Term of the Moment
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Definition: augmented reality
(1) An alteration made to an image or video. For example, adding a mustache to a person's face may be called augmented reality (AR). See Snap Camera and virtual background.
(2) Augmented reality (AR) is text, images or video superimposed onto the real world, which can be viewed on a TV or any display device (see examples below). In contrast, virtual reality (VR) requires a headset and is entirely immersive. See virtual reality, mixed reality, Windows Mixed Reality, smart glasses, Google Tango and flight simulator.
Augmented Reality - 1st and Ten
Olympic Swimming
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HoloLens Goggles
(2) Augmented reality (AR) is text, images or video superimposed onto the real world, which can be viewed on a TV or any display device (see examples below). In contrast, virtual reality (VR) requires a headset and is entirely immersive. See virtual reality, mixed reality, Windows Mixed Reality, smart glasses, Google Tango and flight simulator.
An indispensable feature in TV football is Sportvision's yellow first-down line, which looks as if it were actually painted on the field. (Image courtesy of Sportvision, Inc.)
Without the swimmers' names overlaid on the lanes, it becomes extremely difficult to follow the action. This image from the 2020 Olympics (held over to 2021) was taken from the TV screen.
This early Google Glass example shows the wearer being alerted and given the option to receive directions by foot or bus (see Google Glass and spatial computing glasses). (Images courtesy of Google Inc.)
The Microsoft HoloLens goggles enables workers to move around their environment while viewing objects created as 3D holograms (see Windows Mixed Reality). (Image courtesy of Microsoft Corporation.)