Here’s the Most Exciting Technology You’ll Ever Encounter
Christopher Mims says augmented reality could transform how we interact with computers ENLARGE Augmented reality is exemplified by a wide variety of new technologies such as Google Glass. This is the story of the most exciting technology you’re ever likely to encounter, which could transform how we interact with computers in the 21st century. That is a big claim. But I’ll bet that five, 10, 20 years from now, I’ll be able to point to this column and say, “I told you so.” I’m talking about augmented reality, or AR. It’s often misunderstood or mischaracterized, and has been overshadowed by its cousin, virtual reality. Moreover, the best-known example of AR, Google Glass, has largely been a failure so far. To understand AR, imagine a display that sits, not on your desk or in your hand, but in front of your eyes. Today, these displays are unwieldy, ranging from bulkier versions of safety glasses to something akin to a bicycle helmet. They...