It has been only a month since Google launched the ARCore 1.0 and we already have a handful of apps from android developers. If you are wondering what ARCore is, it is the Augmented Reality SDK for android from Google. So let us see the basic technology behind ARCore and some of the newly published ARCore experiences on Google Play Store.
The ARCore is a platform for building augmented reality apps on Android. This technology uses motion tracking, environmental understanding and light estimation to integrate virtual content to the real world seen through the camera. Basically, the ARCore uses the phone camera to identify interesting points aka features. Then it tracks the movement of these points over time with the help of phone camera and inertial sensors.
ARCore also estimates the lighting around it and finally builds its own understanding of the world around it. This allows you to place digital objects, annotations, or other information on the captured real world. For more information, visit Google developer section.
The Android developers have already published a handful of AR experiences which are live on play store. However, you need a supported android device with latest ARCore installed. The list of currently supported devices are Asus Zenfone AR, LG V30, LG V30+, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, OnePlus 5, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S7, and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Here are some of the AR experiences featured by Google across gaming, shopping and home, and creativity.
ARCore can bring gaming action right on to the environment around you. This unlocks the immersive gaming experience and the endless possibility of new ways to play games.
The ARCore allows us to place digital objects in real world. This is being implemented in online shopping, so that you can try out the virtual product in your environment before buying. For example, you can use the AR camera app of a retailer to virtually try out their furniture in your living room.
When it comes to creativity, AR gives a bigger canvas for illustrators, choreographers, animators and many. For this Google has worked with creators across different disciplines to explore the possibilities.
The Augmented Reality will make the camera in our smartphones smarter. Google Lens is yet another AR app that is being integrated into the apps utilizing the phone camera. This camera app uses AR Core, deep learning skills and artificial neural networks to detect and identify the things around it. The AR technology is still in its early stages, and we are yet to explore its possibilities. Hope the article was informative, Peace!