Alicia?
Alicia!
Oh, yeah?
Are we starting this thing?
Okay, okay!
Hello there!
Sorry about that.
You may be wondering what I was doing before that had me so distracted?
No?
You’re just wondering why we didn’t cut that part out of the video?
It was for “comedy” okay, guys!
Just play along.
Like I was saying, I was checking Instagram.
You see, I love the gram.
I low-key strive to be an Insta influencer
by posting thoughtfully curated photos and stories.
See? It’s going well, isn’t it?
But I’m going to let you in on a little secret — this isn’t my reality.
Shocker, I know.
But not only am I not in a different country every other day,
I don’t even look exactly like this!
Most of these stories have been enhanced with augmented reality, or more commonly known as AR.
Umm AR?
Don’t you mean VR?
No, Megan.
Ugh, I knew this was going to happen.
People always mix up augmented and virtual reality.
Okay, cue the new title card.
Augmented reality?
Virtual reality?
Sounds like a science fiction movie, but the two technologies
have been getting a lot of hype.
They allow us to travel to unknown destinations
and become PokéMasters right from the comfort of our living rooms.
But how do these two technologies differ?
Let’s break it down.
Augmented reality, or AR, allows people to add digital elements into their actual environment.
You’ve probably interacted with this technology already.
Pokémon Go, social apps, and even the NFL all use AR.
My Instagram stories?
Yeah, those were taken with the help of Instagram’s life changing AR technology …
the pretty filter.
Virtual reality, or VR, is a wholly immersive experience that allows the user
to interact with new virtual worlds.
Instead of placing a palm tree in your kitchen,
it makes you feel like you’re drinking rosé in the South of France.
Oh, I could get used to this.
Okay, so AR adds things to your existing world and VR changes your world,
but which play is better to incorporate into your work world?
If you’re looking to completely escape your office
and avoid being interrupted by your annoying co-workers, we recommend VR …
and possibly finding a new job.
But if you’re looking to upscale your content and interact with your audience
in a smart, thoughtful way, we recommend AR.
Augmented Reality presents real opportunities for SMBs now.
Why?
Well for starters, billions of consumers already own an AR device …
their smartphone.
Apple and Android are encouraging developers to build AR applications
to better connect with their customers.
Retailers like Wayfair are already taking advantage of the technology
by letting shoppers see how their home would look with a piece of furniture before they buy it.
And Bud Light partnered with the NFL to sponsor an AR face painting feature on the Denver Broncos,
Houston Texans, and Philadelphia Eagles’ apps.
Imagine the impact AR could have on one-to-one customer service interactions.
Businesses could leverage AR and video-calling technology
to walk consumers through repairs more efficiently.
For example, a contractor could draw on a live image of a prospect’s kitchen
to show them how they would tackle a remodel.
If businesses have the technical talent or an engaging idea on how to leverage existing applications,
AR could be worth exploring.
On the flip side, VR requires specific hardware, like an Oculus Rift headset,
which only a small percentage of the population owns,
making widespread adoption slow.
The opportunity for AR is now
and with no clear brands leading the pack, businesses that invest early on could see a huge payoff.