Pokémon Go and the business potential of augmented reality

NAIROBI, KENYA: The tech world is keen on immersive experiences, which has seen our devices contorted in all sorts of ways to make our interactions with them more all-consuming. Both augmented and virtual reality make up what’s come to be known as alternative reality; a situation helped along by our larger-screen TVs and smartphones.

Last week, we looked at virtual reality and the various ways one can monetise the technology. Today, we’re looking at augmented reality, which is a slightly different variation of this technology.

Augmented reality is a direct or indirect view of a real-world environment with some computer-generated elements – such as a graphics, video, sound or even location data – superimposed. This is done through a smart device, such as a smartphone or specialised eye glasses.

Augmented reality enhances the perception of reality, as opposed to virtual reality, which aims to replace it.

So, because you’re here for the business in this technology, let’s get down to how augmented reality can be turned into a money-maker.

Making money

Popular applications of this particular technology that one can monetise include ideas around marketing, recreation and gaming, design and education.

Imagine being on a sunny beach, with the sound of the ocean waves in your ears, then in just a few seconds, being thrown smack in the middle of the wildebeest migration with all the heart-thumping action of the wild Mara right in front of you. Imagine again, in just a few more seconds that you’re now seated a sleek, luxurious limousine – and all this without moving from where you’re seated.

Such is the power of augmented reality when it comes to marketing. Augmented reality can be used to recreate any environment in any space that you are in, thereby giving your potential clients a more realistic and, hopefully, convincing idea of what to buy.

When it comes to gaming, you can superimpose characters in an interesting game story that features real-life scenery, and do this using a smartphone or even glasses to produce an interesting experience. Your imagination as an application developer would be your only limit.

Popular apps like Pokémon Go, Snapchat, Instagram and even Facebook have been using augmented reality with the filters they offer. Following their example and producing local games has great revenue-generation potential.

In design, whether it’s in interior design or architecture, developed designs can be super-imposed on views of actual real-world spaces, further enhancing their conceptualisation. For instance, wearing special glasses or even using your smartphone as a viewfinder, combined with an attached camera, can produce great results that help clients visualise the project before it’s completed.

As far as education is concerned and with the proliferation of smart devices in institutions of learning, augmented reality can be used to enhance how students interact with what they learn in history, geography and the sciences. Developing apps and solutions for this kind of enhanced learning can be a great income earner. Both augmented and virtual reality make up what’s come to be known as alternative reality; a situation helped along by our larger-screen TVs and smartphones.

Last week, we looked at virtual reality and the various ways one can monetise the technology. Today, we’re looking at augmented reality, which is a slightly different variation of this technology.

Augmented reality is a direct or indirect view of a real-world environment with some computer-generated elements – such as a graphics, video, sound or even location data – superimposed. This is done through a smart device, such as a smartphone or specialised eye glasses.

Augmented reality enhances the perception of reality, as opposed to virtual reality, which aims to replace it.

So, because you’re here for the business in this technology, let’s get down to how augmented reality can be turned into a money-maker.

Making money

Popular applications of this particular technology that one can monetise include ideas around marketing, recreation and gaming, design and education.

Imagine being on a sunny beach, with the sound of the ocean waves in your ears, then in just a few seconds, being thrown smack in the middle of the wildebeest migration with all the heart-thumping action of the wild Mara right in front of you. Imagine again, in just a few more seconds that you’re now seated a sleek, luxurious limousine – and all this without moving from where you’re seated.

Such is the power of augmented reality when it comes to marketing. Augmented reality can be used to recreate any environment in any space that you are in, thereby giving your potential clients a more realistic and, hopefully, convincing idea of what to buy.

When it comes to gaming, you can superimpose characters in an interesting game story that features real-life scenery, and do this using a smartphone or even glasses to produce an interesting experience. Your imagination as an application developer would be your only limit.

Popular apps like Pokémon Go, Snapchat, Instagram and even Facebook have been using augmented reality with the filters they offer. Following their example and producing local games has great revenue-generation potential.

In design, whether it’s in interior design or architecture, developed designs can be super-imposed on views of actual real-world spaces, further enhancing their conceptualisation. For instance, wearing special glasses or even using your smartphone as a viewfinder, combined with an attached camera, can produce great results that help clients visualise the project before it’s completed.

As far as education is concerned and with the proliferation of smart devices in institutions of learning, augmented reality can be used to enhance how students interact with what they learn in history, geography and the sciences. Developing apps and solutions for this kind of enhanced learning can be a great income earner.