Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that blends the digital and physical worlds, allowing you to see and interact with virtual content in your real environment. AR can enhance your everyday activities, such as searching for information, shopping, learning, creating, and more. Google is one of the leading companies in developing and providing AR solutions for various platforms and devices. In this blog post, we will explore some of the features and benefits of Google's AR products and services, and how you can use them to enrich your life.
Google ARCore: The Platform for Building AR Experiences.
ARCore is Google's platform for building AR experiences across Android, iOS, Unity, and Web. ARCore enables your phone to sense its environment, understand the world, and interact with information. Some of the APIs are available across Android and iOS to enable shared AR experiences.
ARCore provides fundamental tools to help you build your AR experiences, including:
- Motion tracking, which shows positions relative to the world
- Anchors, which ensures tracking of an object's position over time
- Environmental understanding, which detects the size and location of all types of surfaces
- Depth understanding, which measures the distance between surfaces from a given point
- Light estimation, which provides information about the average intensity and color correction of the environment
ARCore also offers advanced features that help you create more immersive and realistic AR experiences, such as:
- Geospatial API, which allows you to attach content remotely to any area mapped by Google Street View and create world-scale immersive experiences in over 100 countries
- Scene Semantics, which utilizes ML models to gain a richer understanding of your surroundings and incorporate common objects
- Recording and Playback API, which enables you to record an AR session that can be replayed later with ARCore, as if it were a live recording
- Persistent Cloud Anchors, which lets you scan an indoor location and use this saved location later in your AR experience
- Streetscape Geometry, which enables you to interact, visualize, and transform building and terrain geometry for object occlusion or anchored content
Google Search: Find What You Need in 3D
One of the most popular ways to use Google's AR technology is through Google Search. You can use AR and 3D features to find what you need more confidently and conveniently. For example, you can:
- Visualize products like furniture or sneakers from all angles, right in Search, or instantly place them in your space to find the perfect fit
- Find makeup that works for you or virtually try on shades across models with a similar skin tone
- Learn about animals, dinosaurs, planets, cells, human anatomy, and more in 3D models that you can rotate, zoom in, or place in your environment
- Explore cultural artifacts, historical landmarks, famous paintings, and more in high-resolution 3D with Google Arts & Culture
To use these features, simply search for what you want on Google and look for the "View in 3D" button. Tap on it and then tap on "View in your space" to see the object in AR. You can also take photos or videos of your AR experience and share them with others.
Google Lens: See More with Your Camera
Another way to use Google's AR technology is through Google Lens. Lens is a camera app that helps you see more with your phone's camera. You can use Lens to:
- Translate text in real time or scan text from images and copy or search it
- Identify plants, animals, landmarks, products, artworks, and more by pointing your camera at them
- Scan QR codes or barcodes to get information or access links
- Get style tips or similar product suggestions by snapping a photo of clothing or home decor
- Solve math problems by scanning handwritten or printed equations
- Create digital copies of documents or receipts by scanning them with your camera
To use Lens, simply open the app and point your camera at what you want to learn about. You can also access Lens from Google Photos or Google Assistant by tapping on the Lens icon.
Google Maps: Navigate More Intuitively with Live View
A third way to use Google's AR technology is through Google Maps. Maps is a navigation app that helps you get around the world. You can use Maps to:
- Find directions for driving, biking, walking, or public transit
- Discover places nearby or around the world based on your interests
- Check traffic conditions, travel times, transit schedules, and more
- Save your favorite places or share them with others
One of the most innovative features of Maps is Live View. Live View is designed to let you use AR to help you navigate when walking. It uses the camera on the rear of the phone to identify where you are, superimposing directions and details on the display³. For example, you can:
- See arrows and directions overlaid on your real-world view to guide you along your route
- See icons and labels for nearby places like restaurants, shops, or landmarks
- See distance and arrival time information on the bottom of your screen
- See your current location and orientation on a mini map on the top right corner of your screen
To use Live View, simply open Maps and enter your destination. Tap on the walking mode and then tap on the Live View button. Follow the instructions to calibrate your phone and then start walking.
Conclusion
Google's AR technology is a new way to experience the world that can enhance your everyday activities. Whether you want to search for information, shop, learn, create, or navigate, you can use Google's AR products and services to do it more easily and enjoyably. Try them out today and see what you can discover with Google AR.