Category: Augmented Reality Technology

A new company aims to transform video games into real-world experiences.

Semblance Augmented Reality is a company created by Mark Skwarek and the goal of the company is to free video games from a mere television experience and turn them into one that is physical, where a person can interact with an entire world of virtual characters, structures and objects in a real environment.

So far, Skwarek has managed to raise more than $30,000 in crowdfunding to launch Semblance.

Having raised over $30 thousand on Kickstarter, the group fundraising site, Skwarek is gearing up to release the first Semblance AR app for Android and iOS mobile phones. He recently demonstrated how the app works in New York City wearing Epson Moverio B200 glasses.

Although augmented reality (AR) is not a new concept, nor is the idea of combining AR with gaming, it is starting to become more mainstream due to an increase in popularity of wearable devices, such as smart glasses, smartwatches and fitness trackers. Furthermore, today, there is a wide range of mobile devices that are finally equipped with GPS tracking, camera technology and sensors that are strong enough to handle AR tech.

While AR tech can certainly improve upon a video gamer’s experience, use for this technology is also being explored in other areas where combining augmented reality with wearables could help solve practical problems hands-free. It is even showing promising results in the health sector.

According to Brian Ballard, CEO and founder of APX Labs, an AR software company, wearables will help empower deskless employees in the same way that mobile devices and computers have done for office workers. Wearable gadgets, like smart glasses, can provide workers with immediate access to information in real-time no matter where they are.

Augmented reality technology is not without its challenges.

According to Benjamin Arnold, a consumer tech analyst at the NPD Group, “The technology is here right now. It’s just implementing them in a product, showing consumers that it has a value and can do things better than they were doing before.”

However, one of the problems this tech faces is that internet connectivity and battery life of devices needs to be improved in order to make it efficient. However, Ballard believes that it will not be long before it becomes fully integrated into people’s lives. This may be particularly true for video gamers due to the success of augmented reality gaming apps like Skwarek’s.

Study shows that wearable devices are gaining traction among UK consumers

The United Kingdom may soon become a leading wearable technology market. According to a recent study from YouGov, the number of people with wearable devices is growing. These devices range from smartwatches, fitness bands, and head-mounted systems that offer people a chance to experience the world in a different way. While wearable devices are still somewhat rare in the commercial market, many new devices are expected to be launched within the coming year.

6% of UK population currently owns a wearable device of some kind

According to the study, the approximately 6% of the UK population — nearly 2.8 million people — currently have some sort of wearable device. Most of these devices are smartwatches and physical activity trackers. The study predicts that the number of people with these devices will double in 2015, when new devices are released into the UK market. One device, in particular, may account for much of this growth: The Apple Watch.

Apple Watch may find success in the UK market

Apple unveiled plans for its new wearable device last month. Apple Watch promises to be the next evolution in wearable technology, providing users with all the features of a smartphone in a wearable gadget. The device is slated to be launched next year and its quick adoption is expected among iOS fans. The exact features that the Apple Watch will launch with are not yet known, but there is already a significant degree of hype surrounding the gadget.

AR devices likely to attract many consumers

Augmented reality devices are also likely to become somewhat famous in the UK. These devices, many of which will be worn on the head, promise to change the way people see the world. Google Glass is, perhaps, the most well known and anticipated of these devices. The head-mounted system will leverage augmented reality technology for a variety of purposes, including social media and navigation. A few technology companies have plans to launch AR devices in the coming years, but Google Glass is expected to launch in 2015, ahead of its competition.