Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that enriches our perception of the real world by superimposing virtual information, such as images, videos and texts, on our field of vision.What are augmented reality applications? Augmented reality apps are programs that use AR technology to create real-time interactive experiences. These apps can be used on various devices such as smartphones, tablets and augmented reality glasses.
Benefits of Augmented Reality Apps
AR applications have numerous practical applications, including education, tourism, advertising, entertainment, and more. They offer interactive and immersive experiences that improve our interaction and understanding of the world around us.
How to use augmented reality applications?
To use augmented reality apps, you'll need a compatible device, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or augmented reality glasses. Most of these apps are easy to use, just install the app, open your device camera and focus on the desired object or place.
Best Augmented Reality Apps for Android and iOS
Google Lens:
Google Lens is an augmented reality application developed by Google. It uses your smartphone's camera and machine learning to identify objects and text in the physical environment. The idea is to provide useful information or relevant actions based on what is recognized.
See some of the main features of Google Lens:
- Object Identification: Google Lens can recognize a wide variety of objects in the real world, such as plants, animals, and products. When pointing the smartphone's camera at an object, Lens tries to identify what it is and provides relevant information. For example, if you point the camera at a plant, Lens may be able to identify the species and provide information about it.
- Text Reading: Google Lens is capable of reading text in images. This can be used for various purposes, such as translating foreign text, copying text from a business card to your phone contacts, or searching for products online by pointing to the product text.
- Marker Identification: Google Lens can recognize famous brands and logos, and provide relevant information or links based on that.
- Location Recognition: By pointing the camera at a famous landmark or location, Google Lens can identify the location and provide historical or current information about it.
IKEA Place:
IKEA Place is an augmented reality app that allows users to view IKEA furniture and products in their home before purchasing them. The app is designed to help customers make more informed purchasing decisions by allowing them to see how furniture would fit in their home.
To use IKEA Place, you select a product from IKEA's extensive range of furniture and accessories. After choosing the item, you can use your smartphone's camera to choose a location in your home where you would like to see the furniture. The app then uses augmented reality to insert a 3D image of the product into the space.
AR Ruler App:
The AR Ruler App is an augmented reality tool that allows you to measure objects and distances using your mobile device. It uses your device's camera and AR technology to add a virtual ruler to your real environment, allowing you to take accurate measurements.
One of the main features of the AR Ruler App is the ability to measure the length, height and width of objects. Just open the app, point the camera at the object you want to measure, and tap reference points on it. The app will detect the selected points and provide the corresponding measurement in units such as centimeters or inches.
Additionally, the AR Ruler App also offers the option to measure distances between different points in the environment. For example, you can measure the distance between two walls, the width of a room, or even the height of a building. Just select the reference points and the application will measure the distance between them.
Star Walk 2:
Star Walk 2 is an astronomy app available for mobile devices that allows you to explore the starry sky and learn more about the universe. It offers several interesting features for astronomy enthusiasts.
One of the main features of Star Walk 2 is its ability to identify stars, planets, constellations, satellites and other celestial bodies in real time. With the help of augmented reality technology, you can point your device at the sky and the app will overlay detailed information about the objects being viewed.
The app also provides complete information about celestial bodies, including scientific data, curiosities, mythological stories and interesting facts. It offers a vast database with millions of stars, constellations, planets, moons and other objects, allowing you to explore the universe interactively.
Just a Line:
Just a Line is an augmented reality app that allows users to draw in a three-dimensional space using their mobile devices.
When opening the app, the device's camera is activated and displays the scene in real time. The user can tap the screen and start drawing in the environment around them. The most interesting thing is that these drawings remain anchored in space, allowing other people to see and interact with them even after leaving the application.
Just a Line uses ARCore technology, Google's augmented reality platform, to track the environment and position drawings accurately. This creates the illusion that the drawings are actually there, even if they are only visible through the mobile device.
The app also allows users to record short videos of their drawings in action, capturing the entire augmented reality experience to share with others. In addition, Just a Line has a sharing function, which allows you to send drawings to friends and family, so that they can also see and interact with them.
BBC Civilizations AR:
BBC Civilizations AR is an augmented reality application designed to provide users with an interactive and immersive experience with historical and cultural artefacts. AR combines real-world elements with virtual elements, allowing users to see and interact with 3D objects using their mobile devices.
BBC Civilizations AR features are designed to provide an educational and engaging experience. One of the key features is the ability to view and explore historical artifacts in three-dimensional detail. For example, you can use the app to bring ancient statues, famous paintings or historical objects to life and observe them from different angles. This allows you to see minute details that would normally be difficult to notice in a physical exhibit.
Furthermore, the application also offers additional information about the displayed objects. You can learn about the history behind each item, its cultural origins, and even hear narration from experts for more in-depth context. This makes the experience more educational and enriching.
Quiver:
The Quiver app is an augmented reality platform designed to provide an interactive and educational experience for children. It combines real-world elements with virtual elements, allowing kids to bring 2D drawings to life through 3D animations.
One of the main features of the Quiver app is the ability to print special drawings available for download on the Quiver website or in themed coloring books. Children can color the drawings with colored pencils or pens, just like in a traditional coloring book. They can then use their mobile device's camera with the Quiver app to digitize the drawing.
Once the drawing is scanned, the Quiver app detects the colors and patterns present in the drawing and applies corresponding 3D animations. This makes the drawings come to life on the device's screen, providing an interactive and fun experience for children. They can see 3D characters, objects and scenes that interact with the environment around the drawing.
In addition, Quiver also offers options for interacting with virtual elements. Kids can tap the screen to interact with characters and objects, moving them, rotating them, or even changing their appearance. This encourages creativity and exploration, allowing children to actively engage with the virtual world.
AR Dragon:
The AR Dragon app is an exciting augmented reality experience that allows users to interact with and care for an adorable virtual dragon. With AR Dragon, you can get the feeling of having a pet dragon through the screen of your mobile device.
One of the main features of AR Dragon is the ability to create and customize your own dragon. You can choose from several appearance options, such as wing color, size, and style, and you can give your dragon a name. This customization allows you to create an emotional bond with your virtual dragon and make it unique.
Once the dragon is created, you can interact with it in the real world using your device's camera. AR Dragon uses AR technology to superimpose the image of the virtual dragon onto its surroundings, allowing you to see it fly, land and walk as if it were there.
Furthermore, AR Dragon allows you to take care of your virtual dragon. You can feed him, play with him, teach him tricks and even dress him up with fun accessories. As you interact with the dragon, it develops a personality and responds to your actions in a unique way, which makes the experience more immersive and engaging.
SketchAR:
SketchAR is an augmented reality app designed to help artists, enthusiasts, and beginners improve their drawing skills. With SketchAR, you can transform any flat surface into an interactive drawing guide using AR technology.
One of the main features of SketchAR is the projection of reference images into the real environment. Using your mobile device's camera, the app maps the surface you want to draw on and projects an image or guide sketch directly onto it. This allows you to use the designed drawing as a reference while creating your own work of art.
Additionally, SketchAR also offers useful tools such as contour lines and reference points that help maintain proportion and accuracy in your drawing. These tools help users develop their observation skills and more accurately reproduce the shapes and details of reference images.
The SketchAR app also offers interactive learning features. For example, it provides step-by-step tutorials where you can learn drawing techniques, from basic concepts to advanced techniques. Additionally, SketchAR allows users to share their creations, receive feedback from the community, and even participate in challenges and competitions.
Augmented reality apps are revolutionizing the way we interact with the world around us. Whether it's learning, playing or exploring, the possibilities with AR are endless. So, with new applications constantly being released, the future of AR is bright and exciting.
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