The new concept of augmented reality (interactive holograms that enlighten, entertain and empower humans; for example, in the movie “Iron Man” the main character, Tony Stark, scans information-filled holograms that are beamed in front of his mask) has arrived.

Augmented reality has the potential to reach far more people than the virtual reality concept, because its main purpose is to be a seamless supplement to daily living instead of going into artificial dimensions (which is what virtual reality does)  “Augmented reality is going to have a lot more practical applications simply because there a lot more people out there who interact with things in the real world,” says Greg Kipper, who studied the technology’s potential in his book, Augmented Reality: An Emerging Technologies Guide to AR.

With a virtual screen, you may see an ingredient list appear for a certain recipe before your eyes while food shopping. Or while reading an astronomy book, an image of the solar system may start orbiting around you. With a VR headset, however, your immediate surroundings are blocked off, as you become totally submerged in a different world.

The most visible progress in augmented reality so far, have been through the startups Meta, Atheer and Magic Leap; but it’s only a matter of time before leading tech companies will also be involved.

Working Abroad Through Remote Year

Want to travel the world and get paid for it? It’s now possible, thanks to Greg Caplan, founder of Remote Year. Launched in 2014, this program arranges for 75 people to spend each month living and working in a different location (for about $27,000-consisting of a 5,000 down payment and $2,000 each month for 11 months), you’ll get: Airfare, private accommodations, 24-hour access to a Wi-Fi workspace, group activities, travel insurance and more.

Remote Year contestants come from all over the world; they’re writers, designers and developers, small business owners and even lawyers, says Caplan. And thousands apply for those 75 spots in each group (the third season recently began on June 1, 2016 and includes stays in Lisbon, Prague and Buenos Aires).

Many companies see and place much value not only on Remote Year participants, but also on the applicants; they’re actively sought-and recruited- by Remote Year’s Preferred Partner Program. “We want to enable anyone who can break free from their desks to see the world, advance their professional skills and gain lifetime friends and networks,” says Caplan.

Did You Know That…..

37 percent of U.S. workers have telecommuted.

Sources: “Making augmented technology a reality”-Associated Press-The (Sunday) Vindicator, April 3, 2016, “Work and Wanderlust” sidebar by Ana Connery and http://www.gallup.com-Parade, April 17, 2016