Virtual reality and augmented reality are both technologies that are really gaining momentum in the modern world of technology. You can currently find examples of both of these technologies in a host of apps you can download on your phone. Currently, these features are mostly being used in various games, but it is expected that they will soon expand to other areas of our lives.

So, what is the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality? Immersion. Virtual reality blocks out the world around you and replaces it with a digital environment. On the other hand, augmented reality incorporates digital images or information into your real environment. An example of this would be the Pokemon GO app in which you will see a Pokemon appear on your desk or in the park. In essence, it overlays digital items over your real environment.

It is quite possible that we will begin seeing virtual and augmented reality technologies incorporated into our daily and professional tasks soon. Google and Apple have both been exploring opportunities to create wearable technology that will make use of augmented reality. An example of this would be a pair of glasses that could tell you information about a place or item when you look at it. Meanwhile, virtual reality is being used in the medical field, to train employees, and even help with architectural designs.

VR and AR technologies are only going to become more widespread and open a world of interesting possibilities. Virtual reality headsets are actually extremely affordable with some pairs being a cheap as under $20. If you haven’t had any experience with VR or AR, there are many apps on the App Store and Google Play Store that you can download for free and try out!