<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=332593&amp;fmt=gif">

The difference between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Gustavo Goncalves
Gustavo Goncalves

Mar 27, 2023

Do you know the difference between Augmented Reality and Virtual reality? Despite having similar names and sometimes confusing those who are starting out in this digital universe, the truth is that both have different functions. But, do you know what they are?

If your answer is “no”, we are here to help. Continue reading and find out how Virtual and Augmented Reality directly impact the digital market and how the combination of these technologies can add to your company.

What you will see in this post:

A good read!

What is Virtual Reality?

Far beyond a computer screen, Virtual Reality, also known as VR, has arrived to transform the online consumer experience. But after all, what is Virtual Reality?

With the use of special devices, such as glasses rift or virtual reality helmets, the new technology allows users to visualize a digital universe. With the right accessories, you can experience every moment as if you were actually in that space, which, despite being digital, resembles the real world.

The focus is on making the digital universe as realistic as possible so that you can experience sensations, carry out activities and interact with everything and everyone in that environment.

Even with the use of Virtual Reality, you can move objects, play and even walk through other scenarios. Can you notice how Virtual Reality is totally interactive? And that's the goal, to make each user have a more immersive and interactive experience with digital.

Virtual Reality Applications

When thinking about Virtual Reality applications, you probably have associated it with online games. Indeed, the world of games already uses technology to its advantage. But its application goes far beyond that.

The new tools are already being implemented in several sectors, mainly after the arrival of Metaverso. In the health sector, for example, virtual reality. It is used for physical therapy for people who have suffered an injury. In addition to immersing the patient in the recovery environment, the technology is used to encourage the patient to move.

When it comes to the digital technologies in education, Virtual Reality breaks down barriers and inserts students into a new universe of opportunities. It is possible, in addition to studying the vegetation of a place, to visualize it in practice through technological advances. Indeed, it would be an amazing experience, wouldn't it?

Ok, now that you understand Virtual Reality in depth, you must be wondering what is Augmented Reality. Did I get it right? And that's what we're going to talk about in the next topic. Continue reading and discover the main differences between both technologies.

Read too:

What is Augmented Reality?

Do you remember the fever that was the Pokémon Go game? One of the biggest releases in 2016, the game already featured one of the great technological trends: the Augmented Reality (AR).

In summary, Augmented Reality mixes elements of the real and digital universes. Basically, the technology allows the user to superimpose and visualize digital elements in a real environment.

In practice, all you have to do is point your cell phone's camera at the desired room and the 3D object will be superimposed on your scene.

Augmented Reality Applications

From education, Engineering, Digital Marketing and even in the health area, companies are increasingly investing in new tools to expand their opportunities in the digital market.

The result of this is that Virtual and Augmented Reality must move about $124.4 billion in 2023, as shown by the research done by Buy Actions. But, in fact, how has Augmented Reality been applied?

A practical example of this is Instagram's own filters. You know those effects where you point your camera at a room in the house and some digital element appears? Yes, this is Augmented Reality!

Another example is the Tok&Stok application, where you can use your cell phone to view how furniture or decoration items will stay in your living room even before you buy it.

In the fashion business, Renner and C&A stores took the lead and innovated using Augmented Reality to build virtual storefronts. Promoting convenience and flexibility, companies allow their customers to have access to products from the comfort of their homes.

Augmented Reality VS Virtual Reality: what are the main differences?

Now that you've come this far, I imagine you've already noticed that, in practice, the two technologies are quite different, isn't it? If, on the one hand, Virtual Reality needs glasses or helmets, on the other hand, Augmented Reality only needs a cell phone.

But this is not the only distinction between new technologies. In fact, the main difference is in your objective.

While Virtual Reality builds its own 100% digital and independent world, Augmented Reality does not create a new environment, on the contrary, it uses the real world to include only virtual objects.

What are the benefits of Virtual and Augmented Reality for your company?

When it comes to the digital service, it is clear that investing in new technologies is always a great differential for companies. But when it comes to VR and AR, its benefits go much further.

Among the numerous advantages that technological advances can add to your company, some of them are directly linked to the customer experience and can contribute to your strategy, such as:

  • Optimizes the consumer experience;
  • Encourages engagement;
  • Drives more immersive marketing strategies;
  • Strengthens the presence of your brand in the digital environment.

Below, we will detail each of these benefits and present how they can actually help your brand in the digital market.

Optimizes the consumer experience!

By uniting both worlds, Augmented and Virtual Reality can transform the customer experience, making their journey better and more dynamic.

With VR, consumers can visit virtual spaces and close a deal 100% online. With AR, it is possible to view the desired item without even having to go to the store.

Encourage engagement!

With consumers increasingly connected to the virtual environment, implementing the technological trends can be a way to drive customer engagement and engagement with your brand.

Through the new tools, companies have the chance to promote a more immersive contact between the consumer and their services, thus increasing the public's interest and interaction with their product.

Drive more immersive marketing strategies!

When the subject is Marketing Digital, the news digital technologies open up a range of possibilities for strategies in the virtual universe.

From immersive campaigns, 360° videos or even the creation of the application itself, the use of VR or AR associated with good Digital Marketing practices, can transform your results.

As pointed out by Deloitte, using the new tools can increase the conversion rate by around 94%.

Strengthen the presence of your brand in the digital environment!

Last but not least, betting on new tools can be a great way to strengthen your image in the virtual universe or even include it in the digital market, if you're just starting out.

Through technological advances, you can stand out from competitors, reach a new online audience, and offer an innovative and differentiated service to your consumers.

And since we are talking about Virtual Reality, we have an extra tip for you, our post: Possible new markets that will emerge in virtual reality. Find out how the new tool expands digital opportunities and how to benefit from technological advances.

Discover the new possibilities in the digital market!

Join us!

Did you like this content? Share it!

Technologies we use

The world changes all the time and technology is no different! Here at Mkt4Edu, technology is in our DNA, we work with many different softwares to make the whole process of automation and artificial intelligence work more efficiently and achieve more results.

Here, new softwares are tested all the time. Modern tools and new functionalities are tested all the time, there were already more than 200 tests so you can have the best result in your institution.


From customer acquisition to retention: Mkt4edu can make the difference in your marketing operation.

captacao_leads

Increase your leads’ capture

retencao_clientes

Improve your customers’ retention

reducao_custos

Save conversion costs