Niantic’s CEO Thinks AR Is More Promising Than VR

In terms of new reality-based technology, we’re looking at both augmented and virtual reality technology. Virtual is more immersive, while augmented basically overlays virtual content in the real world. Both have their advantages, both have their disadvantages, but unsurprisingly Niantic’s CEO thinks augmented reality holds more promise.

During Recode’s “Recode Decode” podcast, Niantic’s CEO John Hanke said that AR has more long-term potential simply because it does not shut people off from the outside world, and actually encourages them to go outside to interact with things. “From the very beginning, our games were about encouraging people to go outside and see interesting places.”

In fact this is something that Pokemon GO has achieved at the start where many players were tweeting how they were actually getting more exercise now than ever. He adds, “It is the direction that I think is far more interesting and promising — for technology and, really, for humanity. AR is designed to add, enhance the things you do as a human being: Being outside, socializing with other people, shopping, playing, having fun. AR can make all those things better.”

Hanke isn’t alone in this as Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has also stated that he believes AR will do  better than VR. Microsoft seems to agree as they are one of the few big tech firms not part of the VR race. Instead they seem to be focused on AR with the development of the HoloLens. That being said, we don’t see why both technologies can’t co-exist peacefully, right?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Gaming, General
Tags: Augmented Reality (AR), niantic, Virtual Reality (VR)