ELI5: What is the difference between AR and VR

AR lets you see the real world with computer-generated things on top of it, while VR takes you to a completely different, made-up world.

Think of it like this:

• AR (Augmented Reality) is like looking through a special window that adds cool drawings to your real room. Imagine you're playing in your living room, and suddenly a little cartoon dragon appears on your coffee table using your mom's phone. You can still see your real coffee table, your real toys, and your real family. The dragon is just extra! Another example is using a Snapchat filter to give yourself dog ears and a nose – you still see your real face, but with extra digital bits added.

• VR (Virtual Reality) is like putting on a super cool mask that blocks out everything around you and shows you a completely new place. Imagine putting on a big headset, and suddenly you're standing on a rollercoaster, even though you're really just in your bedroom. You can't see your bedroom anymore; all you see is the rollercoaster and the sky! It's a totally different, made-up world created by the computer.

• AR enhances your real world by adding digital elements.
• VR replaces your real world with a completely digital one.