What is "augmented reality" in multimedia?

Augmented reality is primarily defined as a technology that enhances the real world with digital information. This means that it overlays digital content—such as images, sounds, and other sensory inputs—onto the physical world in real-time, allowing users to interact with both the virtual and real environments simultaneously.

For instance, augmented reality applications may use a smartphone camera to recognize an object in the environment and then display additional information about that object, such as reviews, pricing, or a 3D model, thereby enriching the user's experience without completely immersing them in a virtual world. This interactivity is foundational to augmented reality, as it seeks to augment or add to the reality one experiences rather than replace it with a fully virtual space.

In contrast, options that describe the creation of virtual environments, the editing of film footage, or methods of digital marketing do not capture the essence of augmented reality. These concepts either refer to entirely different technologies or practices that lack the key characteristic of enhancing real-world experiences with digital elements.