The Best Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Experiences to Try in 2024 v1.0

Learn About The Best Virtual Reality And Augmented Reality Experiences To Try In 2024 Today!

By Bing Chat and John Monyjok Maluth

Introduction

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are technologies that create immersive and interactive experiences for users. VR transports users to a simulated environment, while AR overlays digital elements onto the real world. Both technologies have many applications and benefits for entertainment, education, business, and more.

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In 2024, VR and AR will become more accessible, affordable, and advanced, offering users a wide range of experiences to explore, learn, and have fun. In this article, we will share some of the best VR and AR experiences to try in 2024, based on the latest trends and innovations in the field.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality?

Virtual reality is a technology that creates a simulated environment that can be experienced by users through a headset, controller, or other device. It can have many advantages and disadvantages, depending on how it is used and for what purpose. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality are:

Advantages:
- VR can provide an immersive and realistic learning experience, allowing users to interact with virtual environments and objects as if they were real. This can be useful for training, education, therapy, and entertainment purposes.
- VR can help people to overcome their fears, phobias, or traumas by gradually exposing them to the situations that trigger their anxiety in a controlled and safe way. This can help them to cope and adapt to their emotions and symptoms.
- VR can enable people to explore new places, cultures, and experiences that they might not be able to access otherwise. This can broaden their horizons, increase their curiosity, and enrich their lives.
- VR can help people to connect and communicate with others who share their interests, passions, or goals. This can create a sense of community, belonging, and support among users.
Disadvantages:
- VR can be expensive and require specialized equipment and software that might not be affordable or accessible for everyone. This can create a digital divide and limit the opportunities for some users.
- VR can cause health issues such as motion sickness, eye strain, headaches, or fatigue due to the sensory mismatch between the virtual and physical movements or the prolonged exposure to the artificial environment. This can affect the well-being and performance of users.
- VR can isolate users from the real world and reduce their social interaction and physical activity. This can lead to loneliness, depression, or addiction among users who rely on VR to escape reality or cope with their problems.
- VR can create ethical dilemmas such as privacy, security, or consent issues due to the collection and use of personal data or the manipulation and influence of user behavior by the VR creators or providers. This can affect the rights and responsibilities of users.

The Best VR Experiences to Try in 2024

VR experiences are designed to immerse users in a virtual world, where they can interact with objects, characters, and environments using VR headsets, controllers, and other devices. Some of the best VR experiences to try in 2024 are:

Space Explorers: The ISS Experience: This is a VR documentary series that takes users on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS), where they can experience life and work in orbit. The series was filmed over two years by eight astronauts using 360-degree cameras. Users can explore the ISS, witness stunning views of Earth, and learn about the scientific experiments and missions conducted by the crew. The series is available on Oculus Quest¹ for $2.99 per episode.
BRINK Traveller: This is a VR travel app that allows users to visit some of the most amazing places on Earth, such as Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, Petra, and more. Users can enjoy photorealistic 3D scans of these locations, as well as 360-degree videos and photos. Users can also learn about the history, culture, and nature of these places through audio guides and interactive elements. The app is available on Oculus Quest² for free.
Star Chart VR: This is a VR astronomy app that lets users explore the solar system and beyond. Users can fly around planets, moons, asteroids, comets, stars, constellations, and galaxies, as well as witness eclipses, meteor showers, and other celestial events. Users can also learn about the objects they see through voice narration and text information. The app is available on Oculus Quest³ for $9.99.
National Geographic Explore VR: This is a VR adventure app that takes users on immersive expeditions around the world. Users can kayak through Antarctica, climb Mount Everest, explore Machu Picchu, and more. Users can also interact with wildlife, discover secrets, and collect artifacts along the way. The app is available on Oculus Quest⁴ for $9.99.
Ocean Rift: This is a VR marine wildlife app that lets users dive into the ocean and encounter various creatures, such as sharks, dolphins, whales, turtles, seals, and more. Users can swim freely or follow guided tours across 12 habitats, such as coral reefs, shipwrecks, lagoons, and deep sea. Users can also learn about the animals they see through voice narration and text information. The app is available on Oculus Quest⁵ for $9.99.

The Best AR Experiences to Try in 2024

AR experiences are designed to enhance the real world with digital elements, such as images, videos, sounds, or animations. Users can interact with these elements using smartphones, tablets, or smart glasses. Some of the best AR experiences to try in 2024 are:

All Kinds of Limbo XR: This is an AR music app that lets users enjoy a live performance by British singer Nubiya Brandon in their own space. Users can watch Brandon sing songs from different genres, such as reggae, grime, jazz, and calypso, as well as dance along with her. Users can also customize the performance by changing the lighting, the stage, and the camera angles. The app is available on iOS⁶ for free.
Universe Sandbox: This is an AR simulation app that lets users create and explore their own universe. Users can manipulate planets, stars, galaxies, and other cosmic objects using their fingers or voice commands. Users can also witness the effects of gravity, collisions, climate change, and other phenomena on their creations. The app is available on iOS⁷ for $4.99.
Perspectives: Paradise: This is an AR art app that lets users experience a digital installation by artist Olafur Eliasson in their own environment. Users can see a sphere of light that changes color and intensity according to their movement and position. Users can also hear sounds that correspond to the light and their surroundings. The app is available on iOS⁸ and Android⁹ for free.
The Book of Distance: This is an AR storytelling app that tells the personal history of Yonezo Okita, a Japanese immigrant who moved to Canada in the 1930s and was interned during World War II. Users can follow Okita’s story through his grandson, Randall Okita, who narrates and guides the experience. Users can also interact with objects, photos, and documents that reveal more details and emotions. The app is available on iOS¹⁰ and Android¹¹ for free.
Within – Cinematic VR: This is an AR entertainment app that offers a curated selection of immersive and interactive stories from various genres, such as documentary, animation, comedy, horror, and more. Users can watch these stories in 360-degree video or AR mode, where they can see the characters and scenes in their own space. Users can also choose their own perspective and influence the outcome of some stories. The app is available on iOS¹² and Android¹³ for free.

References

1. Oculus Quest: https://www.oculus.com/quest/

2. BRINK Traveller: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2334376869959249/

3. Star Chart VR: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1833318536739847/

4. National Geographic Explore VR: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2078376005587859/

5. Ocean Rift: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1915953098489520/

6. All Kinds of Limbo XR: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/all-kinds-of-limbo-xr/id1544984878

7. Universe Sandbox: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/universe-sandbox/id1466843725

8. Perspectives: Paradise: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/perspectives-paradise/id1536033892

9. Perspectives: Paradise: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.acuteart.perspectivesparadise&hl=en_US&gl=US

10. The Book of Distance: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-book-of-distance/id1527963980

11. The Book of Distance: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nfb.bookofdistance&hl=en_US&gl=US

12. Within – Cinematic VR: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/within-cinematic-vr/id959327054

13. Within – Cinematic VR: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shakingearthdigital.vrsecardboard&hl=en_US&gl=US