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Augmented Reality - Only for Gamers?

Learning Outcome: After reading this article, you will be able to talk
about augmented reality.
CEFR: Reading for information and argument.
Key Skills: Talking about future trends and predictions.
Key Topic: Advertising and technology.

Estimated study time: 10-15 minutes

Augmented Reality - Only for Gamers?


Augmented reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Although often bracketed together, technically these are two different concepts. AR is defined as a live direct or
indirect view of the real world whose elements are supplemented by computer input. By contrast, VR replaces the
real world with a simulated one and here it's the means of delivery of the virtual world that is becoming more
sophisticated and is attracting investment.

A billion dollar industry?


Yes!accordingtoanalystHeatherBelliniatinvestmentbankers,GoldmanSachswhopredictedearlierthis
year that the virtual and augmented reality market could become an $80 billion industry by 2025. It may not be
this year that the industry takes off, but over the next decade it is set to have an impact in many areas of our lives.

Current state of play


Without a doubt the biggest strides forward have been in the field of gaming. Google, Facebook, Samsung and
Microsoft all have products in the virtual reality sphere. Hence it's likely that gaming and entertainment will
drive much of the growth, but remember when the home computer first arrived with the Commodore 64
and the Spectrum in the 1980's very few people used them as anything more than a gaming machine.

Do we need another piece of new technology?


Well, that's always debatable, but it certainly seems to have excited consumer interest. Google's
Cardboard, which retailed at about $20, helped introduce VR to Main Stream consumers and Google opened its
first dedicated VR division in 2016. The Cardboard team also introduced an integration with specialist miniature
camera maker, GoPro (on every budding video-makers wish list) that brings virtual reality video to YouTube.

Facebook and Oculus


InJuly2014FacebookacquiredOculusVR,theleaderinvirtualrealitytechnologyforareported$2billiondollars.Theirlatestproduct
theOculusRiftissettohitthestoresinMarchthisyearandaccordingtomanytechnologyobserversit'sa glimpse of the future "you're going to be hooked, the experience is so compelling"

Soanothertoyfortheboys?
Maybe, but then again maybe not, Oculus is including Oculus Cinema as a free application, which allows the Rift
to be used to view conventional movies and videos from inside a virtual movie cinema environment. As well as
consumer uses, the Rift has attracted considerable interest from professional and industrial areas for
product enhancement, visualization and advertising. There is potential in the spheres of architecture,
surgery, car sales, maintenance and of course in the military. Augmented reality company, Daqri, recently
unveiled a set of glasses built into a helmet designed with industrial use in mind. It will permit the wearer to
effectively peer into the workings of objects and equipment while being relayed an over-lay of information
such as wiring diagrams, schematics and problem areas. The "Smart Helmet" has already been tested by a range
of companies in the fields of aerospace, construction and energy and will be on sale in the early part of 2016. In
our audio feature this week we talk to two people who are using augmented reality to change the way people are
doing their jobs by augmenting the professional's skill.

So, nothing stopping this then?


Not exactly! There are a few issues that need to be solved. One of the main problems is that some users
havefoundtheheadsetstoorealisticandsufferedmotionsicknessnotapleasantsideeffect!Anotheristhatat
present a headset like the Oculus Rift has to be linked up to a fairly powerful PC running the software. Then
again, if all you want is to play VR games, Samsung's $99 GearVR has tried to solve this problem by developing a
headset that works with the Galaxy smartphone. All you need to do is slip your smartphone into the front of your

headset and away you go.

Conclusion
My prediction? If you haven't seen a virtual reality headset yet, then you soon will.AsforwearingoneIthinkI'llwaitatleast
until they develop a headset that is a little less conspicuous!

Target Language
Over the next decade it (AR) is set to have an impact in many areas of our lives.
It's likely that gaming and entertainment will drive much of the growth.
When the home computer first arrived... few people used them as anything more than a gaming machine.
It certainly seems to have excited consumer interest.
A glimpse of the future.
You're going to be hooked, the experience is so compelling.
Considerable interest... for product enhancement, visualization and advertising.
While being relayed an over-lay of information.
A few issues that need to be solved.
If you haven't seen a virtual reality headset yet, then you soon will.

Top 5
Top 5 Tips to Understand this Area of Technology
1. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are two different linked concepts.
2. AR supplements the real-world view with computer simulated information.
3. VR replaces the real world with a simulated one.
4. AR technology is likely to be driven by business potential.
5. VR technology will be driven by consumer demand.

LetsTalk!
1. "It's going to be an $80 billion a year business by 2025"
What's your view on this prediction and expert's predictions in
general?
2. What areas of technology excite you?
3. What magazines/blogs/news do you read to keep abreast of developments
in technology?
4. How might AR/VR affect your job/your company's business?
5. Describe how you would feel if your company suddenly distributed these
VR headsets for all employees to wear.

Question 1 Fill-In-The-Gap
Choose the correct word from the alternatives, in brackets, to complete the sentences about predictions:

The expert predicted that the economy would A recover

in 2017 .

Based on projected sales figures , company profits would B become


This product has the C potential
With the expected D growth

to be one of our most successful lines ever .


in employee numbers in coming months it is important to regularize employment contracts .

Consumer demand for this product is expected to E take off


We F anticipate

is for a 5% increase in profits in the third quarter .

Creativity is likely to H drive

We can J envision

in the year ahead .

a further drop in oil prices in 2016 .

The current G forecast

We I expect

stronger in October .

the company forward in the future .

all divisions of the company to contribute to growth .


a future where all children receive a proper education .

Credited Source(s)
http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/wearables/gear-vr; http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/12/google-now-has-an-official-virtual-realityboss-to-take-on-facebooks-oculus.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oculus_Rift; http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/14/virtual-reality-couldbecome-an-80b-industry-goldman.html; http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jan/06/intel-daqri-smart-helmet-realsense-araugmented-reality-x-ray-glasses-ces;

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