Upcoming Smartphone Technology Part 2 – Augmented Reality Apps
In our previous part, we talked about VPS Indoor Navigation. Now we will continue series by talking about Augmented Reality Apps.
Augmented Reality (AR) covers a wider range of technologies it may not always require a specialist hardware. All of these technologies revolve around massive information over imaging data from users’ camera.
The technology used for AR experience includes mobile gadgets, display systems worn on the human body (like head mount display), eyeglasses, head-up display, contact lenses, virtual retinal display, eye tap etc.
What can Augmented Reality do?
Although, virtual assistants and speech recognition are offering quick searches and reminders, augmented reality applications are being anticipated to be more contextual.
Augmented reality enhances user‘s current perception of reality, unlike virtual reality that replaces the real world with a simulated one.
Google Lens can be perceived as an example of what can be seen as a description of Augmented Reality the way we see it. This application leverages Google’s computer vision and machine learning technology to provide information about things that user is looking at. Its ability can accomplish a wide range of tasks. From things like identifying a plant type of scanning Wi-Fi access codes, or finding and presenting reviews for a restaurant that the user intends to visit.
We have seen the concept of smart assistants like Samsung’s Bixby that give us an idea of what the earliest versions of Augmented Reality could be like.
Seeing the recent developments that are presenting a more advanced version of Google’s Tango platform, it is natural for imagination and expectations to go higher. One can expect that Tango can offer endless possibilities. It can be helpful for sightseeing and education via Google Expeditions. It can help users with clothes and furniture shopping. It can map an entire room complete with textures in few seconds.
Today there are AR helmets for construction workers that can display information regarding structures and maps at construction sites.
AR also plays an important role in archeology, architecture, visual art, commerce, education, emergency management, video games, industrial design, medical sector, military sector, navigation, tourism, translation, music and lastly, broadcast and live events.
Future of Augmented Reality
It is expected that in two or three years people would be using various apps based on augmented reality.
Choose the smartphone or tablet that you would like to use in order to experience augmented reality.
Share your thoughts about augmented reality in the comments below. We will return soon with the next part of this series, covering Adaptive displays in mobile devices.