Technologies to Watch in 2017: Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is gaining traction and becoming a market reality—marketers are stepping up their use of the technology and consumer acceptance is increasing. Samsung went all out during the 2016 holiday season, pitching its Gear VR as the hot gift to give. Google and Facebook have made significant leaps to transform the perception of augmented reality, effectively shifting it from a hokey 90s trend to an exciting new environment. Meanwhile, widespread consumer acceptance of Pokémon Go was the watershed moment that AR had long needed. Today’s advertisers are seeking techniques to effectively blend print with AR to deliver an engaging customer experience. Due to its ever-increasing popularity, AR is clearly a technology that print service providers need to understand.

Although mobile is still going strong, many analysts believe that 2017 will be the year during which virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality become industry standards. In an April 2015 report, Digi-Capital estimated that the AR industry will be valued at about $120 billion by 2020.

Augmented/Virtual Reality Adoption Rates

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About Barb Pellow

A digital printing and publishing pioneer, marketing expert and Group Director at InfoTrends, Barbara Pellow helps companies develop multi-media strategies that ride the information wave. Barb brings the knowledge and skills to help companies expand and grow business opportunity.

Please offer your feedback to Barb. She can be reached at [email protected].

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