As Apple and Google Compete in Augmented Reality, Each Has Distinct Strengths
Google, which just launched a new AR mode for Google Maps, should have a powerful set of cloud services available for AR headsets. But Apple might be able to offer unmatched hardware, as well as tight iPhone integration.
When a user lifts up his or her phone while the AR mode is engaged, more than half the screen shows a rear-camera view with superimposed AR content such as arrows and street names. The rest of the screen shows a traditional Maps view, with a blue arrow and dots letting users know their current location and planned route. ...it's meant to be a complement in urban areas where a phone's GPS and digital compass may not be completely reliable.
Services such as Lens and Maps' AR mode highlight how well-positioned Google, aided by its user data, Maps data, knowledge graph and arguably unmatched machine learning strengths, is to deliver a powerful set of cloud services for mass-market augmented reality headsets. In addition to Lens and Maps, Google's ability to integrate Google Assistant, which frequently comes out on top in voice assistant tests, into an AR headset platform is a valuable strength. And so is its ability to bake in services such as Gmail and YouTube.
On the other hand, Apple, which just named a long-time iPhone marketing exec its first AR marketing chief and is reportedly prepping an AR/VR headset that could launch in 2020, has a different set of AR strengths. Chief among them is Apple's superb mobile hardware and chip engineering capabilities, which could make a huge difference in an AR headset market where -- though progress is gradually being made -- current products (such as Google Glass and Microsoft's (MSFT - Get Report) first-gen HoloLens) tend to have major limitations in terms of processing power, display quality, portability and/or battery life. With regards to display quality in particular, Apple's 2018 acquisition of Akonia Holographics, a startup that was working on AR lenses, should help its cause.
See the full story here: https://www.thestreet.com/opinion/google-and-apple-compete-augmented-reality-14863645
Snapchat augmented reality turns empty store into virtual Lego shop
Augmented reality technology is being used to transform an empty store into a virtual Lego clothing shop that customers can explore on their smartphone using Snapchat.
A pop-up shop selling a limited-edition Lego Wear clothing line for adults opens in Fitzrovia, London today only, but the physical building is actually empty, except for a Snapcode that Snapchat users can scan on their way in, transporting them into a virtual Lego boutique.
Snapchat’s AR technology allows people to move around and see different parts of the store on their smartphone screens, which includes an interactive DJ booth, an arcade machine and the ability to look through the clothing range displayed on Lego mannequins.
The one-day event, which takes place at 55 Eastcastle Street from 10am to 5pm, will allow people to buy products online through an integrated “Shop now” feature in the app.
See the full story here: https://www.expressandstar.com/news/viral-news/2019/02/13/snapchat-augmented-reality-turns-empty-store-into-virtual-lego-shop/
10 best ARKit apps: Our pick of iOS augmented reality apps
PhilNote: Here are the 3 apps that don't involve placing or measuring things. There are links to all 10 in the article.
3. Giphy World
If you love GIFs, check out the repository Giphy. Its latest app, Giphy World, lets you add AR-powered 3D GIFs to the world around you and you can record video, too. You then share your creations with friends who also have the app, enabling you to communicate in AR.
7. NightSky
Night Sky lets you identify stars, planets, constellations, and satellites. It has a "Grand Orrery" premium feature (costs £1.99/$1.99 a month) that lets you see the Solar System in your home. You can walk around it, zoom in on planets, and explore - all in AR.
9. Fitness AR
This app uses social fitness-tracking app Strava's API. With Fitness AR, athletes can see their routes on a 3D terrain map powered by Mapbox. Another cool feature is screen recording. With it, you pan and zoom through routes and create a video that can be shared.
See the full story here: https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/142315-best-arkit-enabled-augmented-reality-apps-for-iphone-ipad
Not Impossible Lab
Founded on the principle of Technology for the Sake of Humanity, Not Impossible Labs LLC is a one-of-a-kind, award winning technology incubator and content studio dedicated to changing the world through technology and story.
Current technology initiatives include:
- Music: Not Impossible. A “surround body” music experience featuring innovative Vibrotextile™ technology. M:NI wearables provide music access to the deaf community and an enhanced music experience for all.
- Vaccine: Not Impossible. Overcoming the "Last Mile" obstacles that prevent vaccines from reaching remote communities .
- Absurdity Projects. The Absurdity Program is how Not Impossible crowd-solves issues of inability and inaccessibility looking to provide low cost solutions that allow the most vulnerable among us to survive and thrive. From "blind skateboarding" to designing a light weight power wheelchair, we run our program to discover an absurdity and solve for 'One'.
- Not Impossible Awards. The Not Impossible Awards recognizes the work and stories of people and companies who share Not Impossible's mission to create technology for the sake of humanity.
See the full story here: https://www.notimpossible.com
Budget Airline easyJet Packs Augmented Reality Luggage Checking Feature into Its Mobile App
See the full story here: https://mobile-ar.reality.news/news/budget-airline-easyjet-packs-augmented-reality-luggage-checking-feature-into-its-mobile-app-0193551/
Apple Ramps Up Augmented Reality Efforts with New AR Marketing Chief
According to a new report by Bloomberg, Apple has appointed company veteran Frank Casanova to the position, which will oversee “all aspects of Product Marketing for Apple’s Augmented Reality initiative.”
Is Google Maps what augmented reality has been waiting for?
Beta testing AR walking directions with Local Guides. Now, with the impending introduction of AR into Google Maps, we may see a product that could have a massive impact. At Google’s 2018 developer conference, the company previewed Google Lens-like AR features offering improved walking directions and place information through the smartphone camera.
Google is now actively testing augmented walking directions. The company said today in a blog post, “We’re starting to test this feature with select Local Guides, a small group of Google Maps enthusiasts around the world who we know will offer us the feedback about how this approach can be most helpful. Like other AI-driven camera experiences such as Google Lens (which uses the camera to let you search what you see), we believe the ability to overlay directions over the real world environment offers an exciting and useful way to use the technology that already exists in your pocket.”
Why should you care. Google Maps is one of seven Google products that claims more than a billion users globally. Google is one of only a very small number of companies — the others being Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft — that can roll out practical AR applications to hundreds of millions of people simultaneously.
Most previous AR applications were about novelty or offered poor user experiences. Mapping and visual local search have obvious utility and should be widely adopted, if or when they are generally released. And if we assume that AR walking directions and other features make into Maps, it’s a safe bet that some form of AR monetization — aka paid marketing opportunities — will follow in time.
See the full story here: https://searchengineland.com/is-google-maps-what-augmented-reality-has-been-waiting-for-311957
Rock ‘N Roll Fantasy: How Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Can Transform Live Entertainment
Hamilton-Ryker Uses Virtual Reality To Assess And Train Workers On Forklifts
Virtual Reality (VR) is revolutionizing training, and Hamilton-Ryker's (H-R) newest division TalentGro® is taking full advantage of this new technology. The company is using VR Forklifts to assess proficiency and provide training to both temporary employees and clients' direct employees. Hamilton-Ryker has VR Forklifts at offices in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, but the units can be transported anywhere.
See the full story here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hamilton-ryker-uses-virtual-reality-to-assess-and-train-workers-on-forklifts-300793553.html
NextVR Delivers Virtual Reality Highlights of the National Hot Rod Association
NextVR, the Official VR Partner of NHRA, will launch the exclusive partnership by releasing a virtual reality experience captured at the 2018 Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, CA. Content captured includes digital highlight packages produced by NextVR in a 3D stereoscopic VR format. This content is now available for free to fans globally on a new NHRA channel within the NextVR app.
Danny Keens, VP of Content at NextVR
See the full story here: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2019/02/11/nextvr-delivers-virtual-reality-highlights-of-the-national-hot-rod-association/