Which isn’t actually as complicated as it might sound, Augmented reality, which we’ve all surely witnessed recently in the form of the hugely popular kids game Pokemon Go!, involves overlaying additional detail, data and special effects onto the backdrop of the real world. Virtual reality on the other hand, works by replacing the world around us with an alternative reality.

“Put it this way,” says Marston, “When you see somebody wearing a virtual reality headset, it’s best to give them a wide berth, They’re likely somewhere else completely; wandering through the pyramids of Egypt, visiting a busy market in ancient Rome, or even taking a few giant leaps of their own on the surface of the moon.

If the headset and the software is good – and they really are getting better all the time — the person wearing the headset is only subconsciously aware of the real world.”

“Someone using augmented reality on the other hand is still with us, albeit a little distracted. Like the kids you see wandering around parks and shopping centres with their phones in front of them searching for Pokemon figures that only they can see. But AR as a tool is inevitable in the sense that it is the bringing together of all available technologies into one place.”

A view shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook who recently described AR as ‘the future’. The real difference between the two technologies will be the way they are applied to the real world, and more importantly to the business world. One company at the forefront of that transition for augmented reality is UK-based 3rockAR, which since its formation in 2014 has already worked with some of the world’s largest companies, such as Mercedes, Jaguar, Singapore Airlines and Red Bull. “The hunger for augmented reality is enormous,” says co-owner lan Brookes, “Every single forward-thinking company is putting enhanced digital campaigns at the forefront of their marketing mix and augmented reality is what people all around the world have been asked to explore.”

Companies like 3rockAR are developing brand new innovations that allow people to actually see themselves in amongst all of the augmented reality content. “Most recently,” he added, “we worked in association with Centum Media GmbH and its partners, to set up an augmented reality ‘Magic Mirror’ in the Alexa Shopping Mall in Berlin, which allowed passers-by to see their own reflections but with the addition of all sorts of colourful computer generated characters. Dinosaurs, crocodiles, giant ninja turtles, aliens, you name it. The response was fantastic. As a marketing tool we were able to put our client’s brands not only at the forefront of technology, but also permanently in the memories of everyone Who saw it.”

The first real attempt to develop the augmented reality concept into a marketable consumer product came in the form of Google Glass in 2013, an optical head-mounted display designed in the shape of a pair of eyeglasses. Wearers were not only able to see data about the world around them (as and when that data was available) but could also communicate with the internet via natural language voice commands, While the hefty $1,500 price tag didn’t help, the experiment stalled somewhat a couple of years later when the company found itself subjected to a wave of criticism and legislative action, presumably from people who mistook them for x-ray specs.

That said, in February 2015, The New York Times reported that Google Glass was being redesigned by former Apple executive Tony Fadell and that it would not be released until he deemed it to be “perfect.”

Marston believes that the tipping point of perfection is now very close. “For augmented reality to bridge that gap and really push wearable device technology into the mainstream, it has to evolve from novelty status into something that is genuinely useful. Maybe the glasses were too Star Trek first time round? Maybe people felt too conspicuous wearing them, who knows?

But whatever form the technology eventually takes — headsets, glasses, or even contact lenses, the real point is, if you can be walking down the street learning about everything around you as you go — instant restaurant reviews, information about historical buildings, bus timetables, the list is almost endless — it suddenly becomes very useful indeed,”

Usefulness would appear to be the key driver behind the evolution of virtual reality technology too, particularly in the real estate sector where property agents are now able to connect far more efficiently with potential buyers right across the globe. Indeed, studies predict that by the end of this decade, property buyers will be routinely touring properties on demand wearing virtual reality headsets that employ software that has already evaluated their internet usage in order to offer them the most suitable properties.

Imagine being able to take time out between meetings – or from the comfort of your own home in the evening – to pop a virtual reality headset on and stroll through your property of choice, literally at your leisure. From LA and New York, to the French Riviera, geography no longer needs to be an obstacle. The ability to walk through a space and really get a sense of what it would feel like to be there, is a massive game changer.

This type of technology will also provide architects and agents with a direct and easy way to show off new properties, enable them to make updates and modifications to designs, and give clients tours of properties that have not even been built yet. Clients will be able to suggest changes as they are given a tour, which can then be implemented by the designer or architect in a matter of moments.

“This will be the future of the real estate industry,” says Daniel Falci, the COO of UE4Arch, a company dedicated to creating and pushing forward hyper-realistic virtual creations that can be experienced in virtual reality. “As you will design, experience and interact with your new apartment or house before a single brick has been placed”.

UE4Arch’s pioneering architectural visualizations work with ultra realistic scenes inside a game creation engine in real-time. This creates a number of new possibilities like changing furniture style, colors, materials, interactions with objects and use of virtual reality headsets for better immersion in the environment.

When it comes to virtual reality headsets, most people immediately think of garners and tech geeks, but the truth is that they are becoming increasingly valuable as a sales tool. Using 3D, 360-degree cameras and a virtual camera set, people will be able enter a space, look around, explore and be fully immersed in the world they have “entered”.

This method of showcasing the properties will tap into buyer’s emotions, enabling them to engage and build a relationship with the property just as though they were physically there. But without all the trouble of setting up an appointment. It is thought that the technology will become so advanced that it will eventually simulate touch and feel within a virtual house and even create a virtual sense of smell.

According to The Guardian newspaper, Goldman Sachs has predicted that virtual reality software for real estate applications alone will become a $2.6bn market by 2025.

Right now the relatively high costs of software and equipment is limiting the technology to the top end of the market, with companies such as Sotheby’s International Realty choosing to use Oculus headsets to showcase multi-million dollar virtual properties. “This new technology solves a real challenge in the marketing of a home to a global audience of real estate consumers,” says Vice President of interactive marketing at Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates. “3-D tours and virtual reality will allow a consumer to experience a home from anywhere in the world without having to schedule a visit. We have clients looking for first, second and third homes all over the world and this technology has already been the driver beyond homes being sold without visiting the property in person.”

While the application of virtual reality technology to any sector involving sales is obvious, be it second hand cars, furniture, restaurants, transportation or even technology itself, there are plenty of other sectors which are likely to adopt it once it becomes more affordable.

“I can only begin to imagine how useful virtual reality will be in education,” says Marston. “Gone will be the days of boring old lessons from grainy history textbooks, or lacklustre science experiments in health and safety conscious school laboratories. The travel industry too is highly likely to be a first adopter as people are able to get a real feel for what it would be like to go to all sorts of different destinations before they make their final decision.”

Unless of course they prefer the virtual trip to doing it for real. Only time will tell.