The Rise of Mobile Augmented Reality: Why VR Cannot Go Mainstream

Augmented reality (AR) has been rapidly gaining traction in recent years, and for a good reason. It has the power to reshape our reality experience, allowing us to create our own rules and boundaries and build a whole new world on top of our existing one. In contrast, virtual reality (VR) has been in the spotlight for decades but still struggles to achieve mass adoption. Why is this, and what makes AR different?

VR's Fundamental Problem

VR cannot go mainstream because it requires a standalone device, such as Oculus Quest or HTC Vive, which not many people are willing to invest in. While these devices are popular among enthusiasts, they are not accessible to the general public, hindering the technology's mass adoption. As a result, VR has yet to live up to its full potential, despite its widespread use in gaming and entertainment.

What is AR?

Unlike VR, AR does not require any extra device to function. It can run from your smartphone, which everyone on this planet owns. This makes it a mobile reality that is easily accessible to everyone. While AR can be used with devices such as glasses or Hololens, these are not mainstream. For now, AR is primarily being used on smartphones.

AR's Potential

AR's potential is enormous. According to market research, VR's revenue in 2020 was $30 billion, while AR's was $90 billion. This highlights the power of mobile augmented reality. One of the best things about AR is that it allows you to create your reality without being constrained by traditional rules and boundaries of physics.

Use Cases

AR has numerous use cases, some of which are already mainstream. One example is the popular mobile game Pokemon Go, which allows players to catch Pokemon in real-world settings. Social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok use AR extensively through their filters. AR is also used in education to teach students about topics such as animal dissection in a virtual and augmented way, without the need for a live animal.

In the retail industry, AR is being used to provide customers with a virtual try-on experience for clothes and accessories. This allows customers to see their appearance in different outfits without trying them on physically. These are just a few examples of how AR is used in various industries.

Conclusion

AR is rapidly gaining momentum, and its potential is limitless. Its ability to provide a new layer on top of reality can transform how we experience the world around us. With the rise of mobile augmented reality, we are no longer constrained by the need for standalone devices, making them more accessible to everyone. While VR continues to struggle with mass adoption, AR is quickly becoming a part of our daily lives. It's time to embrace this technology and explore its full potential.

What are some of the use cases that you have seen of AR? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to share this article with your friends. If you want to learn more about AR, subscribe to our channel, where we will be making more in-depth and detailed videos on augmented reality, use cases, tutorials, and how you can get jobs in augmented reality.