THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMMERSIVE TECH
The different types of Immersive Technology are 360, VR, AR, MR, and XR.
360
360 is the very basic and probably the most familiar immersive technology out there.
These days, 360 content can be seen practically anywhere online – especially on YouTube and Facebook.
Most modern smartphones will also enable you to create a 360 image by using the “photo sphere” feature.
Similarly, the cost of the equipment to create 360 images has also gone down considerably.
VR
Virtual Reality is a fully immersive experience where a user leaves the real world behind to enter fully the digital world via VR headsets.
It allows users to experience real and imagined worlds as if they are really there.
Popular examples of VR are Meta Quest 2, HTC Vive, Playstation VR, etc…
AR
Augmented Reality is an experience where virtual objects are superimposed onto the real-world environment via smartphones, tablets, heads-up displays, or AR glasses.
In other words, digital images are presented on top of the real world.
For example, Snapchat filters or the game Pokemon Go.
MR
Mixed Reality is a mix of VR and AR.
It is a step beyond augmented reality where the virtual objects placed in the real world can be interacted with and respond as if they were real objects.
However, unlike VR, the user is not shut out from the rest of the world.
Example, Microsoft Hololens.
XR
Extended Reality is the term used to describe the full spectrum of Immersive Technology (VR, AR, MR).
Extended Reality is an umbrella term that covers all of the various technologies that enhance our senses, whether they are providing additional information about the actual world or creating a totally fictitious simulated worlds to experience.
