AR vs. VR: Which Is More Effective for Marketing Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are talked about a lot. Understanding the concepts can get confusing as the terms are used interchangeably, but each has its unique set of characteristics and applications. In this post, we’ll break down the difference between augmented and virtual reality, their unique marketing applications, and how consumers feel about them. Table of Contents What is augmented reality (AR)? What is virtual reality (VR)? What is the difference between AR and VR? Use Cases for AR and VR AR vs. VR: Which Is More Effective for Marketing What is augmented reality (AR)? Augmented reality (AR) layers virtual elements on top of a real-world scene, allowing users to exist in the space they’re physically in but benefit from the augmented elements in their experience. Pokémon GO is one of the most popular and notable examples of AR, where Pokémon characters are superimposed into a real-life setting, like someone's backyard or outside of their favorite restaurant. What is virtual reality (VR)? Virtual reality (VR) is any software that immerses users in a three-dimensional interactive virtual environment, usually using a VR sensory device that brings real-world actions into a virtual world. Many VR experiences are 360 degrees. It’s a computer-generated simulation, and each virtual reality world allows people to fully participate in the unique world. In addition, many VR experiences require headsets or sensory devices...

What Consumers Think About the Metaverse & What Brands Need to Know The term “metaverse” may have been coined back in 1992, but it could hold new and adventurous opportunities for both consumers and even brands that engage with them. The only problem is many of us aren’t too sure what the metaverse actually is. Who is using it? Why do they use it? Which of the seemingly infinite metaverses are worth including in your marketing strategy? And how can the metaverse help marketers navigate data privacy regulations? To get some clarity, we surveyed over 1,000 consumers in the U.S. to learn about their takes, preferences, and behaviors around today's biggest trends. In that survey, 8% of participants said they'd ever visited a metaverse. But that's not the full story. Keep reading to learn why the metaverse might not be a passing trend. What Consumers Think About the Metaverse The Metaverse is New to Many -- but Still Growing Today 33%, or one-third, of our total survey-takers don't quite get the concept of the metaverse. Still, 40% understand it and 30% think more brands should leverage it. While only a small percentage of people have stepped into the metaverse, half of those that have did so in the past three months. On top of that, these early adopters aren’t just popping in once to check it out - they’re actually invested in these virtual worlds. Of those who have ever used the metaverse: 64% own...

Everything Brands Need to Know About the Metaverse Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet and social media helped us connect with our coworkers, friends, and loved ones during times of extreme isolation. But, our web-based lifestyle wasn't perfect. While you could see and talk to people, interactions still felt distant and impersonal. And, despite having every delivery app at our fingertips, we still missed going outside, exploring the world, and experiencing life to its fullest. And, for a small -- but growing -- group of people, that's where the metaverse came in. Although metaverses are nothing new, we started hearing more buzz than ever about futuristic virtual reality worlds that could allegedly supplement or expand on our own. As more people began to dive deeper into online gaming, social media, and purchasing VR headsets and accessories, the opportunities of the metaverse gained even more intrigue. Then, in late of 2021, Mark Zuckerberg shocked the world when he announced the change of his company's name from Facebook to Meta, adding that it would represent a new evolution of the company's offerings. Soon after, Meta's first metaverse, Horizon Worlds was opened up to anyone with an Oculus or Meta headset. Almost immediately, fans began to refer to this as "the metaverse." But, there's more to the story of the metaverse, and a lot of things you'll need to know before even asking yourself, "Is investing in a trendy VR world right for my brand?" In this post, I'll walk you through what...

8 VR Startups to Keep an Eye On In 2021 Did you know that the virtual and augmented reality global revenue is expected to grow from over $13 billion this year to more than $67 billion by 2024? In fact, virtual reality startups are valued at more than $36 billion on paper. For marketers, virtual reality's surging popularity and ability to deeply engage people in immersive experiences and transport them to places they could only imagine going to makes it one of the most exciting emerging technologies in the industry. But branded VR experiences are still in its infancy. Most marketing teams don't know how to use the technology to its full potential. To help you learn how to effectively leverage VR, we decided to make a list of the top VR startups and showcase how they've been able to use the technology to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital and build successful businesses. If you want stay ahead of the VR curve in 2021 and beyond, check out these startups. 8 VR Startups to Keep an Eye On In 2021 1. Magic Leap Magic Leap, a company valued at over $6 billion, is an augmented reality platform focused on providing VR solutions to businesses. With its wearable spatial solutions, you can easily incorporate VR/AR into your day-to-day. For example, you can use the headset to meet with coworkers and colleagues remotely, collaborate, share content, and even visualize...