Okay, real talk. Before this class I had no idea what augmented reality actually meant. It’s one of those buzz terms thrown around the Internet a lot, but I just assumed it was some sort of immersive video game. I’ve never really loved video games, probably because I didn’t grow up playing them, so I wrongly assumed I could ignore AR. Not the case.

I found lots of AR examples, but wearable devices kept showing up over and over again. After reading Gary Shteyngart’s “Ok, Glass” I wanted to find other alternatives. (I had previously read the article when it came out this summer, but reading it a second time was much less thrilling and I ended up thinking “What even is the point of Glass aside from taking video?”)

I found this article profiling an alternative to Glass. Innovega’s iOptik utilizes contact lenses with regular eyeglasses. They believe their technology can be a viable permanent replacement for conventional lenses. Like other augmented realities, iOptik will provide users with gaming, movies, apps and driving functions.

Here’s a video explaining the product. My thoughts below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF7OvoHzL8I

Linked here.

• The first two examples (interactive media and enhanced care) would require further innovation from other industries. Overall, I think this is a major drawback to any AR, just getting people onboard. Especially the healthcare sector, where personal security is the issue.
• Likewise, I think the fitness/vital tracking is a major selling point. The FitBit and Nike Fuel Band are extremely popular.
• I actually laughed so hard at the actual footage. They’ve got a great vintage filter going on. Also, it raised the question about navigation. Is this voice activated?
• The ending. Yeah. Not great.

Benefits/Drawbacks

I don’t see any benefits from augmented realities. I battle my technology addiction everyday and I’m not interested in adding another device (or really a way of life) into my routine. AR’s market themselves as “like a phone, but different.” I’m cool with my phone. And maybe this is just vain, but I have no need to wear glasses or contacts and I want to keep it that way.

As well, always feel like I’m on information overload and my eyes can only handle so many hours of screen time a day. I also have trouble sleeping if I spend too much time on my laptop. Despite my constant connectivity, I try extremely hard to limit my virtual communication when I’m with other people. I can’t even imagine carrying on a conversation with someone who is also streaming a movie in their glasses.

I guess my benefits are really my drawbacks, but I also think we’re nowhere close to have this technology be expansive enough to become popular. Having a device with a few functions isn’t worth it.

Obviously AR is here to stay, so I’ll just have to suck it up. Hey, if society ends up being anything like the movie Her, I’m fine with that. It was a good movie.