Developers from Apple have been interested in augmented reality technology for a long time - since version 10 of iOS, where the “roulette” tool appeared, which helped to measure the space around using only the iPhone camera.
A little later, the developers released a special software environment with which third-party authors can work with AR, and the results obtained can be added to the digital App Store.
As a result, within a week the first applications and entertainment with the effect of augmented reality appeared on virtual shelves. And although not all new products found enthusiastic audiences, some definitely deserve attention:
Wikitude
The Wikitude augmented reality browser is a kind of guide to AR applications (like any other similar browser). It operates with web applications, that is, once you log into it, you don’t need to download anything additional—everything works via the Internet. This is an obvious plus - there is one program, and everything already works in it, and for free; Other AR applications require active operation of the GPS module, which, coupled with the operation of the mobile Internet, “eats” the battery charge quite quickly. The browser has been present on the mobile market for a long time, having versions for iOS, Android and even Windows Phone, due to which it works stably and quickly, but, I repeat, only if you have a good 3G or Wi-Fi Internet at hand.
The main function of Wikitude is to search for tracks from Last.fm that were liked by users of this site in the area, attractions that can be useful even in your hometown, cafes and hotels, train stations, and even tweets that your immediate neighbors left. It's not only useful, but also fun. And yes, you can play too :).
AR on the big screen
Augmented reality on a stationary screen is much simpler and has many limitations. In general there are two options.
1) The screen is close to the viewer, and there is a lot of free space behind the screen. Then a camera is placed behind the screen, and the screen becomes a “window” through which the viewer looks. Virtual events and items are added to the usual view. The effect becomes stronger if we know in advance where the viewer will stand - then we adjust the camera so that the image is as close as possible to the view from a real window. Therefore, most often such screens are installed at public transport stops: the heads of people sitting on benches are approximately at the same level, and the screen is adjusted to them. Moreover, if you look at the screen from a vehicle, the feeling of a “window” will not arise.
2) The screen is far from the viewer; there is quite a large space in front of the screen. In this case, the camera is directed at the viewer, the screen becomes a “TV” and various activities occur with the viewer. In addition to the “Mom, I’m on TV” effect itself, we can create an activity with a specific person. To do this, we either mark a specific area on the floor where you need to stand in order to become part of a virtual event (old version), or enable facial recognition and “catch” people from the crowd programmatically (modern version).
AR fitting rooms and AR mirrors work in the same way: we see ourselves on the screen opposite, and virtual content is superimposed on top.
Zappar
Zappar is also an AR browser, but its mission seems different from Wikitude's. Zappar is the kingdom of multimedia entertainment. Thanks to a database of various tags, this program can display three-dimensional images, photographs, play music and videos associated with a specific object on the screen of your smartphone or tablet. For example, by pointing the camera at a poster, you can get the following animated clock with a bird, which responds to touches with bird trills and animation:
This poster needs a Zappar.
And if you buy a special T-shirt, then Zappar users can play tag on it, like in the video, and only the Great Developer knows what else:
This works on clothing, magazines, posters—basically anything that can accommodate a relatively flat ZapTag. The application may seem useless, however, it becomes meaningful once it reaches a certain level of public popularity and tags spread. This browser is already widely known abroad, but is not Russified and is not advertised in Russia (read: “unknown”). It is simple and allows you to spend many fun minutes exploring its capabilities, but without proper market support it will not be able to become even the slightest bit famous here. Apparently, Zappar will wait for one of the large local companies to release its augmented reality browser, and the Americans will have no chance for a big game in our big country.
IKEA Place
AR application personally recommended by Apple developers. The main idea is to “virtually furnish” a real space with objects, furniture and fittings from IKEA. New floor lamps, chairs, armchairs, tables - in just a few minutes you can turn an empty room into an inventively designed place where you want to return. Well, if the result is far from perfect, you can ask your friends for help with a special built-in scheduler.
Google Sky Map
But this is a highly specialized application, the main and only function of which is to provide the user with information about the position of stars and their clusters. It works quickly, looks great, in the light pollution of a metropolis it can be useful for seeing constellations when they are not visible in the sky, and outside the cities it will bring a little romance, will occupy you for a short time, or even, provided you have certain skills, will help you navigate the area . Sometimes, judging by user reviews on the forums, problems may arise with the magnetic compasses of devices and errors in the positions of celestial bodies, but they are rare, and in general the application works well. The program is useful as a star map, but I still wouldn’t rely on it for navigation without taking a regular compass on a hike.
AR Dragon
Have you ever wanted a little dragon? Ever wanted to let out your inner Khaleesi? The new AR Dragon simulator provides you with a baby dragon as a pet that you can interact with. Once it hatches, you will need to take care of your unique dragon. You can feed him and watch him grow older and bigger. In addition, you can play different games with the dragon.
Download : AR Dragon
Car Finder AR
A useful application for those who, either on duty or for their own pleasure, often travel by private vehicle. It, like SkyMap, performs only one function, but it is very useful in practice: it “remembers” the place where you parked your vehicle. In fact, the means can be anything (car, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle), you can even simply mark on the map the point to which you want to return: for example, you left your country house for mushrooms in the forest, marking this house on your smartphone, and if the smartphone does not die and the GPS module does not fail, then the program will take you exactly to the marked place. Since the technology for determining location using the Global Positioning System has been debugged and has been working for many years, problems should not arise either in the city or outside it.
Satellite AR
Are you planning to set up a satellite television reception system? Are you tired of wondering what kind of luminous points smoothly cruise among the fixed stars? Does your paranoia need to be constantly fed by data from Big Brother's spying eyes? If you answered “yes” to at least one question (hopefully not the last), then this program is for you. It informs any owner of a smartphone or tablet computer absolutely free of charge about the position and orbits of near-Earth communication satellites, telecommunications and other satellites, as well as the location of the International Space Station. Satellite AR has received a lot of positive reviews on Play and has turned out to be really useful for people who, for some reason, are interested in artificial Earth satellites. It has not been translated into Russian, but this cannot be considered a serious illness when the vast majority of popular augmented reality applications suffer from it to one degree or another.
Layar
In the story about augmented reality applications, one cannot ignore the Dutch project Layar, because, according to the developers, its client has been downloaded by more than 25 million people around the world. This is another augmented reality browser. Its concept is no different from the concepts of Wikitude and Zappar: there is Layar, there are web applications for it; when you open the browser, you either need to find a special mark (the best example is a page in a magazine with the service logo somewhere in the corner), when you point the camera at which the program will offer you to buy the corresponding product or show multimedia content, or select one of the applications for searching objects or information. In practice, only a few of the hundreds of web applications running in this browser will be useful to a resident of Russia, since the coverage area of most of them is far beyond the borders of the Russian Federation, but there are also interesting offers, such as navigation around St. Petersburg, the Moscow metro or searching for service points of a telecom operator MTS (hotspots, salons, etc.). The features are great; It’s just a pity that using Layar for two or three really useful functions is not very convenient, simply because working, for example, with a monofunctional separate application from MTS to search for services would be many times more convenient. But, as far as I know, there are no such AR programs from MTS. However, attention to augmented reality in domestic business circles is increasing, and their imminent craze for AR browsers is not excluded.
The best augmented reality games with geolocation
AR games with geolocation (with GPS support) are the most exciting type of augmented reality games. They use the real world map and your location to create a unique gaming environment. Such games often have a plot, fantastic creatures and a quest component.
Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO is the legendary Niantic game that introduced the world to the very concept of AR games. The nostalgia of players for the world of Pokemon allowed the game to set several Guinness records, and the developers to receive incredible income.
Pokemon GO is an AR game based on the player's geolocation. Thus, the whole real world becomes a field of battle and adventure! You catch and train Pokémon, and battle other players' Pokémon in Gyms. You participate in raids with other players and complete exciting quests. Most people already know very well that this is a game, and if you don’t know, then you should definitely play it.
Pokémon GO
Price: Free
The app was not found in the store.
Go to store Google websearch
Attention! The game was never officially released in Russia, so you won’t be able to download it from official stores. However, you can easily do so using an alternative method.
Ingress
If you think that Pokemon GO was the first good AR game, then you are mistaken. Pokemon GO developer Niantic released the Niantic game back in 2012. It is also based on geolocation.
Scientists have discovered dark matter, which has enormous power. There are 2 factions that have different attitudes towards this matter and pursue different goals. The Enlightened Ones want to use this matter to control humanity, while the Resistance agents try to protect the world from dark matter. You must choose a side, find and capture important strategic points - portals. Portals are scattered all over the world. It depends only on you which faction will win!
Ingress Prime
Price: Free
The app was not found in the store.
Go to store Google websearch
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is a free-to-play augmented reality game that will use the player's location to build gameplay. It is inspired by the Harry Potter franchise and is being developed by Niantic (creators of Pokemon GO) and Portkey Games, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The release date for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is the second half of 2020.
Players will be able to visit real world locations to learn and cast new spells, battle legendary beasts, and meet familiar characters from the world of Harry Potter. Naturally, some of the mechanics will be borrowed from other Niantic games - Pokemon GO and Ingress.
Considering the popularity of Harry Potter in Russia and the CIS, the game is doomed to success.
Join the Russian-speaking Harry Potter: Wizards Unite community to learn more about the game. Join the VK group or read the Telegram channel.
Jurassic World Alive
Jurassic World Alive is a new augmented reality (AR) game due out in spring 2020. Jurassic World Alive is based on the Jurassic Park franchise and is being developed by Ludia and Universal Studio.
In this game you will become one of the recruits from the Dinosaur Protection Group. You will need to look for and protect dinosaurs, which can be anywhere on the planet. After obtaining the individual's DNA, the player will be able to genetically modify the dinosaur and begin breeding new individuals in the laboratory. A PvP mode is also announced, which is good news.
We will definitely inform you about the release of the game on GOpokemonGO.ru and join us!
Ghostbusters World
Ghostbusters World is another AR game based on a major franchise, which will be released in 2020. Tell me, who hasn’t dreamed of becoming one of the ghost hunters and clearing their city of evil disembodied creatures? Ghostbusters World will give us this opportunity! Just like in Pokemon GO, players will use their smartphones to catch “ghosts, spirits and apparitions” from a wide variety of branches of the Ghostbusters franchise - from movies, TV shows, comics, theme parks and video games. There will also be new ghosts created specifically for Ghostbusters World. The game will be released in 2020
We will definitely inform you about the release of the game on GOpokemonGO.ru and join us!
Sharks In The Park
Sharks In The Park is an amazing experience for adults and children. You can turn any place in the real world into a fantasy world of extraordinary animals and unforgettable landscapes. You will be amazed at what you see. Go ahead, create your own incredible world!
Sharks in the Park
Price: Free
Sharks in the Park
Price: Free
Temple Treasure Hunt
Temple Treasure Hunt is a geolocation-based augmented reality game for Android for lovers of mysteries and myths. You can play outside or in the room. You have to choose a role: treasure protector or treasure hunter. As a treasure protector, you must hide the treasure, like a hunter, you must find it. Indian mythological characters will guard the treasures. The game uses a real world map.
Treasure Temple Game
Price: Free
WallaMe
The WallaMe game combines AR technology with geolocation and interesting social quests that allow people to leave hidden messages to each other in the real world! Users take photos of a real place in the real world (street, wall, road), and then add tests, drawings or graffiti to the photo. The user can then share the location with their message to the whole world or just to their friends so that they can come to that place and see your message.
There are no ads or purchases in the app - it's completely free! It’s great that any of your messages can be both public and private. All another person needs to read it is an Android or iOS smartphone and the WallaMe game installed.
WallaMe - Augmented Reality
Price: Free
WallaMe - Augmented Reality
Price: Free
SpecTrek
Aimed at those who love a healthy lifestyle, the SpecTrek app makes morning runs meaningful. It offers you to simultaneously be in the shoes of a sprinter at an orienteering competition and rid the world of a dozen virtual ghosts. The game has statistics, awards, titles, record tables, and to get all the fun you need to be in good physical shape and prepare for the bewilderment of others who can in their own way appreciate a person running with a smartphone at the ready and turning sharply in the most unexpected places. Tested: it delights others as soon as they realize that this is not just a dumb shooter with a camera. I can call SpecTrek the best augmented reality application I know.
AR Balloons
“A completely useless app” is probably what I would have said if there hadn’t been an element of augmented reality in the simplest game of popping 2D balloons. With the help of AR Balloons, you can stretch your body sitting in an uncomfortable office chair, you can hold entire competitions, doing the most useless thing in the world - rest, which sometimes comes in very handy.
Junaio
And again, after downloading the .apk from Play, you are presented with an augmented reality browser. This one, so to speak, out of the box showed me tags with locations and buildings located not far from my GPS coordinates, but in fact it turned out to have very few registered tags for Samara (this is a common disease, it will go away with time). Nevertheless, I still showed some, and that’s already good. In addition, like other browsers, it can scan QR codes and images, searching for matches on the Internet, launch games and other web applications that third-party developers have given it, and at the same time it is very convenient. The impression was spoiled by two important points: firstly, for some reason it communicated very slowly with my unloaded Wi-Fi and could launch one application for several minutes, and secondly (and the first can probably be linked with the second), sometimes inadequately responds to commands, which clearly indicates errors in the interface. For now, Junaio is almost unusable, but the project has a future.
AR on the phone - a detailed description of the capabilities
Augmented reality on phones and tablets is based on the fact that the phone processes information from different sources, thus determining its position in space and placing a virtual object on the screen in accordance with it. Pokemon Go uses GPS, compass and gyroscope. QR code recognition appeared in the 2000s, and tools for creating AR based on image tags appeared in the early 2010s. Instagram has learned to see faces.
Modern systems not only recognize some elements in the image, but have learned more: they can recognize flat surfaces, remember their relative positions and, based on this, build a virtual model of the surrounding space. To be precise, such tools appeared 3 years ago, but now, firstly, they have begun to work much better and more accurately, and secondly, there are many more phones and tablets that support such tools.
Thanks to this, precise indoor navigation is now possible. You can leave a virtual item in a room, leave, come back, and the phone will recognize the room and put the virtual item in its place.
In theory, we can teach the camera to recognize any objects - the OpenCV computer vision libraries are publicly available. In practice, there is a tool that allows you to recognize hands (although it requires modification with a file for a specific task), which is used by jewelry brands; ears are less well recognized for the same purposes.
Also, systems for tracking three-dimensional objects are gradually appearing; now they work only with the simplest objects (cylinder, cube, etc.). To teach to “see” complex objects, you need to train the AI on this particular subject.
It is especially worth mentioning such a feature as tracking light levels. The feature is available on devices that support ARCore and ARKit - these are developer tools and standards introduced by Google and Apple for Android (iOS) devices for creating augmented reality effects. Phones that support these standards not only embed objects into their surroundings, but also apply shadows in accordance with the lighting. This is especially noticeable on “shiny” virtual objects. Thus, virtual objects look more natural and stand out less among real objects.
Historypin
In my short review, I couldn’t ignore the unique Historypin browser, which shows a retrospective of cities around the world in the form of photographs and encyclopedic references. Having turned it on in Samara, I was surprised to find that we did not have a single mark. There is no point in blaming the program because of this, because it is assumed that the pictures are uploaded by the browser users themselves - any person or organization can add to the database about their hometown (a precedent for large-scale replenishment was recently created by the MTS company together with the Irkutsk Museum of History). It’s easy to see the picture of Historypin’s expansion into Russian territory directly from the Google world map running in the application - the closer Europe is, the more photos there are. Moscow, St. Petersburg and Izhevsk stand out sharply, and only in the capital the number of photographs slightly exceeds a hundred, while all the others did not reach fifty. In the cities of the European Union there are many hundreds, that is, walking around Berlin, for example, with such an application would be nice.
