networks today are very anti-social and limiting to human expression and interaction.

 

Using the real space around us and filling it with graphics and animations is undoubtedly useful and mind-blowing. 

 

- Visit the Microsoft Hololens website and the Mesh section
- Learn about the Hololens 2 device itself
- Check out some of the apps available

 

- Visit the MIcrosoft Mixed Reality / VR section

 

Keep on earning points here at Prizes Drop and you'll be swapping them for free Amazon codes in no time. You can put them towards the next Hololens....

 

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