Pokémon Go has been around for less than a month and already everybody has at least heard about it. But it’s not just about catching digital Pokémon in the real world. In fact, the popularity of the game is a huge step for augmented reality (AR).
AR has been around for years, so what’s the big deal with this Pokémon thing? You see, AR has largely provided entertainment for the select tech-savvy people. By now. The simplicity of the new game developed and distributed by Niantic, Inc., however, has quickly turned it into a household name.
Wait, wasn’t it virtual reality, not augmented reality? Let’s look at the differences. Virtual reality (VR) creates a virtual world to which it transports the user. Augmented reality (AR), on the other hand, brings technology to the user’s real life by enhancing or augmenting it. If VR builds a whole new reality, AR creates a mix of virtual elements and real life settings. For VR, you’ll need a VR helmet or goggles but for AR you can simply use your smartphone or tablet.
Though virtual reality was the first to become popular and many tech companies, such as Google, have been investing in it, augmented reality seems to be in for the kill. With its easier access via a mobile device, AR seems to be better equipped to maintain its world dominance, one caught Pokémon at a time. Actually, Apple have recently announced their interest in investing in AR because, as Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has stated, “it will be huge”.
As a bridge between the digital and the real world, AR has many advantages. These are yet to be explored but personalisation of the consumer experience is certainly a big thing. Another advantage is the ability to take it on the road with you and that leads to yet another asset – AR encourages you to go out in the world and move your butt instead of spending hours on end staring at your monitor, stuffing your face with junk food while imagining you’re a superhero sporting a six-pack.
What are some of the disadvantages then? The biggest problem with AR is the loss of privacy. AR uses GPS to place digital images in your real life, which means that your location is no longer private. In the case of Pokémon Go, UK charity NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has gone so far as to say that the game is “a gateway for paedophiles” and Daily Mail has asked if this is the world’s most dangerous game. There have been people getting into car accidents and others going to the hospital. There’s even been a teenager death – all caused by the Pokémon Go AR game. And this is just the beginning. With AR getting even better at transferring digital images onto reality and, thus, getting even more addictive, we’ll probably see many more disadvantages in the future.