ARSmartGlassesandtheEvolutionofMobileTechnology

This article was first published on forbes.com as part of Alexander El-Meligis' membership in the Forbes Technology Council - an exclusive community for top-tier CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives.

Throughout history, our relationship with technology has evolved. From primitive tools to Artificial Intelligence, every innovation has shaped our journey. The Walkman revolutionized personal entertainment, and Motorola's DynaTAC 8000X ushered in the era of mobile communication in 1973. Today, the smartphone is the gateway to the digital world. The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, which is transitioning into virtual transformation. XR or Smart Glasses can combine physical and digital experiences and therefore have the potential to replace the smartphone in a more virtualized world.

VR Headsets: A Significant Milestone

Immersive technology began with VR, an idea that emerged in the 1950s and gained significance in the 1980s. In the meantime, technology companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta entered the arena and made significant strides.

The year 2010 marked a turning point with the introduction of the Oculus Rift by Palmer Luckey. His presentation at the E3 video game expo in 2012 was revolutionary, offering an impressive 90-degree field of view. By 2018, VR technology had significantly advanced, with 4.42 million devices in circulation. By 2023, this number had risen to 21.76 million, demonstrating its widespread adoption.

VR has significantly contributed to the acceptance and development of Smart Glasses, and both technologies benefit from each other. The latest version of the Meta VR headset, the Quest 3, will also include a much better AR mode through an improved passthrough mode.

Augmented Reality: The Rising Star

The digital age has undoubtedly reshaped our interaction with the world, and Augmented Reality (AR) is a standout example of this transformation. AR acts as a refined version of VR, elegantly merging our tangible environment with the digital universe to create captivating experiences.

In 2011, Snapchat was born in Evan Spiegel's living room under the name "Picaboo." What began as a fun, ephemeral messaging app made a significant leap with the $150 million acquisition of a Ukrainian startup called Looksery. This acquisition led to the famous AR feature - lenses. These innovative filters, combining 3D graphics with camera images, were an instant success and established Snapchat as a pioneer in the AR field.

Meanwhile, Facebook did not want to be left behind. While their early efforts resembled Snapchat, they soon forged their own path. After the setback with Slingshot, a masterpiece followed: Stories on platforms like Instagram. But the introduction of Camera Effects, which evolved into Spark AR, truly marked their AR territory. It democratized AR, allowing anyone to create their own immersive experiences. Brands quickly saw the platform's potential and leveraged it for fresh, engaging campaigns.

Niantic Labs, a Google spin-off, aimed to expand our world. While Field Trip offered AR-guided tours, Pokémon Go became legendary. By blending reality with digital Pokémon, it attracted 45 million peak players and showcased the allure of AR.

Today, AR/VR revenues reached an impressive $942 million in 2022, and forecasts predict an increase to 1.4 billion AR device users by 2023. These figures not only show a booming industry but also tell the story of a visionary technology that has evolved from a concept to an everyday tool.

Merging Realities: AR Glasses and Emerging Technologies

The world of AR is characterized by its diversity. From AR glasses that utilize smartphone capabilities to standalone wireless AR devices connected over 5G networks, we are witnessing a growing array of tools that can redefine our digital interactions. Here are some examples.

Workplace: Remote training with AR, virtual meetings, maintenance, and management of machines via digital twins of physical machines.

User Experience: Shopping in virtual stores, virtual try-ons, personalized digital fashion, and immersive gaming experiences integrated into the physical environment.

Education and Training: Virtual classrooms and Augmented Reality-based training offering practical experiences.

Healthcare: Virtual consultations, AR-based surgeries, or medical training.

Real Estate: Virtual property tours, AR-based visualizations of properties.

Entertainment: Movies or shows where the viewer can be part of the experience, concerts in virtual arenas, etc.

The buzz around Apple's Vision Pro serves as evidence of this accelerated progress. As Apple's debut in the realm of AR glasses, it is speculated to be more than just a novel gadget but a precursor to a potential shift where AR devices might one day surpass smartphones. This is largely due to the immersive potential they offer and the reshaping of our interactions with digital data.

However, the merging of AR and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the truly exciting part. One can envision AR glasses that not only project data but understand the environment, underlying context, and even the user's behavior and intent in detail. With the analytical power of AI, AR transforms from a purely visual tool into a profound experience. Imagine a shopping tour where the device not only suggests products based on your past but also anticipates your future desires.

How to Prepare for Smart Glasses

AR, VR, and Mixed Reality are poised to usher in a new era, with Smart Glasses potentially surpassing smartphones. As we stand on the brink of this virtual transformation, every industry will feel its impact. To navigate this promising horizon, companies might consider the following aspects.

Strategic Vision: Develop a clear vision and strategy for integrating AR, VR, and Mixed Reality into your operations and offerings.

Technical Infrastructure: Ensure the necessary hardware, software, and network capabilities are in place to support Augmented and Virtual Technologies.

Collaboration: Collaborate with AR and VR experts, consultants, and companies.

Adaptation to Digital Products: Consider how your product line might evolve, e.g., with the emergence of digital fashion.

Risk Assessment: Carefully examine potential risks, especially in areas like privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations.

Cultural Readiness: Foster a corporate culture that can adapt and be open to innovation and change.

Skill Development: Invest in training programs to upskill employees in AR and VR technologies.

We stand on the brink of a seamless integration of digital and real experiences, with Smart Glasses likely being a cornerstone. They are the shining gateway to a future where the boundaries between digital and tangible blur, unlocking infinite possibilities and enriching our shared human experience.