In these
days computers and their components even those which are used in our mobile
phone or tablets become so powerful that manufacturers are trying to bring the
virtual reality from these devices to our normal lives. Their vision is to
enhance reality with the virtual layer. So if the names VR, AR, MR mean
anything to you, you know about what I will be talking about. If not I will
explain ideas hidden behind these acronyms.
VR is an acronym for virtual reality, with this
description we are talking about devices which are focused on changing our
experience in virtual worlds to be more immersed to
make us feel like we are there. Devices used in VR are headsets. Nowadays
almost any big company has its VR headset. If we are talking about pc devices
like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive which are the leader
on the market. These devices are rather expensive , they cost at least 600 euro for Oculus Rift or 900
euro for HTC Vive. Besides its price you need to have a powerful pc to use them
so if you don't have one, the real cost is really big. These are the most
complex and powerful VR headsets which are capable to play almost all games(all
that are made for VR and some other with mods) on your pc and from what I have
experienced myself playing VR is so completely different from normal sitting in
front of tv or monitor. Beside gaming VR headset are used for 360 viewing of photos or videos and that experience is
great too. But what can you do if you don't have enough money or just don't
want to spend that much. They are VR headsets for phones like Samsung gear VR
or Google daydream which can be used for photo or video viewing or less
demanding games or software. If you have a ps4 you can buy PlayStation VR which
is from gaming VR headsets the cheapest and costs around 399 euro.
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| https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.oculus.com/website/2016/03/riftshipping2.jpg |
AR is for
augmented reality. So as VR was about enhancing our virtual experiences AR is
about mixing virtual experience with real one. Augmented reality was for most
time used in games like Pokemon Go in which we were catching pokemons in our
real world using our phones and their cameras in which we could see pokemons on
our streets etc. One of the biggest projects for AR was google glass. It was
pair of glasses with special display which was splitting created picture
straightforward into users eye so for a user a virtual picture was a layer on
our real world. Glasses can be used for video or normal calling, for taking
pictures and many more because it used many google applications like gmail,
google maps or google plus, but the project was killed by google before it was
available to wider audience.
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| http://antyweb.pl/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/google-glass-augmented-reality.jpg |
MR is for mixed reality and that is most confusing from all those 3, because you can ask how it's different from AR and if we use interpretation from a foundry article to which link you can find in sources, the difference between AR and MR is based on reaction of virtual world with real one and in MR virtual world is reacting with reality, in AR is not. But the real and most important difference is that MR is a marketing slogan for Microsoft. In their last conference which was held on 11th May they focued on mixed reality headsets which are reportedly very similar to VR ones. Microsoft besides MR headsets has its best MR device the HoloLens which are holographic headsets somewhat similar to google glass but more powerful and capable of more things. So as we can see MR is nothing different than a sum of AR and VR and Microsoft is not hiding it: “These[AR and VR] are not separate concepts. These are just labels for different points on the mixed reality continuum ...This is why, to simplify things, we call all of it ‘Windows Mixed Reality.” - this is quotation from Alex Kipman, inventor of HoloLens. If you want to read more about Microsoft MR I recommend reading articles from the Verge from Microsoft Build Conference which are linked in sources.
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Questions:
Have you
ever tried VR headsets. What are your
experiences, do you like it or not?
What do you
think about AR. Do you like the idea of mixing virtual world with reality?
What is
your opinion about Microsoft strategy to create a new category in virtual
reality business?
Sources:
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/12/15625972/microsoft-build-windows-mixed-reality-hololens-vr-confusing
Comments
I think it's cool idea to mix virtual world with reality. It could make more opportunities for programmers and developers.
I'm not so into such technologies so I think mixing virtual world with real one is really neccessary. However, it is just my opinion and even though for me it's not needful I think it will become increasingly popular.
On the other hand, as I sad, Google Glass is not a perfect device. There are some moments when the screen disturbs in real life. What's more, Glass is based on Android that is also good and bad.
It's not the time to talk about pros and cons of Google Glass, but I just want to say that despite some disadvantages I was really impressed. I liked it.
I think such devices are the future which is coming very fast.
I'd like to try HoloLens which you're talking about, because I heard it's really interesting thing.
Pokemon Go is so big phenomenon it's just unthinkable.
Of course the technology or operating system wasn't perfect but for a first iteration it was something and like with almost all really new products, they have their problems, which are eliminated with next iterations.
Thanks for having explained the differences between VR, AR and MV so clearly. I had no idea what's the difference with MV, however I have to say I'm impressed but not sure how it interacts with real word... That's why I would like the most to try exactly that MV technology.
It is really cool that building and developer companies started to use VR to show planned buildings to their potential clients. It can be also a great tool for interior decorators or travel agencies. It allows them to present their services in a much more attractive way. As a customer I would be pleased to see samples similar to final product/service.
Regarding AR, I’ve only tried Google glass once, so I have almost no experience with that. Nonetheless, I was quite impressed by glasses’ capabilities and taking into account that it was only a beta version strengthened this feeling. I’ve also heard that Microsoft HoloLens is a great product already and it is much more powerful.
While AR and VR are different types of systems, MR is not something totally new, so I doubt whether there is a need to introduce new term for that.
as its applications are practically limitless. If working and avialable, Google Glass would probably be used daily by everyone, everywhere: at worki, during trips (to find informations about places we visit), at home (for example: cooking, just look at the recipe the same time as you chop veggies). I have never tried virtual reality, but I hope that I will have chance to do it soon.
About VR headsets, sure they need the computing power to be a little bigger or just cheaper, because we can agree that with new geforce titan xp and overclocked intel i7 processor there will be a plenty of power but with big cost.
As to my personal level of interest? I'll tell you when I actually get to try one of the damn headsets myself:) I'm not buying any of them blind at those prices.
I like the concept of AR. Last semester I had classes in PJATK where we were creating an AR app with our functionality. I really enjoyed fill the reality with some objects which don't belong to it.
I've heard about Holo Lens and think it's a great project with high potential. I would like to try those glasses on, it would be an unbelievable experience.
I don't like the idea of mixing virtual world with reality. It's tiring and, in my opinion, unnecessary. I'm waiting for a breakthrough in this area when we will get really great realistic games where we could walk and be a part of this imaginary world.
With the AR there is a gigantic field of improving our interaction with reality, like the idea with (discontinued) google glass. I've seen many Hololens demos, and it looks really impresive and promising.
2) I like that idea. I really do. Imagine playing RTS games like that :D
3) Microsoft's strategy to create a new category in virtual reality is very good choice. I believe that while vr might be a step forward in technology AR is actually not a step. It's a giant leap.
However I think that soon it will become the market leader in games and entertainment industry.
I think that the VR boom will not end like most of the technological trends (such as 3D printing, which was supposed be everyone necessary home utility) but it will really control the market in couple of years.