For those keeping tabs on the tech space, augmented reality is a pretty common concept. It has been in development for several years now and several top tech companies have even launched products to leverage the technology.

But for those who don't know squat about what augmented reality (AR) is, let me explain. In the most simple words, it is the overlaying of digital information onto the real world. So, in essence, the real life environment becomes your smartphone/laptop screen.

To visualise it better, think of any science fiction movie that you may have watched where the information or other visual objects are rendered right in the field of the view of a person. The person can then interact with that information/icons/objects etc.

AR is being touted as the next step of personal computing which will even replace smartphones and computers by making the digital world more intimate and providing a blended experience between reality and the digital world. But to access AR, we would most likely have to use AR glasses or some form of smart contact lenses.

Would You Replace Your Smartphone?

Think of the current situation. Whenever we need to listen to music, use a service, browse the internet, watch a video or any number of other things, we take out our smartphones from our pockets, do the needful and then put them back.

So, the digital world (and its window - the smartphone) is there when you need it and it goes away when you don't. Now, think of the future situation where you're wearing AR glasses or contact lenses all the time. The digital world is always right there.

One could say that we could remove the glasses and wear them back as per our needs but I think this wouldn't be that convenient as your smartphone. Think of the user experience in this case. It's just more cumbersome than your smartphone. The glasses would get dirty all the time which would directly affect your AR experience.

Next up is gestures. Right now we type and tap on our smartphones and nobody thinks twice. Imagine using an AR glasses and waving your hands in the air. From your perspective, you are just interacting with the digital elements in your field of view, but from other people's perspective, you are randomly waving your hands in a haphazard manner.

So, do I think AR glasses will replace our smartphones and computers? No. Not completely at least. We may make use of them in our homes or for work where they provide a superior experience, say gaming for example or at hospitals when examining the internals of a patient. It will be cool to see though how this technology takes shape and shapes our world in return.


Image Credits: Wikitude under CC BY-SA 2.0