Augmented reality quietly augmenting mainstream news

In the short term, Augmented Reality has much more potential for journalistic use than VR. Virtual reality is time and attention intensive, and requires dedicated kit (even if it’s as cheap and simple as Google Cardboard). With AR finding its way into more phones, especially Apple devices, the tech is just right there, in people’s pockets.

There’s some interesting experiment at work already.

• The New York Times is investing in experimenting, including its Winter Olympics coverage
• Quartz is using it to enhance its app offering

Both good addition to other reporting, rather than being a piece of content in their own right.

The big questions are:

1. Does the cost of creation stack up against the audience attracted?
2. If not, how fast will the cost of creation come down?

One to watch…