Augmented reality is a blend of the real world with the computer-generated information, a technology that superimposes a computer-generated information on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.

Quite different from VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality) incorporates with the real world adding an extra digital layer of information thus enabling users to experience a mixed reality of real world with simulated/computer generated elements whereas VR lets user experience a totally virtual world or computer generated world.

VR replaces your reality, while AR enhances it.

There is no doubt that people are fascinated by the appearance of simulated objects in their own reality. And it’s this kind of fascination that would drive brand sales if the tech was to reach a wider audience: Think social.

Augmented reality has been explored for many applications and some of them have been really helpful to enhance people’s lives. Here are some application areas that I think are the best areas for AR.

Architecture/Interior designs  

AR can improve in visualizing building projects. 3D structures of buildings can be superimposed into a real life local view of a property before the physical building is constructed there thus helping people visualize even before the building is constructed. The possibilities are even endless when it comes to interior design and decoration with people being able to try out the furnitures as how they would look in their space, or match the colours of the furnitures without the whole process of actually bringing in the furniture.

Here’s and example of such App:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roomle.android&hl=en

Social

What’s the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind when they see SnapChat? Despite the auto disappearing chat app, it’s the AR filters that define Snapchat.Other social apps too later joined Snapchat providing the AR filters in their apps like Facebook ,Instagram and various other Camera apps in the App Stores. By providing such AR and geo-filters(Filters based on the user’s location) these apps have gained millions of users. Lately during F8 announcement of Facebook, it announced, that Facebook will take AR to new level even providing the developers to build their own AR filters while Snapchat has also provided such platform for developers.

https://lensstudio.snapchat.com/
https://developers.facebook.com/products/ar-studio/overview/

Games  

Augmented reality has allowed players to experience digital game play in a real world environment notably with Pokémon Go as the best widely known example of latest AR game technology. Niantic is notable for releasing the record-breaking game Pokémon Go. While Pokémon Go also uses GPS, there are other games that are purely AR but the combination of geolocation and AR made it emerge on top. Below are some AR games available on the app stores,

Pokémon Go:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nianticlabs.pokemongo&hl=en

Ingress: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nianticproject.ingress&hl=en

AR Remote Car:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.akillimum.remotecarar&hl=en

Augmented reality is the future. AR is another step further into the our presumed future as we will soon see our environments change dynamically with information either through a smartphone, glasses or even windows in the near future. With AR being rather new and innovative in every aspect, this has amazing applications that can very well allow us to live our lives more productively, more safely, and more informatively.

References:
http://www.adweek.com/digital/james-jorner-effective-inbound-marketing-guest-post-augmented-reality/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

https://augreality.wikispaces.com/

https://www.hyperlinkinfosystem.com/blog/whats-the-future-of-augmented-reality