Our eyes are the primary means in which we receive information. They can detect color, depth, shapes, and motion. Our brain then interprets this data to build our perception of the world. But what if our world was altered digitally? What if we could enhance the way we immerse in life digitally? We currently holster a computer, screen, and cameras composite to act as our portable device assistance. What if we could enhance our present physical space to be more dynamic and interactive with our digital life?

This is what Extended Reality seeks to understand. The unaltered, real, physical world is undoubtedly bona fide beautiful without any digital modifications. Earth's landscape is filled with ever-evolving fauna and fawn that makes up the ecosystem we inhabit. The great creativity of mankind can be found in civilizations spotted across the globe. Our every sense is stimulated by the physical environment, because it is the environment we learn to survive in.

In first world countries, it would be hard to find someone who does not have a device or devices they use to navigate life. It would be hard to find someone who doesn't have some type of smartphone, laptop, tablet, or IoT. These are the very tools we use to learn about the world, find businesses to meet our needs, and connect with one another. Ultimately exploring our curiosities and connecting to services that suit our life's demands.

The very first smartphone was released three decades ago, and from that time since now we have experienced the smartphone arm's race. With plethora of devices for consumers to choose from that fit their lifestyle. Some of us even decorate our devices with ornaments and adorn our devices with cases.

The very first computer was conceptualized nearly a century ago by Charles Babbage. In short, this digital takeover is still quite fresh and I believe has awhile before we fully uncover the capabilities of devices powered by light. Merging both the physical and digital world to provide seamless interaction would be the next natural step in this digital takeover.

Under the umbrella of Extended Reality or XR, Mixed Reality seeks to digitally integrate the virtual world into the physical world. Microsoft HoloLens is a successful example in the advancements of Mixed Reality technology. HoloLens includes hand-tracking, body-tracking, head-tracking, eye-tracking, spatial-mapping, and voice-capture to enable interactions within our local metaverse.

Without the interactivity and meshing between the digital and physical space, it would be considered Augmented Reality or AR. Pokémon GO is one successful campaign combining a recognizable brand with AR tech to bring players out into the open world and into the fantastical world of Pokémon. People from all around the world united to capture Pokémon in the real world. People were at home, places of business, parks, and even in their cars capturing mysterious virtual creatures. It in a way brought friends, acquaintances, and strangers out to socialize, sharing in the Pokémon experience.

Virtual Reality or VR is another extension of Extended Reality in which the person is completely immersed in a digital or virtual environment. VR tech is great for encapsulating training courses in a safe space, in which would other-wise be dangerous and costly. It enhances the world traveling experience, enabling virtual tours for tourists. The same thing can be said for the real estate industry. Museums imported into Virtual Reality will make it more accessible for people across the world to explore and cure their curiosities'. Whatever one can envision, whether practical or fantastical, can be encapsulated in the virtual realm.

It is great to have the tech, but if no one uses them, what's the point? With the promise of XR technology, different education programs have manifested to provide industry knowledge and disciplines for those wanting to build immersive experiences for users to explore. XR Bootcamp has been apart of this endeavor for nearly a decade. They offer many courses that range from the foundations of Extended Reality to developing with haptics. To secure the credibility of these courses, they are ran by industry leaders who are currently pushing the bounds of XR experiences.

You may even be taught by Holonautic's co-founders Dennys Kuhnert and Roger Küng at XR Bootcamp. The pioneering team in tactile immersive experiences has a impressive portfolio. If you are curious about the many things you can do with your hands, then play Hand Physics Labs. If playing as a gun-packing, blade-wielding, adrenaline-pumped stick figure is more your taste, then try H.O.L.Oception. If playing mini-games with friends or strangers is more your flow, then try Mash Me Up.

For XR experiences tethered to the real world, FlyAR has been at the tip of the spearhead. This company was founded by a couple of friends studying digital media at Metropolia UAS. Joined by two other XR tinkerers, they have created a stretch of captive interactive augmented reality scenes. Their projects with NCC Savonkatu, Dub Vallila, Elävät Juuret museum consortium, and Skateistan are only a few that proves their worth in the AR sector.

Not only are companies producing immersive experiences, but are building the platforms that streamlines development to production. MetaVRse deserves total recognition for their no-code approach. Their immersive 3D graphics engine allows even the layman to manifest a virtual haven. In practicality, this is useful for creating digitized training environments or unique 3D marketing campaigns.

There is undoubtedly many experiences for people to explore on their prefer immersive devices. There are plenty of solutions that helps streamline XR development. More are and more people are adopting or at least experimenting with XR technology. So the question then becomes, how can XR compliment someone's lifestyle?

When Virtual Reality reaches mass adoption and retention, we would have entered the cyberpunk era. With the current trend of digital tech adoption, we are well on our way towards one. The world in which we inhabit now will be completely different a decade from now just like a decade ago. XR tech will be prove impact on our personal and professional lives. With continuous research and innovation in immersive technology, one could say we seek an Extended Reality.