Because full-blown virtual reality just isn’t ready for prime time yet. So what’s augmented reality? It’s when a computer, or more likely, a video game system throws down a virtual layer over reality, like taking a photo with your smartphone and seeing ghosts peek up from behind the couch. Augmented reality can also be used to bring the internet into the real world, with virtual billboards, maps, and running commentary on the places you go and the people you meet. Here’s a little article about augmented reality and what it’s doing in the video game space. zConnection has the story.
Augmented reality has a lot of potential, because it can take anything inside the computer and bring it out to the real world. With a good enough interface, you could see, hear, touch, and be touched by a seductive siren from the virtual realm. Were you listening to me, or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?