The upcoming iOS 11 will unlock an unprecedented amount of possibilities in the field of Augmented Reality (AR). But what is Augmented Reality? Not to be confused with Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality uses the existing environment and superimposes digital information on it. For example, Pokémon Go uses this technology. But so far, the rest of the Augmented Reality application market has not been so successful.VR, on the other hand, has been more successful with developers and users. VR is a fully virtual environment that allows total user immersion. Oculus Rift, for example, showed what VR is capable of and how popular it can be. While VR has gained notoriety, Apple has seen the enormous potential of Augmented Reality, and is therefore looking to incorporate it in a meaningful way into future iOS updates.
The launch of iOS 11 and the
new iPhone 8
Lately, Apple has scheduled the release of iOS 11 for September 13, a day
after the release of iPhone 8, with a strong focus on AR application
development and support. One of the new features highlighted in iOS 11 is the
ARKit. The ARKit simplifies the development of AR applications by optimizing
the operating system interface for the developer. As a result, developing AR
applications becomes much easier and faster. In addition, the ARKit is open to
everyone. Over the past few years, Apple has acquired a few companies with
experts in AR technology (namely PrimeSense, Flyby Media and Metaio). Metaio,
for example, had a working platform that served as the basis for Apple's recent
AR breakthrough. With this new technology, the potential of AR is increasing
exponentially. In comparison, Google introduced an equivalent ARCore, but its
implementation on different devices is rather a drawback. There are rumors that
Apple will also introduce AR glasses, in order to have the edge over AR's
potential. However, Apple wants to be sure that consumers will take an interest
in it when the iPhone 8 is released. Google had already tried this with its
Google Glasses, which fell short of high expectations. However, the ARKit could
solve many of the problems that limited the potential of previous Augmented
Reality applications.
Capacities, uses and
examples of augmented reality
The ARKit has already been
used by many companies and the results have been extremely impressive, even in
their early stages of development. Examples include: IKEA: Customers will be
able to place the furniture virtually in their home before purchasing it Mine
craft: players will be able to merge the physical environment with that of the
virtual world of Minecraft.RA measurement: Users will be able to measure their
physical environment using a very precise virtual meter. Navigation using RA:
Users can see directions indicating their destination right in front of them.
Other examples include AR tattoos, demonstrative instructions for all types of
household appliances, restaurant menus, an AR version of your newly built home.
And educational or tourist applications and real-time Google translation of
texts on your phone. An already common and familiar example is Snap chat with
its Snap chat Filters.
Benefits for the customer
These examples are the products of the first step in the operation of
ARKit. As the popularity of ARKit increases, users will see more and more Augmented
Reality apps with increasingly innovative features. These will have
entertaining, informative, useful functions, and provide an exceptional user
experience. As Apple CEO Tim Cook has said, Augmented Reality could be as
revolutionary as the smartphone itself. The possibilities are endless: from
comparing the price of brands in the supermarket with that of other
supermarkets, to recognizing places, and even people. However, this new
technology poses new problems related to laws and regulations. For example, it
could allow face recognition, but that would probably be a violation of the
rules. Another example in the field of gaming, as Pokémon Go was becoming very
popular; questions regarding user behavior during gaming were raised. Despite
this, Augmented Reality pushes the boundaries of entertainment, those of the
transmission of information and its usefulness. So, if used correctly by
businesses, consumers could see great benefits. The IKEA app is just one
example of the power of Augmented Reality, demonstrating that it delivers
exceptional value to the customer.
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How Businesses Can Benefit
From Combined Augmented Reality With iOS 11
Augmented Reality will add value to a company's offering. The vast
majority of businesses already have apps on multiple platforms. But from now
on, the insertion of Augmented Reality on these apps, or even their development
in Augmented Reality, will become much easier. With ARKit, Augmented Reality
apps will be more accessible and potentially cheaper to develop because more
developers will have access to a Maven Digital Top
augmented reality development Company in Dubai interface that is more efficient and easier
to use. For example, for bespoke and personalized products, customers will be
able to see an example before their production and, therefore, will be able to
refine their specific requirements, thereby ensuring a quality product. Thus,
companies will be able to add value to their offer by improving the customer
experience. As new Augmented Reality apps are created, thanks to ARKit, the
overall usage of Augmented Reality apps will increase. Therefore, it is
increasingly important for companies to consider entering it, whatever the
field in which they operate.
The future of augmented
reality
Its importance is supported by statistics: the revenues generated by
Augmented Reality are expected to grow year by year. When iOS 11 is released,
it could become the largest Augmented Reality application platform in the
world. For consumers, it will be as easy as installing an update for their
iPhone or iPad. Perhaps it will have as big an impact as the introduction of
the smartphone. Before the latter, there was still some uncertainty as to
whether it would thrive. The same could be said for Augmented Reality. If it
succeeds, it will likely be one of the most important new technologies of the
21st century.