Is this year gonna be the year for AR This Year is going to be the year of Augmented reality. Here at the end of 2012, weâ  re already seeing a rapid take up of AR tech. Portable devices such as tablets, mini consoles and smart phones are seemingly tailor-made for this new darling of the Information era. So whatâ  s AR? Well, AR (or â  augmented realityâ  to its friends), is basically the practise of implementing computer created images and/or information onto real life images (at least the kind of Augmented reality we are talking here is, anyhow, itâ  s an open-ended term, so post your complaints within the comments section, please). AR can be functional to paper supplements (in order that when the reports or pictures are watched through a smartphone app they spring to life and offer supplementary content), street corners (like the app which can mention all important information pertaining to a restaurant, including reviews, menus and special offers, just by holding your smart phone in the direction of the eatery itself) and also the night sky (yes, some AR apps will in fact offer scientific data and Hubble telescope information on heavenly bodies and constellations as you look at them on your phone). Augmented reality is coming together in a big way and make no mistake about it. Google Glass, a development introduced by Google X Lab earlier this year, is one real example. Taking the form of a trendy pair of spectacles, Glass users will be able to walk down the street and access any information they see fit as they are doing so. Theyâ  ll even manage to film their every day events, or take snapshots of everything as they occur. Reality is going to be re-shaped in real time by the glasses; you are able to even use them to make video calls to loved ones. Google Glass is going to be made available to developers early next year and, by the start of 2014, will grow to be commercially available, together with dozens of other exciting products of the ilk. ARâ  s impact on home entertainment (especially games) may also be felt, but there's also way more â  grown upâ  uses for this technology in the pipeline. Variations of Augmented reality are already being used to train troopers, educate would-be doctors and instruct firefighters in digital burning buildings. For those who do not have the cash for a smart phone, Google Glass or the rest weâ  ve talked about, you will see the results of AR on television sports casting (check out the actual-time analysis overlaid on recent NFL games) and on store window marketing (naughty high street chain Anne Summers pioneered a very memorable one earlier this year).
In 2013, with an abundance of funds coming in from Augmented reality apps, games and devices, we can expect a rapid enhancement of this technology. This means that by the top of next year, Augmented reality could be an unavoidable fact of modern life. We expect Augmented reality to be a significant selling point next year, with businesses offering an increased amount of AR-ready mini games as accessories on various devices and more Augmented reality apps being built than at any time. If youâ  re in training as a general practitioner, a soldier, a policemen or a fireman, the odds
are youâ  ll come across AR (if you havenâ  t already) in 2013. Certainly, this will not substitute the experience of dashing into a burning building, going into battle or performing intricate surgery (and it isnâ  t trying to), but the chance is there for more detailed and meticulous training for specialists in these areas. Furthermore, it will not be long before CEOâ  s and managers are holding Augmented reality-infused meetings, during which the attendees can get into relevant information in real time, which will definitely beat a Powerpoint presentation any day! In 2013, anticipate advertisements, paper supplements and smartphone games to include an mounting element of Augmented reality capability. Augmented reality is taking the fast track into our lives and 2013 is going to be a pivotal time for this. Next year will be the most technologically progressive time in mankindâ  s story thus far and, if that seems like an easy thing to say, consider the scale of this proclamation. Like the Net before it, AR is about to make a big splash in our lives and 2013 is going to be the largest ripple so far. Simply, we canâ  t wait for it...