https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/13/did-we-just-glimpse-the-future-of-augmented-reality.html

Here at Niantic we are incredibly excited about the transformative power of augmented reality. Why? To populate the world with cute and cuddly 3D characters? Well, yeah, we think that's a cool idea. But something even bigger than that is at stake  —  whether we build technology that serves us or increasingly become servants to technology. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are at two ends of the spectrum of how we are going to relate to technology in the future. Not to overstate the case, but there is a part of me that recoils at 'The Matrix'-like aspect of VR as opposed to AR  —  a vision of humans as peripherals plugged into some vast digital matrix, emerging only to ingest a quick glass of Soylent before we dive back in.

AR offers the potential to enhance our basic functions as human beings as we lead our lives in the physical world. Yes, AR can transform the mundane into something more colorful and fun and can provide a useful nudge to go off and see new places and do new things. It can also enhance the everyday — walking through a complicated subway terminal (imagine a dotted line map leading the way), shopping (imagine a glance at an item showing you an image of you wearing the item with information about where it was made and its ecological impact), travel (picture heads-up translation and guides to history and art as you stroll through an historic site), and so much more. The real win will be lifting our heads from our phones without needing to completely cut the cord to the rich troves of online information that can enhance our lives in a million different ways.