The Metaverse is calling...
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Immersive experiences created by Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are becoming less of a hobbyist pastime and more mainstream

TECHNOBABBLE

With talk of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, and even Augmented Virtuality, Mixed Reality and Extended Reality, it’s easy to become bamboozled by jargon

Mixed Reality (MR), aka 
Extended Reality (XR)

1. Reality 2. Augmented 3. Augmented 4. Virtual Reality (AR) Virtuality (AV) Reality (VR)

Immersive reality is a scale, going from Reality at one end to Virtual Reality at the other – it is known as the Reality-Virtuality Continuum

ALTERNATE REALITIES 

1 REALITY
Our perceived view of real world around us – what you’ve been seeing all your life

2 AUGMENTED REALITY
Computer-generated virtual elements combine with real world ones to offer additional information
Example: Graphic overlays during televised football match highlight key moments

See also: HoloLens 2 Lays interactive 3D graphics over real world objects via stereoscopic headset

Metaverse: Hypothetical 3D virtual Internet accessed by way of virtual and mixed reality devices

3 AUGMENTED VIRTUALITY
Like AR, virtual elements combine with real world, but allow user to manipulate them
Example: IKEA Place app allows user to position virtual furniture in own home using tablet

4 VIRTUAL REALITY
Stereoscopic headset convinces wearer they occupy 3D computer- generated space (cannot see reality)
Example: All-in-one Oculus Quest 2 headset places user into VR without need of PC or console

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Sources: TNW, PCMag, Simplicable, Edge (368), Oculus, Microsoft Pictures: Sound On/Kathrine (Pexels), Microsoft, Sky, IKEA, CRYTEK © GRAPHIC NEWS