Check it Out: E-Commerce Gets Real With Virtual Fitting Room

It's not "The Matrix," but augmented reality is a way to create greater connections between what's on the web and what's in front of users' eyes, helping bridge that gap between a visit and a sale.

These new applications interact with the real world by detecting what's going on — generally through motion capture or reading barcodes via camera phones — and offering additional information or functionality that blends the real-life and online experience. Flash a box of cereal in front of your cell phone and get details about the manufacturer's environmental impact and online reputation. Point your webcam at your room and see how the new line of Wal-Mart or IKEA furniture looks in your living space. USPS has even rolled out a "virtual box simulator" to see if that thing you're shipping will fit in its ubiquitous Flat Rate boxes.