[Editorship is welcome.]
About
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of an interactive 3D environment, which is either realistic or imaginary. Augmented Reality (AR) is a live view of the real world with computer generated images, sound and other data. Both have been used in modern technology, especially in gaming, and has been a widely regarded topic on the internet.
History
Both virtual and augmented reality started around the 1900’s, used for simulations, science and other government projects. One of the first wearable computers that use augmented reality is “EyeTap”, created by Steve Mann in 1980.[1] In the 1990’s, Sega announced “Sega VR” and Nintendo released “Virtual Boy”. Both of these were one of the first commercial consoles focusing on virtual reality, yet both had hazardous health effects and commercial failures.[2]
Left to right: EyeTap, Sega VR and Virtual Boy
In 2013, Google announced Google Glass (similar to EyeTap), an augmented reality head-mounted display unit. In 2015, Microsoft announced “Windows Holographic” and “HoloLens”, an augmented reality headset that uses sensors and a processing unit to project “holograms” in the real world.
In 2012, Oculus VR debuted the first prototype of Oculus Rift at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. In 2014, Sony revealed “Project Morpheus” VR Headset for the PS4, and Google announced “Google Cardboard” do-it-yourself (DIY) stereoscopic viewer, described as “virtual reality in a simple, fun, and affordable way”.[3]
On March 2015, HTC partnered with Valve and announced the “HTC Re Vive” virtual reality headset, powered by SteamVR, meaning that games compatible with Vive will be also available on Steam.[4]
Online Presence
On October 27, 2009 Urban Dictionary user Guido1 defined “virtual reality” as a place gamers would rather live in,[5] and user darkfable defined “augmented reality” as “blurring the line between what’s real and what’s computer generated”.[6] In 2009, the virtual reality subreddit was created with around 13,000 subscribers,[7] and the augmented reality subreddit was made in 2010 with approximately 2,000 subscribers as of May 2015.[8] There has been other subreddits on other VR/AR related topics and devices as well.
There have been numerous parodies as well about VR and AR devices. On April 19, 2013, comedy duo Smosh uploaded a parody of Google Glass on YouTube with over 16 million views. On March 29, 2014, Marc Tschudi uploaded a parody of Oculus Rift after Oculus VR was bought by Facebook.
On April 5th, 2012, a post by Redditor BabyStevie reached the front page of the /r/AdviceAnimals subreddit titled “Why Google’s project “Glass” will be successful”, which featured a design photo for the project accompanied by the caption “No one has a clue / that I’m watching porn right now.”[9] On March 2015, a post by Redditor YaMB titled “The only practical use for virtual reality” had around 3,200 upvotes, which features a picture of man who is about to have sexual intercourse with a woman while viewing “Cory in the House” with the Oculus Rift.[10]
Related Media
Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is a virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) being developed by Oculus VR. After a protype debuted at 2012’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, the first batch of developer systems were initially funded through a Kickstarter campaign.
Google Glass
Project Glass is a research and development program by the multinational Internet and software corporation Google, which aims to build an augmented reality head-mounted display unit. A promotional video released by Google in April of 2012 has inspired several parody videos and image macros.
Search Interest
External Referneces
[1]Wikipedia – Augmented reality
[2]Wikipedia – Virtual reality
[3]Google – Google Cardboard
[5]Urban Dictionary – virtual reality
[6]Urban Dictionary – Augmented reality
[7]Reddit – Virtual Reality and the Metaverse
[8]Reddit – Augmented Reality
[9]Reddit – Why Google’s project “Glass” will be successful. : AdviceAnimals
[10]Reddit – The only practical use for virtual reality : funny