XR Demystified: Separating Facts from Fiction in 2024

XR isn't just for gaming. It's revolutionizing heavy industry, guiding laser welders in manufacturing and measuring pipes in shipyards.

#1about 6 minutes

Understanding the confusing terminology of extended reality

The umbrella term XR (extended reality) simplifies the landscape by encompassing both augmented reality (AR), which enhances the real world, and virtual reality (VR), which creates fully immersive artificial worlds.

#2about 5 minutes

A historical overview of early modern XR devices

The modern XR timeline began with the hype of Google Glass, followed by foundational devices like the Oculus Rift, the breakthrough Microsoft HoloLens, and the popular PlayStation VR.

#3about 5 minutes

The rise of mobile AR and inside-out tracking

A major shift in XR occurred with inside-out tracking from Windows Mixed Reality headsets and the launch of mobile AR frameworks like Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore.

#4about 7 minutes

The era of standalone VR and smart glasses

Meta dominated the consumer market with the cable-free Oculus Quest series, while also experimenting with smart glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta collaboration.

#5about 5 minutes

Apple Vision Pro and the current device landscape

The release of the expensive Apple Vision Pro generated significant hype, and current recommendations for developers include Meta Quest 3 for VR, Magic Leap 2 for industrial AR, and iPhone Pro for mobile AR.

#6about 3 minutes

Debunking common misconceptions about XR technology

Contrary to popular belief, XR is not just for gaming, as shown by industrial applications in shipyards, and modern development techniques have significantly reduced issues like motion sickness.