4 Ways AR Will Change How You Use Your iPhone
Apple unveiled ARKit, which allows developers to build augmented reality (AR) apps for the iPhone and iPad, at WWDC last month and already the toolkit has generated a fair amount of buzz. When launched with iOS 11, ARKit will become the world’s largest AR platform thanks to the sheer size of the iOS ecosystem and the millions of devices that comprise it.
And while you may have already gained a familiarity with AR through popular third-party apps like Snapchat and Pokémon Go, there are a plethora of other experiences that AR will enable, especially when paired with the native capabilities of your iPhone and iPad. Here are some of the ways AR will change the way you use your iPhone.
4. More Realistic Gaming
The first and most obvious application that everyone associates with AR is gaming. And when it comes to AR gaming, everyone thinks of Pokémon Go. The beloved game swept the globe last year and sent millions scurrying around their neighborhoods chasing pocket monsters. Apple made a special point of noting at the WWDC that ARKit will eventually integrate with Pokémon Go, bringing a greater level of depth and accuracy to the game’s next evolution. Rather than simply overlaying images against a real-world backdrop, the images will interact with it, meaning Pokémon will be anchored to the ground rather than hovering above it. Apple also teased another game at the WWDC, made in partnership with Peter Jackson’s Wingnut AR studio.
Navigate to #3 Using the Right Arrow
3. Home Improvement and Shopping Made Easy
There are ARKit apps currently in development that will enable you to try out virtual furniture in your home. The popular furniture company IKEA, for one, has announced a partnership with Apple to build an app to help customers make smarter purchasing decisions for top-selling goods. After launching the app, shoppers can select the item they’re interested in and virtually try it out in their home through an iPhone or iPad.
Navigate to #2 Using the Right Arrow
2. Virtual Tools for Real Life
Developers have been tinkering around with ARKit since its release and have come up with nifty applications that prove how useful AR will be. AR Measure, for instance, functions as a virtual ruler so you don’t need to carry tape measure around with you. Just point your iPhone at any real-world space and tap on a point to start measuring.
Navigate to #1 Using the Right Arrow
1. New Forms of Artistic Expression
Another ARKit demo shows how AR can be used to draw in a 3D space, leaving sketches hovering in the air around you. It’s a pretty neat application that’s sure to be a hit among artists and designers. It seems that the art you can create using ARKit is limited only by your imagination.