How virtual reality differs from augmented reality:
Where virtual reality creates a fully imagined or replicated environment, such as virtually transporting a fan to a stadium thousands of miles away, augmented reality involves an overlay of digital or computerized imagery onto the real world. Instead of creating a whole new world, augmented reality seeks to enhance the current one. Examples of augmented reality include Google Glass or the Microsoft HoloLens.
What you need to experience virtual reality:
Three core pieces: 1. A smartphone capable of rendering virtual reality images. Some headset models require a high-end personal computer instead of a smartphone. 2. A headset or goggles to aid with the virtual reality experience. Some are as cheap as giveaway cardboard units, others are high-end pieces of computer hardware costing hundreds of dollars. 3. A means of access to the content. Some virtual reality content is directly accessed from a dedicated webpage, mobile application or Facebook destination. Other programming is found in nascent virtual reality portals such as Samsung’s Milk VR.
What it costs:
It varies widely, largely hinging on the expenditure for a headset and related hardware. With a compatible smartphone and a cardboard headset obtained for free, the additional cost for a consumer to experience virtual reality can be nothing. Higher-end headsets can typically range between $100 and $600 each, again above and beyond the cost of the phone or computer itself. Content in some cases can incur additional costs, but a revenue infrastructure for virtual reality programming remains a work in progress.
