THE PURSUIT OF AUGMENTED REALITYBY CHRIS BEAMAN

The anticipation is building for augmented reality in our daily lives. With every month

that passes, it seems as though we are closer and closer to utilizing what used to be just an elusive idea in science fiction films. Now, big players like Google, Facebook, and Sony are all investing in virtual reality, which means

this race is only getting started.

Most recently, Google invested $542 million in Magic Leap, a startup with ambitions to incorporate virtual reality

interfaces to your everyday phone and computer screens.

Founded on the idea that, “Computing and technology should bend to us, to our needs, to our humanity, and to our experience. People should be first. Technology should serve us.

Computing should match human experience, it should respect human physiology.”

The investment indicates a significant trend among the biggest names in tech. Facebook, Sony, and Samsung are all

opening the door to virtual-reality technology. With the emerging excitement and demand of wearable tech, it makes

sense that Google is walking through the door as well. Phones, computers, gaming, education, film and just your

average day to day life may greatly benefit from this developing technology.

The company has designed a head-mounted device that functions like glasses. With the

technology engaged, it can display computer-generated images in the wearer's field of vision.

Anyone familiar with Google and their products can see where this may be applicable. Google also

develops a head-mounted product referred to as Google Glass, a device which displays information from your smartphone to a small screen fixed to a

wearable metal frame, or “glasses.”

The Magic Leap team is also helping to create buzz.

Graeme Devine, computer game designer and programmer.

Weta Workshop, the special effects team behind movies like "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit.”

Brian Wallace, well-known tech marketer.

One thing is certain, the mysterious startup clearly has the proper support, and the potential appears to be, in their words,

magical.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHRIS BEAMAN, CHECK OUT HIS BLOG AT

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