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Augmented reality (AR) is a type of virtual reality (VR) that adds a digital layer to the real world. With AR, the user interacts with the real world, but in VR, they don’t. Instead, they’re immersed in a completely digital environment.

VR is usually used for gaming or entertainment, while AR has more practical applications. For example, if you are buying a spa, you can virtually place it at home and change out finishes etc to visualise it at home using your phone camera prior to purchase. It can also be used for design and marketing purposes or to provide information about the environment around them.

To create augmented reality content, you need three things: software, hardware and a team.

Augmented reality software can be used to design and view augmented reality content. Various software tools are available for this purpose, including ARKit from Apple, ARCore from Google and Vuforia from Qualcomm. Viewa, however, uses a unique web based AR software which works on three times as many smartphones as other AR solutions.

Hardware is necessary to capture and display augmented reality content. This includes devices like cameras and screens that can be used to view augmented reality content.

Finally, you need a team to create the augmented reality content. This includes designers who create the 3D models used in augmented reality, programmers who write the code to create the interactive elements of the content and testers who verify them before implementation.

Augmented reality is everywhere. You can find it in optical projection systems such as the one used in the Microsoft HoloLens, in monitors used for medical and dental training and in handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets. It’s even being used in cars to provide drivers with information about their surroundings.

Yes, for processing and projection, AR devices need cameras. The camera captures the environment and tracks movement so that the AR content can be accurately overlaid onto it. Without a camera, the AR content would not be able to interact accurately with the user’s surroundings.

The pros of augmented reality apps are that they can provide an enhanced view of the world, offer a more immersive experience and be used for instructional or entertainment purposes. Some cons of augmented reality are that it can be distracting, cause eyestrain and be used for less-than-honourable purposes.

Overall, augmented reality is a burgeoning technology with a lot of potential. It has already proven its usefulness in specific fields such as gaming and medicine, but there is still much room for growth in other industries.