A further examination of the augmented reality market provides indicators for when the technology will hit the market. Unsurprisingly, the military is a follower of head up displays and DARPA has contracted with Innovega for 'AR' contact lenses to be available by 2014. Innovega is viewed as providing the tools for enhancing the information available in training and on the battlefield, allowing soldiers to focus on objects both near and far to the viewer.
The marketplace is being worked upon. The aim is to achieve a seamless marriage of data and reality with constant updates, tagging and manipulation serving the needs of the fyborg. Such a transition, with the attendant wearables, remains some years away:
Today we update our status, favorite a tweet, check into a place we like and really are out to set or make any preferences that make our life more enjoyable. The day of tomorrow will be when our experiences will be more embedded into the real world rather than in this digital life form as they are now.
Why an augmented reality? Our usage of the Internet and these apps will reach a breaking point, and before or right when that happens, we will want all of these technology to be in the background — or at least these major technology companies will want augmented reality to truly be a reality.
Until we see these come to market, we remain focused on tablets, smartphones, apps and the current digital paradigm.
