#1: Introduction to VR/AR & XR, and the metaverse

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies have numerous proven applications, and make real-world impacts.

One such impact has been achieved in Ukraine, where an app created by Fectar is being used to educate children to recognize mines and different kinds of undetonated explosives using an interactive AR app. This app has been specially designed for the conditions and devices available, reaching as many people as possible. By teaching people about the dangers (in an entirely safe way), lives can be saved. That’s a real-world impact.

But what are VR, AR and XR? How are they different, and what’s the connection to the metaverse?

In this inaugural newsletter, we’re going to briefly cover everything you need to know to understand the potential rewards and pitfalls of adopting these technologies for your business.

First, let’s talk about XR

XR, short for Extended Reality, is a term used to encompass the spectrum of immersive technologies that go beyond traditional boundaries of reality, combining elements of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). XR serves as an umbrella term that encompasses the entire range of experiences, from fully virtual to fully real, with various degrees of digital augmentation.

And what about the metaverse as a tool for business?

To describe the metaverse as ‘an alternate, virtual world’ doesn’t do it justice. It would be like describing the internet as ‘a place where cat videos live’.

Yes, there are many people who primarily engage with virtual worlds, play games, and buy digital products and NFTs with real money, but these use-cases are not interesting to the majority of companies, whose products and services are grounded in real-world function, and not appearance.

Admittedly, many of the demos for what the metaverse might become haven’t helped.

A lot of people also feel deeply uneasy about the wedge being driven between workers and the real world, and this isn’t mitigated by the creepy avatars and negative behaviors associated with withdrawing into a fake world.

For most companies, it’s more relevant to talk about how the metaverse can enable the sharing of immersive brand experiences and 3D content that helps them understand a value proposition better, or to explore multiple product variations in microscopic, 3D detail.

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft describes the metaverse like this:

“…the metaverse enables us to embed computing into the real world, and to embed the real world into computing, bringing real presence to any digital space.”

He goes on to explain that this means you can be in a location (virtually), instead of watching it on a screen, or be in a virtual room with virtual colleagues instead of videoconferencing with them.

The metaverse is simply the sum of all platforms, devices and software that enable the sharing of 3D content and immersive experiences, using VR, AR or XR.

And you get to decide how your business uses them.

What are VR and AR?

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are already being used in innovative ways to provide genuine value. So, what are these technologies – and how can you leverage them for your business?

Both VR and AR are immersive technologies that display 3D content, but there’s a key difference:?AR displays virtual content in the real world by overlaying it on the actual visual field.

By contrast, VR blocks out the real world and replaces it entirely with a virtual one.

AR is easily accessible by billions of users using smartphones or tablets, and by a smaller audience with dedicated AR glasses. VR however requires a headset or goggles, and often some kind of sensors or gesture control to enable interaction. As a result, the user-base for VR is much smaller at present with an estimated number of 30 million VR headsets sold worldwide.

Real-world value from AR and VR

There are numerous examples of VR being used to bring good to the world. From medical treatments for PTSD, to training for specialized roles like surgeons and jet engine maintenance – VR has proven value in many areas, and this is growing.

AR also has an incredible range of potential applications, from specialized devices that improve IV insertion, to ‘metaverse marketing’ that helps companies acquire new clients through immersive 3D content.

There’s also huge potential for democratizing education.

Much of the developing world has access to smartphones, making it possible to give people in remote locations access to specialized knowledge and skills through virtual training. This can help people to make direct impacts to their community by gaining new skills without the costs of traveling or attending college. And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

Use cases of AR for business

Many of us already use AR when we attend a zoom meeting with a virtual background.

Videoconferencing is one area where AR and the metaverse will continue to have a role. Zoom recently announced their ‘Spots’ feature, which will enable remote and hybrid workers to use a virtual meeting space to make them as connected to coworkers as if they were in an actual office. In this metaverse use-case, people can drop by your desk to ask a quick question, without needing to book another unnecessary meeting or have a long slack exchange about it.

Without waiting for Zoom and other platforms to create virtual meeting spaces and virtual events, some companies are already building their own.

Another great use case: companies using AR apps to increase sales. This is done by enabling customers to really visualize and get to grips with products via 3D models and AR strores. Fashion and cosmetics are an area with especially high impact, but this also has a positive role with large items or where the price tag might leave traces of doubt. 3D content helps erase this doubt.

While numerous brands like Nike, Adidas, IKEA and many more, have developed their own custom AR apps, this may not be necessary for your company. Numerous businesses are sharing their immersive content with established audiences using the Fectar app.

This approach significantly lowers the time and cost involved in creating and deploying AR and VR experiences, which is a critical consideration when companies are still experimenting with the possibilities.