Two guys designing a car with XR

As Australians increasingly embrace cutting-edge technology, Extended Reality (XR) is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives, from immersive gaming experiences to innovative business solutions. But what exactly is XR, and how can you start using this technology? Let’s explore how XR differs from AR and VR, and how it integrates with your current devices.

XR, also known as cross reality or extended reality, is an umbrella term encompassing several related technologies. It combines VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), and MR (mixed reality). Understanding this fundamental concept makes the world of XR much clearer to navigate.

What is XR?

At its core, XR is “reality-plus” technology using any type of display. Simply put, XR combines VR and AR technologies.

XR encompasses any technology that modifies the human-to-PC screen interface by either:

  1. Immersing you completely in a virtual environment (VR)

  2. Adding digital elements to your real surroundings (AR)

  3. Combining both approaches (MR)

The term XR has existed for decades, first appearing in the 1960s when Charles Wyckoff filed a patent for his silver-halide “XR” film, designed to photograph extremely bright light events, such as nuclear explosions.

Today, the term has gained prominence as device manufacturers work to describe their various display innovations. These range from immersive gaming experiences using headsets to AR applications that enhance our everyday surroundings.

XR Technology Explained

Since XR is an umbrella term, you won’t find specific “XR devices.” Instead, any device featuring AR, VR, or MR capabilities is considered an XR device. If you’ve used Google Maps navigation or played a VR game, you’ve already experienced XR technology.

While many tech companies are racing to brand their latest gear with this emerging term, it’s important to understand that XR simply encompasses all these reality-enhancing technologies.

XR vs. VR

Virtual Reality (VR) is a subset of XR that provides an immersive computing or gaming experience where your entire field of vision is filled by the device’s display. This might involve a sophisticated headset or a simple smartphone-based solution.

While all VR is considered XR, not all XR is VR. For instance, when your phone’s camera superimposes digital elements onto your surroundings, that’s AR (and thus XR), but not VR.

XR vs. AR

Augmented Reality (AR) is another subset of XR that overlays digital elements onto real-world surroundings through your device’s camera. Whether you’re viewing a virtual tiger in your lounge room through Google search or using educational markup in a workplace setting, you’re experiencing AR.

XR in Business

Australian businesses are already leveraging XR technology in innovative ways. From virtual product demonstrations to immersive training experiences, XR is transforming how companies operate. For instance, retailers are using XR to allow customers to preview furniture in their homes before purchase, reducing returns and enhancing the online shopping experience.

Best XR Devices for Australian Users

Several XR devices are available to Australian consumers and businesses. Here are some notable options:

OMEN by HP Gaming Desktop Options:

For accessories and VR equipment, HP offers various options including:

The Future of XR in Australia

As Australia continues to embrace digital transformation, XR technology is set to play an increasingly important role in various sectors:

  • Education: Virtual field trips will allow Australian students to explore international landmarks and historical sites

  • Healthcare: AR navigation in hospitals and medical training

  • Retail: Enhanced shopping experiences with virtual try-ons and product visualisation

  • Sports: Real-time performance analysis and training applications

  • Business: Improved remote collaboration and virtual meetings

XR in your Daily Life

You’re likely already using XR technology in your daily routine. From Google Maps navigation to sports broadcasts with virtual overlays, XR is becoming increasingly prevalent in Australian life. Even video conferencing with virtual backgrounds represents a form of XR technology.

Summary

XR technology is revolutionising how Australians interact with digital content and their surroundings. As an umbrella term encompassing VR, AR, and MR, XR represents the future of human-computer interaction. Whether for gaming, business, or everyday applications, XR is set to transform many aspects of life in Australia.

To explore HP’s range of XR-ready gaming devices and accessories, visit our Gaming Laptops and Gaming Desktops pages.