Introduction to Augmented Reality
Apple has finally made its move into the world of augmented reality. The company announced ARKit, a platform that enables third-party software developers to create augmented reality experiences for iPhone and iPad apps. Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology that overlays digital images and animations onto the true world through a camera.
What is ARKit?
ARKit is a platform that was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California. Craig Federighi, senior vp of software engineering, described it as "overnight, the most important AR platform on this planet" as a consequence of the big number of people that own iOS devices. The platform was demoed by showing off digital objects equivalent to a cup of coffee, lamp, and vase that "appeared" on top of an onstage table.
Competition within the AR Market
The announcement of ARKit puts Apple in the course of a heated competition within the augmented reality market. Other big tech firms, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Snapchat, have already made significant investments in AR. Google has its Tango platform for phones and tablets, in addition to its newly-announced Google Lens, which allows people to get details about things in the true world by pointing their cameras at them.
Other AR Platforms
Snapchat and Facebook have already got AR filters that overlay digital images onto photos or videos. In April, Facebook announced its own AR platform that asks outside developers to construct experiences for its in-app camera. Microsoft has also touted its own AR technology with its HoloLens headset. Apple CEO Tim Cook has hinted at a move into AR previously, stating that "I feel AR is that big, it’s huge."
AR Apps and Games
ARKit will allow developers to create a wide selection of AR experiences, including games and apps. The company showed off what the technology would seem like with the favored AR game Pokémon Go. Apple also mentioned AR apps from Ikea and Lego, which can allow users to see how furniture and other products would look of their homes before making a purchase order.
Conclusion
The introduction of ARKit is a big move by Apple into the world of augmented reality. With its large user base and extensive developer network, Apple is well-positioned to make a serious impact within the AR market. As the technology continues to evolve, we are able to expect to see a wide selection of modern AR experiences that may change the best way we interact with the world around us.
