The Rise of Pokémon Go and Augmented Reality
Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm, with over 20 million lively users in only two weeks. It has turn out to be the most important game within the United States, surpassing Twitter in each day users and even surpassing the time spent on Facebook. The game has gotten children and young adults to go outside and socialize, with many players gathering in public spaces like New York’s Central Park to catch Pokémon. Businesses are also making the most of the sport’s popularity, organising "lure modules" to draw customers.
A Brief History of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) shouldn’t be a brand new concept. It was first introduced by Tom Caudell, a Boeing researcher, in 1990. Caudell coined the term "AR" to explain an electronic system that guides staff to put in electrical cables and fuselage in aircraft. The concept of AR is to create a view of the real-world environment whose elements are overlaid with computer-generated images. However, despite its intriguing concept, AR remained a technology curiosity with few tangible advantages for a few years.
Early Applications of Augmented Reality
In the early days of AR, most research was conducted by independent hobbyists at universities. One of the closest applications to a great tool was Volkswagen’s iPad app, which projects visual labels and directions in real-time to guide mechanic operators to repair automotive parts. However, these early applications were mainly focused on industrial uses and weren’t accessible to most people.
The Failure of Google Glass
In 2013, Google launched Google Glass, a tool that was purported to bring AR to the masses. However, the device was priced at a premium of $1,500 and was met with disappointment from consumers. The device was expected to offer information on the whole lot, from Twitter to Facebook to Wikipedia, nevertheless it did not deliver. The public was not ready for a tool that invaded their privacy, and lots of establishments banned its use.
The Success of Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go, however, has been an enormous success. Despite its easy graphics and user interface, the sport has turn out to be a cultural phenomenon. The game uses a phone’s GPS to detect the player’s location and make digital monsters appear around them. The game is free, and its simplicity has made it accessible to a big selection of players.
Disruption and Social Evolution
Disruption shouldn’t be nearly technological improvement, but in addition about social evolution. The rise of rock and roll music within the Fifties, for instance, was a distinctly American phenomenon that spurred manufacturers to enhance product quality and ushered within the era of transistor electronics. Similarly, Pokémon Go has modified societal expectations of what information is presented and the way it’s accessed.
The Future of Augmented Reality
The success of Pokémon Go has shown that AR could be a powerful tool for entertainment and education. Soon, visitors to museums and galleries will expect to find a way to access more details about exhibits and artworks using their phones. Shoppers will expect to find a way to try on clothes virtually, and students will expect to find a way to access interactive learning materials. The shift in public expectation will drive corporations to take a position in AR, and it can be the teenagers and young adults who will probably be on the forefront of this revolution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rise of Pokémon Go has shown that AR could be a powerful tool for entertainment, education, and social interaction. The game’s success has modified societal expectations of what information is presented and the way it’s accessed. As the technology improves and becomes more accessible, we are able to expect to see more progressive applications of AR in various industries. The way forward for AR is exciting, and it can be the teenagers and young adults who will probably be driving this revolution. As author and essayist William Gibson said, "The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet."
