Many works of science fiction have portrayed virtual worlds in which people can take on any identity they like. One of the most exciting themes in modern technology is the concept of a digisales cycletal world where you may escape from the actual world. You’ve probably heard a lot recently about new discoveries in the metaverse. The deep-rooted link of metaverse with VR technology, on the other hand, has sparked debate about metaverse vs. virtual reality comparisons.
People who are unfamiliar with the subject may believe that the metaverse is simply a virtual environment that can be accessed using virtual reality headsets. Are metaverse and virtual reality the same thing?
Also, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented reality (AR) hold great promise for the future of gaming, marketing, e-commerce, education, eLearning, industrial companies, and a variety of other industries as well. Both technologies are known for providing an upgraded experience that combines virtual and real-world with enhanced 3-D images. Although the two can be easily confused, there are some fundamental differences between them.
Here are some answers from experts on the subject to help understand more about the difference between virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse.
What is the metaverse?
The Metaverse is one of the most exciting tech innovations of the century. It stands for the bleeding edge between a physical and virtual world – a place bursting with cutting-edge innovation, tech, and massive potential.
The Metaverse is a significant progression from the current internet (Web2) and represents the next version of the internet. It is the internet in a new form with its own digital economies and spaces where users can work, play and interact with each other.
The Metaverse could be considered the 3-D version of a new internet – Web3. A place where the exponential rise of cryptocurrencies and digital assets (NFTs) will enable users to interact in ways not imagined before.
An immersive virtual world in which users can buy and sell virtual assets in the form of NFTs such as land, avatars, and art. Furthermore, thanks to the number of brands entering the Metaverse, users can also buy real-world items – like clothes, concert tickets, property, and even pizza.
Hard to get your head around? Imagine putting on a VR headset to find yourself no longer in your living room but somewhere else – a shopping mall, virtual golf course, movie theatre, an office, a club.
Now, imagine your friends or colleagues are there too – they may have a unique avatar and look different – and you can interact with each other, play games, and collaborate – imagine no more.
The foundations of the Metaverse are being built – with the new advancements and progress coming every day.
Over the coming years, the Metaverse will change our lives in many ways. It will give us a new perspective on how we live our lives and perceive value.
What is the point of The Metaverse?
The purpose or point of a metaverse is to allow users to connect with other users, access information, and use various applications and services much like they currently do now using the internet. The advantage that a well-designed metaverse could provide is a completely immersive experience for all users.
To explain the advantages of an immersive user experience, let’s imagine a use case for a simple application and compare. Let’s pretend you need to learn how to change a tire.
Currently, you might log onto YouTube and look for a movie featuring someone who produced a movie with a car similar to yours and follow along with the video.
In a metaverse, your auto manufacturer might provide a VR simulation to change your tire and many other maintenance tasks needed to keep your car in tip-top shape. Now you can be guided through all the steps and be coached as you perform the steps on a virtual model of your car. Simulations provide users with significant advantages because they allow a safe environment to practice the procedure without the risk of injury or damage to your real car. Learning from mistakes is just one of the many advantages simulation-based training can provide.
Or you might reach out to a friend for help using a program like Zoom. Then they can try to walk you through the procedure.
As. You can imagine, teaching you how to change your tire would be much easier if they came over and showed you how to do it. In a metaverse, your friend could virtually become present in your garage using augmented reality technology with telepresence. This experience will be very similar to having them actually present. They can point to physical objects and show you how to use them. They can do pretty much anything they could do in reality except move physical objects. So, even though they can’t help you carry the spare out of the trunk, at least they could still stand near the rear bumper and point to where to find it.
Stephan Kuslich from Ghost Productions
What is the difference between the Metaverse and the Multiverse?
The idea of the Multiverse has a root in many fields, mainly in cosmology, quantum mechanics, astronomy, literature, physics, and philosophy. A multiverse is a hypothetical collection of multiple, parallel universes whereas Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds.
With Facebook’s rebranding as Meta, Metaverse came into the picture with a focus to become a virtual reality-based successor to the Internet. It allows users to have their virtual lives in Metaverse where they can work, play, connect, and socialize.
The primary difference between these two buzzwords is their existence. Metaverse is being developed by numerous companies and tech giants by using VR and AR technologies. A multiverse is, in reality, a possibility of different virtual worlds. It may or may not exist. It is just an idea that is yet to be fully explored in technical terms.
Interoperability is also an important factor that differentiates Metaverse from the Multiverse. Metaverse portrays one universal world where platforms, economies, avatars, and systems are unified in one platform. It is a connected world in some manner. The Multiverse includes different separate worlds that may or may not be connected. Interoperability will not likely be there in the Multiverse.
Users will have complete ownership and control over their assets, properties, finance, and NFTs in Metaverse. While in Multiverse, these all will be controlled by a single company or virtual world that created it.
At present, we are not sure about the idea of a Multiverse and the adoption of the Metaverse. Metaverse has entered our lives through virtual gaming platforms while Multiverse, is just an idea that theoretically exists.
There is a possibility that the Metaverse become a Multiverse if the level of interoperability will be limited between worlds. It is also possible that being Metaverse a universal platform, Multiverse could exist as a part of it.
There is a lot of uncertainty around these topics. To become more clear about these concepts, we just have to wait till Metaverse becomes a real platform.
Tanveer Shaikh from SPEC INDIA
How does the Metaverse relate to spatial computing?
The Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds that can be accessed via virtual and augmented reality hardware. Spatial computing, on the other hand, is a technology that allows computers to interact with the physical world in a more natural way by using sensors, cameras, and other devices to detect and interpret the user’s environment. While the two technologies are not the same, they are related in that spatial computing can be used to enhance the user’s experience in the Metaverse.
For example, spatial computing can be used to create more realistic and immersive virtual environments and to allow users to interact with virtual objects in a more natural way. As the Metaverse continues to evolve, it is likely that spatial computing will play an increasingly important role in shaping the user experience.
Lumus
What are the top companies involved in the metaverse?
We’ve seen dozens of major companies enter the metaverse in just the last year. From the 250-year-old auction house Sotheby’s, to Forever21, major brands and business models across multiple sectors are exploring web3 and the metaverse.
In the financial sector, JP Morgan made headlines as the first commercial bank to enter the metaverse. In the electronics sector, Samsung made its debut by rolling out quests, events, and live content each month. Similarly, Amazon India premiered the unboxing videos for the OnePlus 10 Pro smartphone in Decentraland.
Furthermore, in the FMCG sector, Rexona launched their Metathon event to promote accessibility for all individuals in the metaverse, and Coca-Cola celebrated friendship day in early 2021 by revealing an oversized Coca-Cola can and hosting a party on the top lid.
In the alcohol sector, Absolut activated an experience in parallel with Coachella 2022, Miller Lite launched their Super Bowl 2022 metaverse campaign, and Heineken launched their metaverse beer in Decentraland.
Sporting events have also been keen to jump into the metaverse. The Australian Open hosted an event that ran parallel to their 14-day tournament in January 2022, and the Melbourne Cup celebrated its 2021 event in a virtual world too.
We at Decentraland have an ethos to help usher in those who want to make and be a part of the metaverse as it’s built. We believe that one way to achieve this is through larger events that bring people together. The two most notable events to date that saw over 200k attendees were Metaverse [Music] Festival and Metaverse Fashion Week. During MVF, Yahoo created a virtual environment and motion capture performance for Nina Nesbitt, and Monkey Shoulder hosted an after-party. During MVFW22 more than 70 brands, artists and designers participated in the world’s biggest metaverse fashion week to date. Some of the participating brands include Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Selfridges, DUNDAS, Estée Lauder, Philipp Plein, DKNY, Elie Saab, Etro, and more.
Adam de Cata from Decentraland
What are the 5 of the most popular metaverse platforms?
The Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds powered by the digital economy, that can be accessed via virtual and augmented reality hardware, Facebook’s rebranding into Meta and their recently announced 10 billion USD bet to create their metaverse has created a lot of buzz around the space, so its worth looking at some of the most popular metaverse platforms around.
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Decentraland
An open-source 3D virtual world platform that was founded in 2015 on the Ethereum blockchain. It is a single-layered metaverse platform divided into equal grids, where each grid represents a digital plot of land. The digital currency powering this platform is MANA, and the community can choose when to create more LAND through Decentraland DAO.
Roblox
Similar to Sandbox, Rodblox is a metaverse platform where users can play games made by other users. With over 20 million games already available on the platform, this is definitely a crowd favorite. They also partnered with a luxury fashion brand, Burberry, who created avatars and accessories.
The Sandbox
A favorite amongst investors and consumers, this platform is powered by SAND, its digital currency, and although it was initially launched in 2012 as a multiplier game, after its acquisition by Animoca Brands in 2018, it entered the realm of the Metaverse. The Sandbox hosted Gucci’s latest VR store, where users can buy, own and showcase their digital purchases. It has evolved into a popular gaming environment, where you create and monetize games.
Spatial
Spatial is an AR/VR platform that revolutionizes the space of co-creation and collaboration, by letting users interact in virtual rooms. Via the use of VR headsets mobile devices and computers, people can now access this virtual space to work together efficiently and creatively.
Meta platforms Although not available for consumers and very much work in progress, Meta spent approximately 10 billion on the Metaverse in 2021. The company aims to create an integrated VR environment where users can do different activities, ranging from gaming to working and socializing.
These are a few of the many examples of platforms in the Metaverse that are part of the race to establish a strong presence in the age of tomorrow. Although still in its very early days, the evolution of the technology is exponential and it’s exciting to watch the space as Metaverse’s potential unfolds.
Los Ribs from Pine
Should brands care about the Metaverse in 2022?
Brands should be aware of the Metaverse because it has become an incredibly popular destination for consumers. The Metaverse is a new channel where brands can meet the audiences critical to their success where they already are – even if they are on the other side of the world. As consumers turn to the Metaverse for gaming, communication, entertainment, education, and more, brands need to prioritize their investment in these digital worlds and determine what their presence will be.
Many companies already are. At first, it was a new marketing channel. Now, there is a race happening for brands to snatch up IP in the Metaverse. But there are also new digital landscapes emerging, as companies create ‘digital twins’ of retail shops, office spaces, and even concert venues.
As a result, eCommerce has increased rapidly as consumers buy digital assets: some brands are selling everything from clothing for their avatars to wear and NFT art to decorate their digital real estate. Nike, for example, announced the launch of its first pair of shoes for the Metaverse, called CryptoKicks. One pair sells for $8,000.
Brands need to not only care about the Metaverse in 2022, they need to be actively exploring how they will invest in the space and cater to growing consumer demand. The companies that win tomorrow will be those that invest in the Metaverse today.
Justin McLaughlin from Talespin
Will the Metaverse include data mining?
Since the beginning of the internet, data mining has been a prevalent feature and an ongoing concern. With the growth of social media companies over the past decade the scrutiny of data mining has only increased. That being said it has been a necessary evil as selling is the only way social media giants or search engines can provide free services. So, as we look to the next evolution of the internet, the Metaverse, can we expect data mining to still be prevalent?
Likely yes but we do have options. Option one, we stop data mining and companies charge for all of their services. For the sake of this article, we’ll ignore this option as unfortunately, it would disadvantage many who can’t afford to pay. Option two, data mining stays similar to how it operates today with full control in the hands of those doing the mining. Option three is a hybrid model, where control is put into the hands of the users, allowing them to choose how their data is used, possibly limiting features if they don’t share data. And option four is a full revolution where data mining is mostly stopped and instead companies make revenue from an interoperable reward, currency, and community system.
Starting with option two, data mining staying the same is possible if internet 2.0 companies like Facebook (Meta), Google, and Amazon stay in power as we move to the Metaverse. This is very likely as they have billions of dollars to compete with. The issue here is that Metaverse data can be very harmful in the wrong hands. That’s because Metaverse data includes biometric data like heart rate, eye-tracking, movement patterns, and more. An example of how this data could be used maliciously would be an insurance company mining the data to predict potential future health problems and raising your rates because of it. So if we want to avoid, these issues we have two options left.
Analyzing a hybrid option where users have full control of their data sounds great at first but when you realize companies will likely be quick to limit features and access while increasing ads, it becomes less appealing.
So looking at option four, what do we mean by an interoperable reward, currency, and community system? There are a lot of ideas going around at the moment but to put it simply companies would stop spending money on ads and instead spend their budget on rewarding and growing their organic community. This could be in the form of money, cryptocurrencies, status, or something else. This would need to be interoperable across all Metaverse “sites” or “worlds” as brands would reward their community and then the community would be able to use the rewards in the Metaverse, in turn giving those operating the Metaverse a way to extract revenue.
Evan Sitler from XpertVR
How do you create a virtual reality experience?
The use of computer technology to develop simulated surroundings is known as a Virtual Reality Experience where users are immersed in a three-dimensional reality. They can interact with that 3D reality rather than viewing a screen in front of them.
Unity3D is one of my best choices to prototype VR experiences for the Oculus! Below, I have explained some core fundamental steps to creating an Immersive VR Experience.
Creating VR Experience typically involves the following steps:
Step 1: Creating an outline
The first step to creating a VR Experience is to create an Outline with clear learning objectives so that the learners will experience and understand how visual elements will create a simulated environment.
Step 2: Creating assets that meet your goals
The next step is creating assets like 3D modeling, 2D graphical design, visual components, and digital audio relevant to the learning goals.
Step 3: Writing custom scripts
Now, write custom scripts and make the VR experience playable through VR tools. This stage is all about creating VR content for the interaction with the project.
Step 4: Making the project playable on the intended platform
It’s time to make the VR project playable for devices like VR Headset, Computer, Web, and others. In Unity 3D, the asset store allows us to build something awesome.
Making VR experiences require good computer programming skills, modern VR experience designing as well as concentrating on the following areas:
Story development
Core feature and UX planning
Platform and hardware selection
3D Development (Unity / WebGL)
Mapping and aesthetics
Constructing the VR world
Landmarks
Interactivity between Real and Virtual world A solid grasp of the project vision and learners’ goals is essential for creating a successful VR experience. You will need a highly skilled team to identify the user experience, aesthetic direction, technology, platforms, and talent required to bring the unreal world into life.
Ershadul Hoque from Rise Up Labs
Just how big is virtual reality going to be?
Technology is a huge part of our lives today. Metaverse; a by-product of the constant evolution of technology is just the start of a journey, virtual reality could take us on. Virtual reality is not just on everyone’s mind today but is seeping into the reality of the world, one domain at a time. If the scope of virtual reality is to be considered, it is still evolving and the potential it can reach cannot be exactly deciphered at this stage, but one can get an intimation based on the impact it has on significant areas of our life.
Here are a few scenarios to retrospect:
VR is significantly changing the way we socialize by merging physical routes into a single world with the need to cross routes a mere imagination. Chatting, playing games, or even hosting parties for friends and loved ones face to face is not only possible at the snap of a finger irrespective of geography but is also enjoyable when the virtual world has a new ambiance to offer with each different experience. VR is making the education domain more immersive and efficient by providing a possibility to the learners to understand concepts in real-time and is also ensuring financial inclusivity when it comes to the financial sector. Virtual reality is the base of Metaverse; being contemplated as the new business hub today and one can see the speed at which it is being adopted. From Tanishq; an Indian jewelry brand launching its wedding jewelry collection that sparks a romance with the Indian heritage in the Metaverse for the customers to experience exquisite craftsmanship in a virtual environment through their own virtual avatars deployed on the platform to MakeMyTrip launching NFTs to honor a few favorite tourist places to encourage sustainable tourism speaks volumes on the importance of virtual spaces that can be created today. Virtual avatars create human existence in the virtual world for people to experience everything technology has to offer and depict how far virtual reality has reached today. With constant research and analysis of the scope, experimentation with various strategies, and fulfillment of the changing needs of the consumer, innovators will bring an effective shift to the world. With the nature of the technology being adaptive just like the human race, the future world would witness virtual reality in a bigger, stronger, and more efficient scope than it is in today.
Jui from DaveAI
What are 3 uses for virtual reality?
There are an infinite number of uses for virtual reality (VR), many of which are unexplored. But as the concept of the metaverse takes off, so will the idea that everything we do in real can be done in virtual worlds, from socializing and entertainment to work and shopping. At LiveSwitch, we have clients who build VR solutions in these spaces.
Here are three uses of virtual reality that exist today and whose popularity and sophistication will only grow over time.One great use of virtual reality is remote work. With the switch to remote working, especially in the tech industry, combined with the latest VR technology, we have an opportunity to create collaboration spaces that are actually engaging. The idea is to use VR to effectively bridge the real world with the virtual. Participating in remote work in virtual reality doesn’t exclusively require VR headsets either. Keyboards are useful so you can stand up, walk to a virtual whiteboard, etc. This is real today. Adding virtual assets like computer-aided design (CAD) drawings, 3-D building models, or even full stadium models, makes the future of using VR for remote work likely to be even more engaging.Another use of virtual reality is for fan engagement. Leveraging virtual reality to create more interactive experiences for sports fans or concertgoers is a fantastic opportunity if done right. Meta attempted this with its VR Foo Fighters Superbowl after show. Despite the actual execution being a failure, the concept was excellent. They did not plan properly for scale or ease of use, but the idea of an immersive virtual concert that I can attend from my home is something for which people are willing to pay.Gaming is another use for virtual reality. Gaming co-presence in particular is an area where our customers are showing some innovation. Since VR is inherently isolating, adding a shared experience with someone else, so you can enjoy even single-player games together turns VR into a social opportunity. Some of these “games” are workouts apps too – do it from your home, but enjoy a little social time that you would typically get at the gym.
Jerod Venema from LiveSwitch
What is the best VR for your business or project?
At Look On Media, with our expertise in VR education/training and VR marketing, the best projects for your business are ones that answer these questions:
· What are costly pain points for your company/clients that require extensive in-person training at specific facilities or locations? For example, if you need to take your subject matter experts out of the field to train new hires on specific equipment, procedures, or remote location training, VR can digitally recreate those training 1:1 without the need to pull precious time away from your SMEs as well as create engaging, standardized, and interactive modules that incorporate veteran SME knowledge while actively measuring trainee performance so you can analyze improvement and calculate ROI. In essence, you want to know your VR training is working and worth your investment.
· How can your audience engage with your product or service using VR that will leave a lasting impression on them, excite, and educate them, and lead to the desired action – such as purchase, word of mouth, or retention? For example, if you have an exciting new product that requires physical interaction (like a new golf club) that typically would take place at a trade show or activation event, you can create that same experience in-person feeling in VR while simultaneously gratifying it – which increases fun and engagement – and also allows you to ship inexpensive headsets to prospective customers, stores, and potentially in a VR app store so anyone around the world can experience it.
Sitting down with your team and answering these two questions as they apply to your business will lead to the best use of VR that will see great returns. There are many different exciting applications of VR in almost every industry, but when it can solve these specific questions you will create valuable digital assets that can be consistently iterated upon to leverage your investment in the technology and keep your company top of mind and future-proofed as we move deeper into immersive technologies – unlocking the potential that is only becoming possible now.
Jonathan Powell from Look On Media
How do I find the right company to produce VR content?
Before answering the question, let’s clarify what it takes to build a VR app and what types of VR content you will need to create. Imagine that you need to develop a VR interior design app. You want to create an immersive experience where your customers could use a VR helmet like Oculus Quest or a smartphone to visualize their future homes in great detail. You want to let them create their perfect interior designs and interact with them, like changing wall colors and moving furniture around.
So, you’ll need two different types of content: 3d objects and the application itself. 3d objects, in our case, are the furniture and the floor plan. These objects can be created using special 3d-scanners. You can also use the help of a 3d-artist to design them from scratch. The 3d artist can add animations to create a realistic and genuine experience, like curtains moving in the wind. So, when looking for a software development company to help you bring your idea to life, you need to make sure the vendor provides full-cycle VR app development from idea validation, 3d design and development to user acceptance testing and support.
An experienced VR software developer will start with a technical feasibility study – an in-depth analysis allowing you to define the tools and technologies with the most potential within your business environment. Maybe, in our case, it would be better to use AR (Augmented Reality), allowing your customers put 3d objects on top of real-life interiors, similar to what IKEA did with their app.
Also, check your vendor’s VR project portfolio focusing on proven experience within your industry and ask for client testimonials and illustrative case studies. Look for media coverage about your future technology partner, awards from credible third parties, and customer ratings on business review sites. Finding the right VR technology partner can be tricky, but doing proper research and background check will help you ensure your project is in safe hands.
Taras Chaykivskyy from ELEKS
Is virtual reality worth the investment?
The trend for more accessible tools continues to grow, as does the amount of 3D datasets that are being created. Companies are building 3D replicas of their products using photogrammetry capture technology to provide new metaverse (VR) experiences. Pushing this 3D trend further is necessary for the growth of virtual reality. As we spend more time in the digital world, our digital “goods” will rival the importance of our physical “goods.” Amazon is the destination for physical goods, but the destination for digital goods represents a substantial opportunity for investment. At OVA, we believe it’s crucial to democratize 3D content creation because just like Minecraft enabled 70 million people became 3D content creators. We think that there will be hundreds of millions of computer content creators and VR makes this incredibly accessible to people.
Harold Dumur from OVA
In which industries is VR mostly applied?
I’ve got a chance to work with many different organizations that want to build custom VR applications. In my experience, the one industry that can benefit the most from VR technology is the retail sector. It can drastically change the way people shop both online and offline.
Creating an immersive virtual shopping experience can benefit both retailers and consumers. With advanced technologies, we can literally try before buying anything. For example, you can try out clothes in the virtual world to see what they would look like. Customers will be able to know whether the item fits well or not without even visiting the store. For shop owners, it can reduce the overall operating cost while being a sustainable option reducing the environmental cost and increasing the purchase rate.
With a 360-degree view, customers can tailor their products to their specific needs. VR can bring a unique experience that physical stores can hardly offer. Customers are 3x more likely to make the purchase when they get to personalize their products.
Retail marketing can also benefit from VR. The marketing team can combine VR with the social media strategy where customers are more likely to interact and share the content. You can create 3D immersive experiences that will grab more attention than those traditional banner ads. This will also generate crucial data which can be used to devise new strategies.
Retail businesses often require new hires. Virtual reality can help expedite the training and onboarding process. Companies can simulate real-world experiences to help their new employees get started much faster. Not only this will minimize the risks involved with the training process, but also make the workplaces safer.
Michael Georgiou from Imaginovation
What are the risks of virtual reality?
VR is a budding industry; all possible risks are still to be discovered. However, it’s already possible to locate some. Such risks include:
Insufficient security. Common internet security risks are also applicable to VR software and devices. All known types of threats are active here as well. Such threats include unreliable content, social engineering, malware, stealing network credentials, man-in-the-middle-attacks, ransomware, and so on.
Privacy threats. Privacy threats may become even more significant as VR devices collect a lot about who the user is and what they are doing. VR headsets cover the user’s entire vision, which can be dangerous if hackers take over the device. It is nearly impossible to anonymize VR and AR tracking data because individuals have unique patterns of movement. Using the behavioral and biological information collected in VR headsets, researchers have identified users with a very high degree of accuracy – presenting a real problem if VR systems are hacked.
Health risks for a user. Users’ well-being is also the field where developers should pay close attention to mitigate any possible risks. Users of virtual reality games have reported a host of troubling effects, including damage to their vision, disorientation, and even seizures. In addition to this, using VR carries a very real risk of injury. It is worth mentioning that device producers did huge work to avoid this so that VR devices’ use becomes safer and safer.
Addiction. There is also the category of a variety of possible risks related to possible user addiction to the virtual world, but this is something that is still hard to talk about on a proven basis. The potential risks of VR (especially video games using VR technologies) addiction are similar to gaming disorder, which was recognized as an addictive behavior by the World Health Organization.
Denis Bedun from Softengi
What is a virtual reality headset?
A virtual reality headset is a portable electronic device that provides an immersive experience in a virtual world where it can move around, interact with objects and data, and even communicate with other individuals.
This tool allows the user to be immersed in a 360-degree experience through the use of multi-sensory 3D stereoscopic technology that stimulates sight, hearing, and even touch. Indeed, the headset is equipped with lenses capable of amplifying the images projected onto each eye so as to create an ultra-realistic 3D vision, accompanied in most cases by integrated speakers. In addition, they contain a series of sensors to completely follow the user and accurately reproduce their gestures in their environment. As virtual reality (VR) and the metaverse continue to redefine our digital experiences, it’s worth delving into the intersection of AI in esports, to stay at the forefront of the evolving landscape.
A multipurpose use
Some companies have understood the potential of virtual reality headsets and have seized this opportunity to address more specific issues, from the design phase to the marketing of a product. For example, virtual reality headsets can be used to visualize 3D models during the design phase, which enables to optimization of the design of a brand’s products.
There are many areas of professional use for this device:
- Visualization of intangible concepts and complex data
- Collaborative work
- Staff training
- Communication campaigns/awareness campaigns
This technology allows companies to make significant savings on secondary costs such as travel and space reservations. The virtual reality headset thus proves, through its results, the close link between virtual reality and the business world.
Thomas Serrurier from TechViz
What if I don’t have a headset for AR/VR?
With today’s technical possibilities, you can now visualize items in AR or VR, in any environment, without the need of a headset or any other equipment. Thus making these visualization tools accessible to an even broader audience.
Augmented Reality (AR) is a real-time, interactive experience, adding graphical imagery to the real world which works very easily on your smartphone or tablet. In the case of web-based AR, you can visualize items straight from your website, anywhere and anytime you want, without the need of an app or any other device. iONE360 takes it even one step further and makes it possible to configure products within the AR environment.
Let’s take, for example, a sofa. First, you configure the model you have in mind. Next, you display the configured sofa in your own home. And finally, with iONE360 configurable AR you can make further adjustments to the configuration while still using AR, such as try out different colors and shapes, until you have your perfect setup.
Virtual Reality (VR), traditionally, requires a headset or similar device. But as technologies evolve, a headset is no longer a prerequisite. In the so-called Mixed Reality (MR), AR and VR technologies are combined, allowing customers to visualize digital objects in any chosen environment, real-life or virtual.
The iONE360 configuration platform is a good example of such a ‘mixed reality, making it possible to customize and visualize a piece of furniture, or even your entire living room. From configuring one sofa or table to your needs and wishes to projecting them in your real-life environment using AR. Or draw up a digital twin of your living room using the Room Planner. Place configurable furniture within virtual reality and ‘walk’ through your room to view your space from all possible angles.
Want to bring your home into the metaverse just using your phone? All you needed was right there in your hands all along.
Esther Léon from iONE360
How does 3D Visualizer work, and who is it for?
3D visualizer is a software platform used for visualizing home designs in the real estate industry.
Users generally start the journey by picking a scene they wish to design and visualize. The scene could be a kitchen, a bathroom, or even the exterior of a house. After that, users will choose a product to customize, for example, a kitchen cabinet. When a product option is selected, the user can see the scene changes in real-time.
The scene could be as simple as static rendered images changing as each option is selected. In this case, it’s more like a 2D experience. Powered by gaming technology, some visualizers run in a truly 3D environment for a better experience. Users can move around to see the design from any angle and zoom in to check details at their will. The truly 3D visualizer might also be used with a VR device for a more immersive experience.
3D visualizers are popular among home builders, condo developers, and product manufacturers. For home builders, a 3D visualizer helps generate leads, speed up the sales cycle, and create a more engaging home buying experience. Potential homebuyers could “play the designer” to personalize and fall in love with their ideal home.
Condo developers may use a 3D visualizer to simplify the design process and increase upgrade sales when home buyers select their future home finishes. Buyers can either complete the process themselves or with help from a professional designer in the design center or remotely. Some 3D visualizers come with other features, such as real-time pricing of the selections. By removing the guesswork of how everything matches, the visualizer helps the buyer justify the upgrade value and fall in love with the design.
3D visualizers can showcase manufacturers’ different products variations in a room scene context. Customers can zoom in to check details, including color, texture, and size. Customers can also see how the product looks in a context, rather than as an isolated object.
Frank Guido from Aareas
What are the challenges of virtual reality?
Even though virtual reality (VR) has had a big year and is quickly gaining popularity, there are still challenges that the technology and the overall industry face prior to going totally mainstream. The main issues consist of awareness, cost, and discomfort.As mentioned, the main challenge is that VR is still a very new technology and still has some issues to iron out. Yes, the term virtual reality was coined in the 1980s, but many people have yet to even try on a VR headset. Quality VR experiences are not as easy to access compared to their augmented reality counterparts (AR). That’s because the number of smartphones (aka devices that support AR) wildly outnumbers VR headsets in the market, so it makes sense that most people have dabbled in AR versus VR.The next challenge that VR faces is the cost of development. While the price of a VR headset has dramatically decreased over the last decade, the cost for companies (like Balti Virtual) to develop custom content is still relatively expensive. Brands, agencies, and institutions have incredible ideas for VR but can hit a roadblock when it comes to execution due to the costs involved.If cost isn’t an issue and development is underway, the next problem to solve is creating an experience that doesn’t make users feel physically uncomfortable. In the most extreme case, a poorly executed VR experience can cause motions sickness and will make someone forever wary of the technology. Even the best experiences can cause eye strain and headaches for certain users (although hardware companies are working hard to solve these problems).While VR is not the perfect solution for everything at the moment, it’s an extremely useful tool for a lot of applications i.e. training, gaming, travel & more. As with most emerging technologies, the problems will get better with time and the industry will continue to expand.
Zoe Nardo from Balti Virtual
What are the benefits of VR technology and resources libraries can utilize to implement it into the education of students?
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality, or AR, adds virtual objects to reality and places them in your physical world. This requires using a device with a display to see the blending of the two realities. This can be a smartphone, for example. We can use our fingers to move the objects or view them larger and smaller. Some of you probably already know this from apps that allow you to place virtual furniture in a room before you buy it. Also, we all know AR from social media filters.
At Sensape, we use augmented reality to create interactive brand experiences for our clients, where their customers can be totally immersed. For a beverage company, for example, we created different AR worlds for different drinks that catapult the user into a beach bar. We combine the real world, i.e. the video image of the user and their surroundings, with the virtual bar world to create a fun image with the brand. Then we add AR Face elements such as hats or glasses that match the selected drink. To ensure that the AR elements are placed appropriately, there must also be artificial intelligence behind the augmented reality that recognizes where the user’s nose is, for example. At Sensape, we go one step further and can recognize external characteristics such as age, gender, and emotion of the user with our AI.
This gives us the basis we need for our interactive brand experiences. Our goal is to create an even more personal brand experience by displaying content based on the characteristics and, therefore, to convince users of this even more quickly. But AR can also be used for gamification aspects or even to meet your idol for a photo virtually. Our demand for information is growing all the time. To satisfy it, more information or even videos, 3D elements, or AR games can be displayed interactively via WebAR, which is called up via the smartphone camera. AR can be used everywhere, whether at the point of sale while shopping, at events, or simply at home. We have already used AR in supermarkets, on ski slopes, at trade fairs, in soccer stadiums, in train stations, and in many more places to help brands increase their brand awareness and sales numbers and improve their image.
Hanna Schubert from Sensape
Applications and examples of augmented reality in the home design sector
The home design industry was one of the first sectors to look beyond augmented reality’s (AR) initial reputation as an entertainment technology and explore its practical applications. If we look at the rocketing online shopping demand and incomparable AR conversion rates, it was a clever move.
Home furnishings and accessories giant, IKEA, springs to mind as one of the early adopters in the sphere. In 2017, the company launched the IKEA Place app, allowing its customers to try virtual replicas of the desired furniture in their homes. This app helped the company instill confidence in its online shoppers as people could test if the items they choose are a good fit in terms of size, color, and overall room design. It is not practical to organize try-ons of huge items. Even if we go to a physical store to pick our furniture, we have to use our imagination to see how it would fit in our homes. In this example, AR created something previously impossible to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UudV1VdFtuQ
Another home design area that does not easily lend itself to try-ons is wall colors. Of course, we can take a few sample strokes to our walls, but it isn’t practical to paint an entire wall multiple times to get to the color we want. Sometimes we settle for the color because it is already done. Helping their customers to make the best decision, Dulux Decorator Centre launched an app that lets people try different colors and color schemes on their walls through augmented reality. Again, this is a cost-effective solution and helps seal purchase decisions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7BkxAnnoBw
However, AR is not just for established brands that can afford white-label solutions. Tools like Overly offer simple do-it-yourself AR opportunities that enable businesses of all sizes and individual designers to create AR experiences easily. This can include trying out 3D furniture from brands that don’t have their solutions. We see that people often want to try out how a TV or a coffee machine may look, so AR provides a space for visualizing household gadgets too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APiLR-xRXbs
Another important aspect of home design is making a house into a home through unique decorations. A common trend now is for designers and artists to sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to secure the sale of physical items. To help serve the segment of art connoisseurs, Overly recently integrated with OpenSea.io—the most trusted NFT trading place. The platform now serves as a simple way for shoppers to try out art pieces they want to purchase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upw-_5ugNYc
Is AR relevant to your home design idea? I’d say it’s best to follow data to find your answers. The latest research shows that 41% of people are mobile-first shoppers. More than 64% of the growing consumer body, Gen Zs, are committed to buying everything online, while 92% want to use AR tools for e-commerce. It is more likely that the answer is yes.
Elīna Karole from Overly
What are the applications and some examples of augmented reality?
Augmented Reality is the technology that adds digital layers to our physical reality opening new prospects. It enriches the user’s experience by enhancing real-world objects with computer-generated information.
In the coming times, the impact of AR will span across industries, organizations, universities, and other institutions. It will transform the way we learn, earn, and live in the physical world and in the metaverse.
Applications of Augmented Reality, along with examples
Medical Field
Augmented Reality will present new ways of diagnosis, training, and treatment in the medical field. Healthcare providers could superimpose radiographic images on a live patient and see the outcome through AR glasses.
For example, surgeons at Johns Hopkins Medicine are using an AR headset called “xvision,”. The headset allows them to see layered digital images in real-time during procedures. “
Similarly, AR can be used in training health care providers as well.
Corporate
AR will help enterprises in enhancing their operations and improve their profitability. They can use AR to improve user experience, train employees, design and create products, manage value chains, and much more.
Tanishq, the largest jewelry retailer in India, collaborated with Queppelin to launch its latest jewelry collection through a metaverse press conference. The event saw the interoperability of metaverse and AR. Users can attend the event in the metaverse but try digital jewelry through the Vossle AR feature on their authentic self.
Entertainment and Gaming
AR has immense potential in the field of entertainment. The immersive experience offered by AR takes entertainment to a whole new level. Now, the users are not just passive viewers but actively participating. Similarly, AR will make games much more engaging than they ever were. Pokemon Go is the most popular example of the same.
Other examples are areTreasure Hunt, Real Strike, and Zombie Go.
Education
Augmented Reality in education will simplify complex concepts. AR will allow learners to see concepts transpiring in front of their eyes. Moreover, they can manipulate digital objects and improve their understanding even further.
Worker Studios’ Cosmonut application is one such example of augmented reality learning, and we wish to see more such endeavors in the future.
Shubham Gandhi from Queppelin
How is Augmented Reality (AR) different from Virtual Reality (VR)?
Often used interchangeably, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are two different concepts on a spectrum of immersion and interactivity. While VR immerses the user in a completely digital environment, AR overlays virtual objects that enhance the user’s real-world environment.
There are many applications that empower everyday work with the additional data and context that wouldn’t traditionally be captured in a purely real-world interaction.
For example, the AR-powered video collaboration platform StreemCore™ arms service providers with the ability to point out key details with an AR laser pointer or draw with an AR marker that overlays on their customer’s real-world environment. Service providers are able to digitally guide their customers in a collaborative video call, saving everyone time, lift and effort.
When a service provider can see what their customer sees and easily guide them with AR tools as their assistant, communication barriers are eliminated. Both customers and agents leave the interaction delighted, all because of Augmented Reality. When that interaction is recorded and object/character recognition tools capture project details that lend to accuracy and data insights, the ways businesses deliver exceptional customer experiences (CX) are transformed.
Enabled by the abundance and abilities of smartphones, the AR industry is becoming a part of everyday life. Yes, AR experiences like Pokémon Go or Snapchat filters are fun, but AR is having a noticeable impact on solving problems that humans encounter daily. Actions like processing insurance claim remotely with AR annotations or remotely guiding a customer through a simple fix of their bbq grill are changing the way we interact, learn, and consume.
As technology advances and accessibility partnered with demand leads consumers and businesses to adopt VR and AR, the opportunities are endless. The global augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) market reached 28 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, and is expected to rise to over 250 billion U.S. dollars by 2028.
Though the opportunities are endless, tangible results can often be found in the ordinary. Implement AR as a solution to a business problem by identifying a persistent pain point that will improve with context and connection. Arm your team with AR-powered tools, like StreemCore™, that will set your business and CX apart and let the magic unfold.
Chase Sbicca from Streem
What are the key advantages of outsourcing app development?
There are a few benefits to outsourcing app development. Let’s go over them:
- Cost-effectiveness: Instead of hiring an in-house team, companies can tap into a global talent pool of freelancers and entrepreneurs. This is less expensive than the cost of hiring one or multiple employees for the task.
- Strategic focus: Outsourcing allows businesses to focus on the core profit-making activities. Instead of hiring a team, working full-time on app development, and investing in trial and error, companies can redirect their internal resources towards their company’s goals and objectives.
- Flexibility and scalability: When outsourcing the app development process, companies can adjust the process according to their needs. They can hire more developers or downsize the team without having to deal with the hiring process or layoffs.
- Accelerate time-to-market: Experienced developers have established workflows that are efficient. This helps to reduce development timelines and can get apps to the market faster.
Overall, outsourcing app development is a great strategic move to enhance business processes. It’s important that businesses select a reliable, experienced software development company to enjoy increased effectiveness.
YouTeam
Why choose AG instead of VR?
Dave Alpert from Geopogo
The metaverse is more than virtual reality, according to the ultimate analysis of differences in the metaverse vs. virtual reality argument. Virtual reality is arguably one of the most important technologies for the metaverse’s development. It enables people to interact with the metaverse. However, VR is only capable of a limited number of functions.
There are several steps you can take to find the right company to produce virtual reality (VR) content for you:
- Determine your needs: Before you start looking for a company, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your VR content. Do you want a fully immersive experience, or something more straightforward? Knowing your goals will help you find a company that has the necessary expertise and resources.
- Research potential companies: Look for companies that specialize in VR content production and have a track record of producing high-quality work. You can find companies by searching online, asking for recommendations from industry colleagues, or attending industry events and conferences.
- Review portfolios and case studies: Once you have a list of potential companies, take a look at their portfolios and case studies to get a sense of their style and capabilities. This will help you determine if they have the experience and skills to produce the kind of VR content you need.
- Consider their technical capabilities: VR content production requires specialized technical skills and equipment. Make sure the company you choose has the necessary expertise and resources to produce your content to the highest quality.
- Look for experience in your industry: If your VR content will be used in a specific industry (such as healthcare or education), look for a company that has experience producing content for that industry. They will be better equipped to understand your needs and create content that meets the specific requirements of that industry.
- Communicate with the company: Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential companies, reach out to them and have a conversation about your project. This will give you a chance to ask any questions and get a feel for their communication and collaboration style.
- Compare estimates and proposals: Once you’ve gathered estimates and proposals from different companies, compare them to determine which one offers the best value for your budget. Keep in mind that the lowest price may not always be the best choice – you want to find a company that can deliver high-quality work at a fair price.
- Make sure the software development company you choose offers full-cycle VR app development, from idea validation to 3D design, programming, user acceptability testing, and support.
VR and the Metaverse offer businesses transformative benefits by creating immersive and personalized customer experiences, particularly in retail marketing. Virtual storefronts and events can attract global audiences, reducing physical overhead costs and enabling scalable marketing campaigns. These technologies also enhance collaboration through virtual workspaces and training while providing rich data insights on customer behavior for informed decision-making. Retailers benefit from enhanced product visualization, AR integration, and interactive advertising, leading to better customer engagement and differentiated brand positioning. Ultimately, early VR and the Metaverse adoption can yield significant competitive advantages and open new revenue streams.
