With the release of iOS 11, ARKit, an augmented reality development tool, will power millions of iPhones and iPads.
Apple's ARKit will become the main framework, withwith which developers will create applications of a new category – Augmented reality applications (AR applications). In some ways, the emergence of this tool can be compared to the launch of the App Store. In the case of the App Store, this was the emergence of applications for working on the touch screen; in the case of ARKit, these will become applications for working with augmented reality.
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iOS 11 hasn't come out yet, but it's alreadyThere are great demo apps popping up that use this technology. Personally, I am watching the development of this new technology with great interest, as I see great potential in it, both in the field of entertainment and in practical applications.
What's happenedARKit?
ARKit is an Apple development and will beapplication developers with the main tool that will take on the main burden of developing applications for working with augmented reality. To make this technology work, Apple uses the device's built-in camera, its processor, and some of its sensors to analyze its surroundings. The device automatically detects horizontal surfaces and allows users to place suitable objects on them. Apple also takes care of all the calculations associated with drawing shadows and all the movement when moving the camera.
Thus, for everyoneAs a developer of AR applications, there is no need to reinvent the wheel every time; you can simply use a ready-made framework and write your application on top of it. Just like with the App Store, the ARKit toolkit allows developers to focus on creativity, on creating new applications for this technology.
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Apps built with ARKit iOS willrun on devices equipped with A9 and A10 family processors. Supported device models include: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, 9.7 iPad (2017), 9.7 iPad Pro, 10.5 iPad Pro and 12.9 iPad Pro.
Now, let's move on to reviewing the demo applications that have already been created.
1. View from aboveavianflight toApple maps
So .. Apple put an awesome VR mode in Apple Maps (powered by ARKit) and didn’t even talk about it in the Keynote? Wow pic.twitter.com/2ZBBXj4NYM
— Felix Lapalme (@lap_felix) June 27, 2017
So: Apple added a VR mode to its Apple Maps app (built with ARKit) and didn't mention it during the keynote?
In iOS 11, the Maps app has a new"Bird's eye view" mode. Works for maps of a limited number of cities, but allows you to fly over them using virtual reality technology when you enable this mode in Maps.
2. Measurement applications
We are already seeing an influx of demo AR applications for measuring space, which is completely natural.
Since the ARKit toolkit allows you tocameras mark the spatial position of various objects, then in applications created on the basis of this technology, it is possible to measure the distance between them with amazing accuracy.
3. Drawing in3D
Because the ARKit toolkit doesspatial markings in three dimensions, now it is also possible to create drawings in 3D. As you move the camera, your "3D drawing" will be positioned accordingly.
4. LandingFalcon9"
Why not watch the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket land on the surface of your swimming pool?
5. A myriad of games
At the WWDC conference, during the mainpresentation, Apple showed a demo of the game, which was created using ARKit. And I suspect that this technology will mainly be used in this direction. We can already see the emergence of small playful developments that show the degree of interactivity of AR games. It will be great to play Space Conquerors or a shooter game during office hours!
Fidget spinner in ARKit pic.twitter.com/zCbvr8HOmX
— Shane ⚡️ Vitarana (@shanev) June 9, 2017
Someone went further: they created a virtual spinner using ARKit.
Virtual spinner in ARKit
Another developer used ARKit to turn parking into a real video game:
6. Interactive arts and performances
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The ARKit toolkit will helpfurther development of all kinds of performances and other types of interactive art. And the best thing about this is that there is no occupied physical space and no need to be physically present anywhere. The magic will unfold right in the middle of your living room.
7. The coolestARKit demo
Below we provide links to the coolest demo applications,created by Twitter user “Mad With ARKit.” His development, called an “interdimensional portal,” serves as proof of how developers can use the tools and different kinds of frameworks in iOS 11 to create an “immersive” experience for iPhone and iPad users.
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? Watch your step → inter-dimensional iPhone portals are closer than they appear ?https://t.co/pqc0fRhUiQARkit demo by@nedd?pic.twitter.com/zklYWr8CYk
— Made With ARKit (@madewithARKit)June 30, 2017
Bonus: New ARKit Uses
ARKit Tesla Model 3
Model "Tesla 3" from a fan who nevercan wait for the receipt of this new model and with the help of the framework ARKit created a virtual model in its real space, and on which you can turn on headlights and much more.
@elonmuskCouldn't wait 4 my# Model3, so made this AR app, what do you think? ?#ARkit pic.twitter.com/lIRLTZox7N
— Jelmer (@JelmerVerhoog)July 1, 2017
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Order food with ARKit
Developer Alper Guler created the application withusing ARKit. It allows you to display various dishes on your table, and also allows you to perform some actions with the picture: enlarge, place in different zones and more.
Basketball on your desktop
A small experiment with the placement of virtual objects in real space using ARKit.
hint pic.twitter.com/WOuqVer1Ph
— Made With ARKit (@madewithARKit) June 27, 2017
Clip A-Ha – Take On Me using ARKit
The developers created a pretty good clip onTake On Me and did it using Apple's new technology - ARKit. The result exceeded all expectations and became one of the best demonstrations of ARKit capabilities. The video itself lasts less than two minutes, but you enjoy it from the first to the last second:
Apple Maps using ARKit
Developer Andrew Hart made a demoan application showing the future of navigation with ARKit and CoreLocation on iOS 11. Augmented reality will add arrows and a blue line directly to the real world, making the path you need to go clear and obvious.
ARKit + CoreLocation, part 2 pic.twitter.com/AyQiFyzlj3
— Andrew Hart (@AndrewProjDent) July 21, 2017
Scene from the movie Using ARKit
IOS developer Abishek Singh who works withARKit platform, created a new demo, thanks to which the most terrible scene from a horror movie The call takes place right in your room. Samara completely crawls out of the TV and walks through your room.
I reenacted a famous scene from 'The Ring' to bring #horror movies to life in AR#madewithunity #ARKit pic.twitter.com/fRU2ul56ki
— Abhishek (@shekitup) February 21, 2018
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See also a selection of the best ARKit-enabled iOS apps and the best ARKit games for iOS.
What types of AR apps are you looking forward to? What is your idea to create the best AR app? We are waiting for your comments.