Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are the Future

Remember a couple of summers ago when Pokémon Go was all the rage? The hype quickly fizzled out even though Niantic, the software development company responsible for the technology, was on to something. Not sure what augmented reality and virtual reality mean to the future of marketing or what these emerging technologies actually are? Not a problem. We’ll go over AR and VR, their pros and cons, and how one, and not the other will have the most impact on marketing campaigns for the foreseeable future.

AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)

man playing pokemon goWhen virtual objects are placed into the “real world” such as Pokémon Go, a game that utilizes a smartphone’s GPS and camera to place cartoon characters near actual, physical locations, on a virtual map that users can go, you get what is referred to as augmented reality or AR for short. AR enhances or alters the physical world around us, and not just with smartphones. There are other means of utilizing AR, such as car windshields that display road layouts, navigation directions, and even a speedometer.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

person wearing virtual reality headsetOftentimes, augmented reality and virtual reality are mistaken for one another. Yes, they both alter our physical world in some shape or form, but VR takes it a step further, and immerses the user into a completely virtual setting. VR takes us to another place and cuts us off from reality, using virtual reality headsets. Such as goggles or sealed off visors for watching short films or gaming with a controller that tracks hand movement for manipulating virtual objects. Notable manufacturers of VR technology are Oculus Rift, Samsung Odyssey, and HTC Vive. Higher end models like the Oculus Rift or PlayStation VR, operate from PCs and gaming consoles respectively. They include features such as 90Hz refresh rates and over 200 million pixels per second.

HOW AR AND VR TIE INTO MARKETING

In 2017, HubSpot released a report known as State of Inbound, which tracks marketing trends and data, and stated that video is the number one channel for content delivery. So how do AR and VR fit into all of this? Just look at what French based beauty and makeup supplier, Sephora, is doing with AR right now.sephora_virtual_artist_tutorials The company has a virtual make-up artist app available, that lets users see how a certain lipstick will look, without having to physically apply it. The app scans the user’s face through a smartphone camera, and once the user finds a product they like, they can instantly click to purchase.

 

TRAVEL AND REAL ESTATE REIMAGINED

vrpostcards-marriot-samsung-travel-hotel

Virtual reality also has great potential in marketing, mainly in the tourism and real estate industry. Brochures or other print ads an only do so much to capture an audience’s attention, and online ads must deal with the ever-increasing use of ad blockers on web browsers. But VR takes users to another place that is free of distractions. It’s only recently been made widely available to the public, and does not make users feel they are being force fed advertisements. VR, just like AR, can also take the hassle out of physically shopping around for the right product.

IN YOUR HOME

matterport-core-vr-headsetMatterport, a real-estate firm based in the U.S., offers 3D virtual tours, so potential buyers don’t have to see the home at the actual location. The home-improvement industry has also begun to incorporate VR technologies in marketing. Lowe’s offers Holoroom, a home improvement design and training tool that allows customers to try out do-it-yourself projects in a virtual space. This makes customers feel confident in buying the right products. Similarly a person using Holoroom is more likely to retain the information compared to watching a conventional video.

SO, WHO’S IN THE LEAD?

We’ve gone over some examples of how AR and VR can be successfully implemented into marketing campaigns. AR looks to be the clear winner for the near future. Why? Well, it’s more cost effective, and the foundation is already there. Smartphones are everywhere now, therefore that’s all that’s needed for AR to work in most cases. virtual-reality-online-shoppingGoing back to the Sephora virtual makeup app, there is a clear call-to-action. The consumer can click on a product right away, and make the purchase. VR has the advantage over other forms of advertising because there is more interaction from the user. Yet, there isn’t a way to get that user to pause from that interaction, and respond to a call-to-action like clicking or making a purchase.

AR WILL PREVAIL

man-holding-ipad-with-virtual-reality-app

Both augmented reality and virtual reality show a lot of promise for the future. However, it’s evident that AR will have the most impact sooner. Many of today’s smartphone cameras have the capability, which means AR technology will have an immediate impact versus VR. Right now, VR headsets are too costly and may limit the user’s mobility to a confined space. With AR technology, people can be directed to nearby brick and mortar locations or easily be directed to click on something and make a purchase.

Have ideas for how you can use this technology to reach your customers? Let us know and we can help launch your brand in to the future!

ABOUT CATMEDIA

CATMEDIA is an award-winning Inc. 500 company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1997, the company specializes in advertising, creative services, media production, program management, training, and human resource management. As a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), CATMEDIA provides world-class customer service and innovative solutions to government and commercial clients. Current CATMEDIA clients include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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