Here are the biggest virtual, augmented, and mixed reality trends in 2022

Augmented reality (AR), (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are all referred to as extended reality (XR) (MR). In its most basic form, VR entails donning a headset to enter a completely immersive, digital 3D world; AR entails overlaying computer images over the actual world with a phone or glasses, and MR entails combining the two technologies.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the digitization of our lives has increased dramatically, resulting in a surge in interest and invention in virtual reality and virtual worlds. So, here's a glance at some of the important themes at play and how they'll continue to affect our lives in 2022 and beyond:

XR and the Metaverse

The metaverse, also known as Web 3.0, is a notion that's generating a lot of buzzes right now, as evidenced by Facebook's recent rebranding to Meta. In 2022, this is likely to be the situation. Whereas the metaverse is not required to exist solely in XR, it is the most popular version. It's because more immersive, experiencing environments is at the heart of the notion, something that XR interfaces excel at.

The truth is that no one knows how the metaverse will appear if forecasts that it would play a significant role in our lives prove to be right. However, given Meta's focus on virtual reality, it'll almost certainly be a key component. Three key parts of the concept, 3D settings, avatars, and gamification, all work well with VR interfaces. Another idea that matches well with the metaverse idea is augmented reality, which has the ability to blur the line between virtual and actual worlds.

Advanced Headsets and Hardware

Virtual reality gear, like any other technology, is getting smaller and more powerful as time passes on. When we're talking about devices that need to be strapped to our heads, this is very useful for adoption! AR gadgets will grow lighter as well, in addition to smaller VR headsets. The possibility of AR contact lenses that display info directly into the retina has already been demonstrated by the California company Mojo Vision.

Hardware has many functionalities as well. The HHTC Vive Pro Eye headset has already broken eye-tracking technology, allowing us to manage ocular gesture interfaces and we should expect more applications to take advantage of these technologies in the next year. The technology only needs to display areas of the image that are immediately viewed in high resolution, which cuts down on the headset's battery consumption.

XR in Retail

Both online and offline, the retail business is undergoing huge changes, and both provide plenty of opportunities to experiment with XR technologies. VR technologies can be utilised in online retail to offer more engaging and immersive retail experiences that mirror the "hands-on" benefits of physical stores. Meanwhile, augmented reality (AR) technology can help users find what they're searching for on the racks and deliver the kind of info that online buyers have grown to expect.

Customers can "try on" jewelry and clothing using virtual avatars and engage in "personal shopper" exchanges with chatbots using VR, which is well beyond what is feasible with traditional e-commerce platforms. We may anticipate seeing additional AR technology in real-world stores, such as digital mirrors that allow consumers to test on a variety of items without having to change or even touch them! They may easily be directed to where they can find products they like on the shelves after they find something they like.

XR and 5G

The implementation of 5G is speeding up, and 2022 appears to be the year when it will be widely adopted enough to be a mainstream concept. The advantages include not just quicker data transfers, as well as the capability of other types of data and services. They currently offer speeds that are around 20 times faster than present mobile networks, but with the ability to considerably expand that gap. This will most certainly involve the massive amounts of data required to run XR, which will enable cordless and cloud-based VR and AR. We should expect comparable solutions for other use instances to emerge in 2022, as gaming tends to operate as a proving ground for much of the VR technology already pervading other industries such as healthcare and education. Many firms will be able to launch XR solutions without having to invest heavily in infrastructure as a result of this.