Augmented Reality Land - Bringing an Experiences to “Life” by Keith Royer

You can read about sharks, but why not swim with them? Yes, in the ever-changing world of technology, we are moving into a world where augmented and virtual reality, along with 360 video, is going to become part of the norm. There are more and more programs out there that allow us to “experience” people, places, and things.

What are these technologies?

Google Cardboard Viewer

Let’s look at augmented reality. Check out Aurasma for example. It offers a digitally enhanced view of the real world. Turn any object, image, or place into an opportunity for AR. Watch everyday things come to life with graphics, animation, video, audio, and 3D content. Major companies like Universal Studios, Nabisco, Disney, and even the Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, are offering AR experiences. It can turn a simple movie poster into a movie trailer or offer bios on the actors and actresses. Anyone can create a simple AR image using the website and the app. Great potential for schools and businesses.

Next is the world of virtual reality. It is rapidly expanding into everything from business to education to pleasure. Oculus is leading a charge with the Rift, to allow anyone to experience VR with their headset (albeit, not very cheap...yet). Schools are jumping on board the cheap side of VR with Google Cardboard. It offers 360 degree interactive video. Explore anything from the Museum of Natural History to the lands of Star Wars. Awesome...and cheap!

One of the newest member of the team is 360 immersive video. An amazing technology! There are plenty of free videos out there, and YouTube seems to be leading the way (more in this article from RoadToVR.com). Simply open the YouTube video on your phone or tablet, and look around...up, down, left, right, behind...and get immersed in an environment. Now, you can also do the same thing on a computer, but it is not as nearly as awesome of an experience. Go ahead, fly along with the Blue Angels, become part of a scene in a Paranormal Activity movie, and even swim with sharks. YouTube has their own dedicated channel (#360Video) to these videos.

Want to check out the experience? Join Mythbusters under the sea. Open this link on your phone or tablet (add a Google Cardboard viewer to enhance the experience even more): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQd41nbQM-U (like I said, you can use the computer too, but not nearly as fun). 

Already viewing on a phone or tablet? Here is the video: