See the Snapchat Starbucks picture above? It’s all about augmented reality (AR). The Economist defines it as a technology that “would paint computerised information directly on top of the wearers’ view of the world.” It could alter the way we see and interact with the world. “In effect, it would turn reality itself into a gigantic computer screen.” Pokémon Go is another application of the technology, but it doesn’t have to run through a smartphone. Microsoft just launched the new Hololens in Ireland, a wearable AR device, an echo of the failed (for now) Google Glass.

Hololens’ creators hope it could be used not just for games, but for other fields including engineering remodeling and the study of anatomy, according to the Independent. Experts on physical security at Sandia National Laboratory are already using the technology for training on installation security. “We model the mock facilities so the students can see the spatial relationships, see where things are in relation to each other. This helps them to understand a facility’s vulnerabilities, which can be difficult to see on paper or in writing,” computer scientist Tam Le said, Phototonics reported. It can even be used in art installations, like this project called Prosthetic Reality. It is an art book that showcases artwork by 45 artists. Viewed through the EyeJack app, the artwork is brought to life “with a colourful animation and soundscape that reveals a deeper meaning.”