Technological innovations never cease to amaze people and it seems that technology will never run out of ways to surprise the world. Technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have been around for some time now. However, it was never a question about “if” but “when” will this technology create the next boom.
Well, that time is certainly upon us now, as the Apple kicks things off with their AR platform called ARKit, which they announced at their Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 2017). We have seen the AR‘s attempt at a “grand entrance” with the release of Pokémon Go app, but the hype died down after less than a year. Still, the idea remained and it seems that this year, AR technology will make its way into our lives.
Apple’s AR frontier
ARKit is the newest tool from Apple, that will help developers build AR into their apps. The technology revolves around motion sensors and already built-in graphics and processing modules inside the existing iPhones and iPads. This new AR platform will revolutionize the way digital content is brought into the real world and it will give people a whole new experience when using AR technology.
On one of the demos, Apple shows how an ordinary table can become something else, when viewed from an iPad. Through the iPad, the table became an intense battleground with spaceship battles and explosions. This is an example, on how gaming may evolve using AR in the future.
Another demo shows how you can place virtual objects on a real table and how you can easily move them around. Developers can use this new platform to improve their designs and create new apps, while customers can have the experience of actually seeing, how certain objects may look when placed in the real world. ARKit is set to debut on iOS 11 and also, new hardware which will support ARKit will come out with the new iPhone 8.
Understanding AR
Augmented reality gives people the opportunity, to mix digital information and content with the real world. AR incorporates digital pictures, videos texts and other content and makes them appear in your real-life environment “ giving you the illusion, that the two are combined. Now, don’t mix AR with VR, because virtual reality replaces the real world environment entirely, with a simulation. Many devices we use nowadays, such as smartphones or tablets will be able to fully incorporate AR technology in the near future.
For instance, you will be able to view your favorite store through your phone and see all the sales or ratings, that store has right on the spot. However, AR technology will require better hardware in devices and developers will have to find ways to speed up apps, in order to provide the people with the best experience possible. It’s estimated that sales generated from AR will reach $120 billion by 2020. It’s safe to assume that AR will mark the next technological boom, because of its immense potential to reshape technology as we know it.
Others are soon to follow
Apple made the icebreaker with their AR platform but we can be sure that other giants, such as Google and Microsoft, won’t sit on the sidelines for this one. As a matter of fact, Microsoft is working on their AR set called HoloLens and Google’s not far behind with their Tango platform. Moreover, Google announced that they are designing a whole new VR-based Chrome, that will give people the opportunity to experience browsing the Internet in VR. VR version of Google Chrome is announced to debut later this year on Android platforms and it will give users the new online VR content.
However, Google’s plans don’t end there, as they hope that their AR tools will help websites make AR content from the browsers. Furthermore, Google’s AR tools won’t demand app installations “ instead, websites can provide AR content through the cameras located on user’s devices. For example, you may be viewing furniture online and instead of looking at pictures you can look at your room through the camera on your phone and a website will display furniture, as if it was already there. Also, you can move virtual furniture around and view it from every angle. Pretty neat stuff!
Augmented reality is finally entering the stage, for real this time. AR technology will close the gap between the digital and the real world, while offering people a whole new set of experiences. Technology continues to reshape our lives and with the focus on AR, we can only wait and see what excitements await us.
