What is Virtual Reality?

Source: TheWrap.com

VR or virtual reality is the newest way in which people can game. Different from normal computer gaming; VR has been created to give a fully immersive, life-like experience inside a digital 3D environment; instead of being watched on a screen.

It allows the gamer to feel fully submerged into gameplay. With the atmosphere of them being situated right in the center of the game; fighting criminals or being front line combat.

Although VR is a force to be reckoned with; in the gaming industry, the technology does come with a handful of issues.

Like everything, we should use VR in moderation. Below are some of the psychological, physical and mental issues that can be caused when humans use VR.

Social Impact

It is suggested that those who engage with virtual reality gaming to quite a high intensity have issues conforming in social situations. A person can quickly delve into the fake world of virtual reality, causing them to learn unrealistic norms and situations, rather than experiencing real-life actions and consequences. 

This can quickly cause a person to be unable to adapt in social situations as simple as having a conversation with a stranger, as they are only used to the augmented reality that is VR and simply know how to react in this parallel world. 

In the long run, these issues can be significantly impactful on a person’s life. It can interrupt successful schooling, getting a job and even building a loving relationship with a partner; all things that are normality to most people.

The Impact On Child Behaviour

Inside VR, the gamer will take on actions such as shooting or fighting, more often than not these are acts of violence. This can cause the gamer to become desensitised to violence outside of VR, and not see them as an issue, as they can do them inside the VR with no consequences. This is a bigger issue, especially with the younger generation. They are still learning and it is very simple for children to mimic the actions they see. The social theory in psychological studies states that children learn behaviors through imitation and observation. The relationship between violent video games and children’s behavior is wildly questioned. 

As well as this, due to VR having the power to create a truly realistic environment for the users; it can cause them to turn their backs on the real world. A study found that children experience VR as more ‘real’ than adults, this can mean that children are more likely to be influenced by VR, both positively and negatively. 

Inside VR there aren't any real human issues. This can seem more satisfactory to someone; not having to deal with real-life issues.

The synthetic world of VR can quickly become more appealing to real life. And, with the devices becoming more advanced as time goes on; it is uncertain how lifelike its visuals will become. Soon, making VR the preferred way to live for some.

Cyber Sickness

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Just like being on a boat; cybersickness is a form of motion illness caused by being subject to a high level of VR exposure. The sickness can range from a small headache to issues of a more serious level; just from gaming.

There isn't a full list of the variables that cause cybersickness. However, it is suggested that the viewing point of the gamer; alongside the lag and movement speed, are all main culprits of the sickness being felt.

Damage Of The Eyes

It isn't an unknown fact that excessive use of any device; whether it is a tablet or Xbox can cause some eye strain and damage. However; due to virtual reality being created from wearing a screened headset, the eyes are exposed to a huge amount of glare. As well as possible flashes that cause an uncomfortable amount of strain. 

Unfortunately, the effect on the eyes won't seem obvious at first; which is the cause of most long term issues. While the player feels fine, they will continue to use the device. With prolonged, regular use, the eyes will slowly build up with more and more damage, getting to a point where the effects can be irreversible.

Not only can the strain cause issues with simple sight and focus of the eyes, but it can also cause deficiencies with eye growth, leading to myopia or nearsightedness. Both serious problems that can change the person’s eye shape and retina function for the rest of their lives.

Real-World Injuries

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Being possibly less of a side effect and more of a hazard; is the physical injuries you could obtain from taking part in VR. 

Due to it being a blinding headset; and the gamer has to move physically in order to move in the game; the chances of running into furniture or knocking off a glass ornament is very high. This leads to the possibilities of many injuries happening. 

Some VR goggles do warn the player when they are approaching an object within the home. But; this is not one hundred per cent accurate when it comes to avoiding injuries and a gamer is completely blind-sighted by the VR headset leaving their complete trust in a machine. This is specifically important when it comes to games that are better played standing up.

Psychological Problems

VR can surprisingly create an ‘existential hangover’ when the gamer is taking a break from the device.

Just like that of a normal hangover, withdrawal from the VR can cause many issues. Such as feeling drowsy, lightheaded, sad and overall cause the person to be detached in a dream-like state. Shockingly, that can last for up to a few weeks in severe cases. 

The use of VR can decrease a person's sense of presence in real life which will increase their dissociate experiences. These can be lesser or greater. It depends on how well the player's mindset was before they entered the world of virtual reality. One who suffers from mental health issues would be at a greater risk of VR affecting their well being to one who does not.

Summary

While virtual reality creates a gaming experience like no other, it comes with its downfalls. These can be hindered upon. And, sometimes be seen as a problem that VR just isn't worth taking the chances for. 

The highly intelligent gaming device creates personal issues from sight problems, cybersickness and can impact massively on the social life of the gamer. So, it goes without saying, is the gaming device as great as everyone believes? 

Played with the right amount of monitoring, many of these issues could actually be missed. But it is still hard to judge the severity or chances of them still happening when seeing someone play for a drastic amount of time. In the next year, 70% of VR users intend on increasing their usage. So, in order to stay on the good side of this gaming device, play it with caution. Time lengths spent on this device should be well billed, with spacing out being the best option to decrease chancing of any issues being created. 

Featured image from Pexels.com

Big industries are not only accepting computer technology and general technological advancement but they also embrace it and participate in further development in their particular spheres of interest. These mutual activities have brought many changes and here are a couple of most gripping ones.

The banking industry and the blockchain

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Perhaps the biggest change the digitalization has brought to financial institutions, namely banks, is allowing the clients to exert greater control over their money. The only way to check the state of your account was by going to the bank or by vehemently listing all monthly expenditures while sending funds to others meant visiting the bank or the post office.

Nowadays we can access our accounts through various devices, as well as send and receive money while not moving an inch from the screens of the said devices. The banking industry's future will be even more digital and many believe that it is only a matter of time when the banks will embrace the blockchain technology and its more efficient and safer way of storing data and completing transactions. We have yet to see whether the banking system will indeed introduce new technology or will they risk being left behind.

The oil industry and e-commerce

Oil is one of the most sought-after fuels so it's no wonder that so many efforts in the field of technology were directed at this particular industry. For starters, it has made it safer for the employees with the aid of drones who can be used to assess the degree of risk in case of explosions, oil spills or fire. This is not the only application of drones in the oil industry - they can also help with different kinds of evaluations, calculations, as well as planning.

However, perhaps the biggest transformation in the oil industry has been brought upon by e-commerce. The appearance of e-commerce platforms made the most sophisticated oilfield equipment more available raising the standards of equipment quality. This will continue to boost the overall efficiency in this industry since you save time by shopping online and also funds because you can find them for a smaller price than at your local equipment stores.

The manufacturing industry and robotic arms

Factories around the globe have introduced different kinds of monitoring systems, depending on the products that are produced, to be able to track the entire production process. This kind of control allows them to make informed decisions about changes that need to be made to improve the process which is of utmost importance for giant manufacturers of goods. 

What's interesting though is that digital advancements are also changing the employee structure by implementing a few additional sets of helpful hands - that is, robotic arms. This novelty has made factories a safer place for the workers because the arms have been given more complex and dangerous tasks but also those that demand great precision which can only be programmed. This also means fewer mistakes which represents an immeasurable benefit for entrepreneurs.

The retail industry and augmented reality

Source: Pixabay.com

Online shopping has been a blessing for many people: while some don't have the time to go from shop to shop, others simply detest the whole process. Technological advancement allowed us to visit a website or install an app and browse through images and descriptions of items, while slowly sipping on your morning coffee instead of waiting in line at the cash register. 

However, some are reluctant to purchase clothing online since they cannot try the items on to see how or if they fit at all. As an answer to that issue, technology offered us the opportunity to try out clothes from the comfort of our sofas - via augmented reality apps. These apps, such as the one developed for Gap, will allow you to enter your body measurements and then see how the pieces of clothes you choose look like on a mannequin based on your body proportions. We can expect brick-and-mortar stores of the future to be smaller since there will be no need for large scale stocking.

Final thoughts

Most people see changes through their own lives: they drive electric cars and ev stations, use internet banking services, get items delivered to their doorstep. They know this simplifies their everyday lives and that technology saves their time and money in a lot of cases.

However, there are those who don't settle with simply using those time-saving gadgets and software. Those people want to be active participants in this (r)evolution and work everyday in their industries of choice on pushing the boundaries of the possible to facilitate the work, and subsequently, the lives of people all around the globe. And you can bet that this fast-paced digital world we live in still has a few aces up its sleeve to surprise us.

What Is Augmented Reality?

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Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the breakthrough technologies of the 20th century. Back then, when its full potential had not yet been realized, it was utilized for military testing purposes. Now, over 20 years later, it is fully immersed in everyday technology. Its uses are continually expanding, making it an important tool for modern-day business strategies.

Through AR, companies provide their customers with a unique experience by adding superimposed information to their everyday lives. Augmented reality should not be mistaken with virtual reality. If virtual reality creates a completely new environment for a user in a make-believe virtual realm, augmented reality takes what is present within a user’s environment and adds to it to create an “augmented” environment.

In the present day, AR features are typically easily accessible by individuals through their mobile phones. However, this growing AR accessibility is not stopping any time soon. Modern innovations are finding more ways to further integrate AR into everyday life. As such, it has become one of the most important instruments in modern-day marketing strategies.

The Benefits of Augmented Reality

The potential of augmented reality opens many opportunities for different marketing strategies mentioned in this article. The use of AR is one of the emerging trends that allow companies to introduce their products to consumers in new and more engaging ways. In many ways, augmented reality presents different benefits for businesses due to the following characteristics:

Interesting

There are different features offered by augmented reality. However, given the wide range of technological advancements, people are accustomed to in the present day, impressing an individual may be a lot more difficult. This makes augmented reality an interesting tool that would most likely pique a person’s interests.

Augmented reality creates a new platform that can catch the interest of individuals who are looking for new things. Unlike the print ad marketing strategy of the past, the futuristic approach brought by augmented reality will attract a lot of people. By giving the brand a lot of exposure, AR helps a business reach more potential customers, leading to an increase in product sales.

Additionally, being able to use augmented reality can send out a good message to the consumers. With this up-to-date technology, they will be convinced of a company’s capability to produce high-quality products. This can help the company gain an image of being futuristic and innovative. It also improves their reputation among the public market.

Flexible

At present, the possibilities augmented reality presents are endless. Unlike print ads and traditional commercial advertisements, AR in marketing is not bounded by rules, frames, time limits, or scripts. This ultra-realistic, super-imposed reality can become what a company needs it to be. With its unlimited capabilities, it can augment reality and demonstrate a product that can speak for itself.

Through an AR application, a potential customer can watch a product come to life. This can give them a better idea of a product, giving them more confidence in their choices. With its flexibility, an AR can be as simple or as complicated as businesses want. This makes it one of the most advanced and coveted marketing tools in the modern world.

Interactive

AR marketing strategies are highly beneficial as they present features that allow companies to better engage a client. By being interactive, the user experience AR technology offers to consumers is unlike any other. A potential client will feel more drawn to a marketing ad that they can interact with, control, and manipulate. Through this technology, the ad comes alive in the real world.

What Is the Role of Augmented Reality in Marketing?

Given the characteristics of augmented reality, how exactly can it be used in a marketing strategy? There are several answers to this question. This brings us back to the biggest benefit that AR provides – it can be anything anyone wants it to be.

1. Augmented Reality Helps Users Try a Product Before They Decide to Buy

At present, there is an ever-widening marketplace full of products that a customer can choose from. As such, a means of allowing them to experience a product before they decide to purchase it is a huge plus. In the retail industry, “try before you buy” through AR is making waves. Now, customers can decide to see what they would look like after they decide to buy a product. They don’t even have to be in a physical store to manually sift through racks and racks of products. They can just be lounging at home, scrolling through the different products they may like. When they find the right match, they can head to the store knowing exactly what they wish to buy. This works for clothing, cosmetics, and a whole lot more!

2. It Helps Create a Buzz Around A Brand Name

We cannot deny that people in the modern era are hungry for advancements. People are constantly looking out for new things. Everyone wishes to get into a fad and understand what’s hot and what’s not. This explains why brands are constantly trying to be on those “top trending” lists.

If “trending” is the name of the game, then AR might be the brand-new marketing strategy that everyone is looking for. Being relatively new for a lot of people, AR technology is sure to amaze many of users. It will create a new user experience that will definitely reach the airwaves. Right now, Instagram has been implementing a lot of AR strategies to create new and interactive filters. This is gaining popularity, drawing more users to go on the platform and try this new feature. A business that decides to be one of the first users of AR as a campaign strategy will have an edge over competitors.

3. It Can Help Merge Expectations and Reality

A lot of individuals are now keen when watching different advertisements. Over the years, the topic of “expectation vs. reality” has become one of the main criticisms against brands. A lot of brands are not able to deliver exactly what they advertise to customers. However, with augmented reality, brands can finally find a way to merge expectations and reality.

Augmented reality can help businesses show their products exactly how they are without compromising the “wow” factor customers are looking for. By showing clients exactly what they can give, companies show off a brand that values transparency, honesty, and reliability. By doing away with unrealistic standards of marketing, businesses will have products that can sell themselves, without being prettied up for the camera.

What Now?

Now is not the time to be left behind. The competition within the market is getting tougher and more cutthroat than ever. Without having the initiative to constantly find new ways to grow and innovate, a business will not survive. In a sea of competition, a business must do what it can to keep afloat. Unrealistic advertisements are a thing of the past; AR advertising is the thing of the future.