Augmented reality glasses, or ‘AR glasses,’ can revolutionize everything we do, from work to leisure. These intelligent glasses seamlessly bridge the gap between physical reality and the digital realm, supercharging our productivity by overlaying digital information onto our views of the physical world. But what are AR glasses used for?
AR glasses have several practical uses, and entertainment is a big one. For example, MyW AR glasses feature a high-resolution display and built-in dynamic stereo speakers for watching shows and movies on the go.
Smart glasses also have several exciting applications beyond entertainment. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most common AR glasses use cases and explore all the wonderful ways these wearable devices can enrich your life. We also hope to answer a few of your burning questions about AR technology.
Table of Contents
What Are AR Glasses Used For?
The possibilities offered by AR are vast and constantly expanding. AR glasses allow students to explore distant lands or view 3D models of complex molecules up close. Imagine architects seeing their designs come to life on the construction site or warehouse employees seeing important custom safety reminders before using specific equipment.
In entertainment, smart glasses give users more immersive ways to enjoy movies, stream TV shows, play games, and connect on social media. AR guides and real-time fitness stats in users’ fields of view can enhance nearly every sport, from yoga to swimming.
We’ll review each of these AR glasses uses below, but remember that this list is just the tip of the iceberg. The best AR glasses are compatible with nearly every regular smartphone app. You can do anything you can do on your phone with AR glasses — just better.
Using AR Glasses for Entertainment
By far, the most common use of AR glasses is for entertainment. AR glasses allow you to tap into your favorite forms of entertainment wherever you are, offering immersive experiences for watching movies, gaming, and even tuning into live events.
Gaming
AR glasses have the potential to transform how you experience video games altogether. Imagine playing your favorite console, PC, or smartphone games on a massive screen with a wide field of view digitally overlaid in your field of vision.
This setup frees you from the size limitations of your TV or computer screen when gaming at home and makes smartphone gaming far more enjoyable on the go.
To explore the best gaming experiences in AR, check out our article on AR glasses for gaming.
Streaming Shows and Movies
Forget about trying to watch content on your tiny phone screen during commutes or flights. With AR glasses, you can catch up on your favorite shows or stream movies on the big screen anywhere. Simply fire up your regular streaming apps like Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu and get lost in your virtual cinema.
Of course, the movie magic doesn’t stop when you get home. AR glasses can turn any living room into a personal movie theater — you’ll just have to supply the popcorn.
Taking Photos and Videos
AR glasses make it easier than ever to capture those precious moments. Imagine snapping a photo or shooting a video of whatever you’re looking at instantly — no more missing the moment while pulling your phone out and opening your camera app.
Distributing your content with AR is fun, too. From sharing videos with family to posting photos on social media, the first-person point of view will give your audience a unique perspective on your subject.
Listening to Music
Most AR glasses feature built-in speakers that are perfect for listening to music. For a more immersive listening experience, you could project the lyrics in your field of vision or play full music videos.
Using Social Media
You can also access social media through AR glasses, making it easy to share photos with your Instagram followers or scroll on TikTok while waiting in line at the coffee shop.
Using AR Glasses for Sports
The use of AR glasses in sports and fitness is still in its infancy, but there are some fascinating use cases to explore.
Meditation
Need some zen time? Use AR glasses to stream guided meditations or project calming visuals while you ditch your to-do list for a little while.
Yoga
Using AR glasses, you can stream yoga videos or allow you to join live remote yoga sessions and feel as if the instructor is right there in your living room. This integration can help you understand various poses and mimic the movements of your instructor.
Plus, you’ll still be able to see your instructor while you’re facing the floor in Downward Dog or on your back in Savasana.
Aerobic Exercise
At-home aerobic workouts can be a drag, but AR glasses can gamify your workout sessions to make exercise more engaging. Some AR platforms can even connect with your smartwatch to display real-time fitness data, like your heart rate, which can help you optimize the intensity of your workouts.
Cycling
Say goodbye to fumbling with bike computers or rickety phone mounts. AR glasses project essential cycling states — speed, distance, elevation, and time — right into your line of sight. Some AR glasses can even provide GPS navigation to ensure you never miss another turn while cycling at speed.
Running
Runners can use AR glasses just like cyclers. Instead of checking your phone or smartwatch for stats, they’ll always be right in front of you. And if you’re running on a treadmill, AR glasses are fantastic for watching movies and shows while you conquer those miles.
Swimming
While AR glasses might not be ideal for swimming, AR goggles are designed for just that. Like AR glasses for on-land exercise, goggles project your real-time stats while you’re in the water. Some even provide technique feedback and include built-in navigation to help you swim straight.
Using AR Glasses for Work
AR can also be used for work, offering valuable assistance in everything from visualizing complex systems to training employees.
Virtual Displays
High-resolution AR displays, like those in MyW glasses, can be an excellent replacement for computer monitors. This replacement is particularly beneficial for developers and designers who work with multiple monitors, which can be pricey and take up a lot of desk space.
Plus, these large, virtual displays become instantly portable — you can efficiently work anywhere without adjusting to a smaller screen or lugging around a laptop.
Real-World Design
The ability to project 3D digital objects in the surrounding environment is incredibly valuable for those working with real-world design. For example, an interior designer could use AR glasses to visualize how a couch would look in a room, while an architect could see how a building would interact with surrounding streets and structures.
Employee Training
Keeping employees engaged during training sessions can be challenging, but AR glasses can turn dry training content into interactive experiences. AR can also assist with on-the-job training by providing informational overlays with step-by-step instructions, 3D models, or procedural reminders.
For example, MyW glasses can automatically detect barcodes. This automation can help employees instantly access relevant product information or equipment safety procedures, eliminating the need for bulky manuals.
Using AR Glasses for Education
AR glasses also have several practical uses in education, providing students with vast opportunities for fun, interactive learning.
Immersive Learning
The use of AR instantly makes learning more immersive, providing interactive experiences and rich visual content to keep students engaged and enhance their understanding. Imagine textbooks coming to life with 3D models of human biology or virtual recreations of historical events.
These glasses can also support language learning by translating text — and even spoken conversations — in real time.
Virtual Field Trips
AR glasses can break geological barriers and introduce students to far-away worlds, all within the safety and comfort of the classroom. Students can explore physical locations like museums and aquariums and even dangerous environments like volcanoes or the surface of Mars. The most outlandish field trips become budget-friendly and accessible to all.
FAQs About AR Glasses
What is the Point of AR Glasses?
The main point of using AR glasses is to seamlessly overlay digital information on top of your view of the outside world. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which places the user in a completely simulated world, AR blends the physical and digital worlds, allowing users to access essential online information while moving about in real life.
AR is a digital layer that enhances your perception of reality. It’s like having a portable, transparent monitor in your field of vision wherever you look. AR glasses can infuse your daily life with constant, hands-free access to information that can boost your productivity while making life easier and more enjoyable. They give you a 24/7 heads-up display like those in the most advanced fighter jets.
How Do AR Glasses Work?
Although AR glasses sound like the technology of the future, they’re built on familiar tech. When it comes down to it, they’re just little computers you wear on your face.
So, how do intelligent AR glasses work? They use cameras to capture the wearer’s surroundings and transparent screens to project digital information over the user’s field of vision. Some more advanced models have depth sensors to detect 3D space or gyroscopes and accelerometers to track head movements.
Special AR software and applications running on the glasses' processors make this possible. For example, MyW glasses run on a modified Android operating system to be compatible with most smartphone apps.
What Are the Disadvantages of AR Glasses?
AR glasses have countless exciting use cases, but like all new technologies, they also have drawbacks. Here are a few common disadvantages of AR glasses:
These drawbacks are not necessarily unique to AR glasses — using your phone out and about comes with several of the same challenges. Overall, the countless benefits of AR glasses far outweigh their disadvantages.
Explore Augmented Reality with Smart Glasses
AR glasses are no longer the futuristic gadgets of science fiction movies. Today's smart glasses are already changing how we learn, work, play, and even see the world.
Are you interested in trying AR? MyW glasses are an excellent introduction to augmented reality, bringing new levels of immersion to movies, shows, games, social media, work, learning, and fitness — all at an approachable price point.
Whether you want to take your glasses on the go or hunker down on the couch with your own personal cinema, MyW glasses offer countless opportunities to explore the exciting world of AR. Check out our website for detailed information and specs.