While the names Augmented and Virtual Reality may sound similar, there are some distinct differences.

Virtual Reality, VR for short, has been around since the late 1800’s with the use of stereoscopic viewers and large 360 degrees panoramic murals. The term became exceedingly popular with the latest technological advancements in VR movies, viewers and goggles. Ranging in price as low as $9 for cardboard viewers and upwards toward $1,000 or more for the robust VR goggles and headgear that provide a full quality immersion. The VR environment can be a 360-degree video that allows the user to look in all directions emerging the user in whole new worlds and experiences that were once only attainable in dreams and imaginations. Like the VR video that included the actor Jack Black starring in the movie Goosebumps, will put the viewer right in the middle of the action.

VR can also be interactive animations, and more popularly used in games. The use of headgear and hand-held devices has proven to not only be entertaining to those experiencing the game, but also those who are watching the individual waving their arms frantically and screaming in a battle against seemingly invisible adversaries.

So how will AR and VR impact your business?

The popularity of this new technology has been highlighted in movies, and we have seen a growth in both AR and VR software and hardware. The chart below shows the forecast that indicates that we are just at the beginning of the digital emersion.

While games are still at the forefront of both AR and VR, there is a growth in various sectors.

From enterprise to real estate and even the military are seeing the advantages and possibilities that can be achieved with virtual and augmented reality.