The development in mobile app technology is breaking its own new records every day. There is something or the other going on, that has the ability to transform and influence the world around us.
For instance, the launch of DIY tools like AppMySite made it easier to convert WooCommerce sites to mobile app without coding. This has enabled all businesses, big and small, to enter the mobile market and expand their reach.
That’s not all! In the recent years, many other technological trends have also evolved and taken shape that have pushed app technology many notches upwards.
One such charismatic trend is that of the AR (Augmented Reality) technology. The term ‘virtual reality’ got redefined when AR technology started revolutionizing the commercial sector and mixing the real world with the virtual without any distinct barrier.
Although the universe of AR technology and its relevance in the mobile world is quite vast, we have tried picking up and plating everything significant. Read further to discover more about this fascinating innovation.
Augmented reality: An anatomy of the innovation
As evident, Augmented Reality is a technological advancement that has a lot to keep you fascinated and wowed. We often come across it in our daily lives but do not realize the potential of it.
The concept has been relevant for years but it has not ripened yet. The journey of this technology has just begun and it is here to stay for ages to come. Even if we talk strictly in terms of mobile application, it is still evolving and becoming more pervasive each day.
Although, a full length and detailed anatomy of this technology is beyond the scope of this space, we have tried our best to carve and chisel an informative and concise picture, covering everything relevant and important.
Let us scrutinize and study the key aspects of it, in more detail:
Definition
By definition, Augmented Reality can be understood as a technology that allows us to merge the real and virtual world by enabling interactive response and communication.
It is mostly the computer-generated information that stimulates our senses and helps us perceive something that is not really a part of that particular real-world environment.
Unlike Virtual Reality, it does not create a false environment altogether, but acts as a bridge between the real and the virtual world. When coupled with mobile apps, it brings that power to our hands and makes it mobile.
Technical Aspects
Technically, a range of devices and software, when put together, constitute the setup of Augmented Reality technology. In terms of hardware components, it mainly uses input devices, sensors, a processor and a display tool or device.
As our smartphones come pre-fed with most of these hardware requirements, some updates in the software enable them for harnessing the AR technology.
In fact, the latest developments have also enabled Augmented Reality in our wearable accessories. This includes eyeglasses, head-UP display mostly being used by defence forces or pilots, and many hand held devices too.
Relevance in the mobile world
The relevance of AR technology in the mobile world is constantly growing and expanding. Some facts that strengthen this statement have been discussed below:
- The revenue through Augmented reality powered smart phones is constantly increasing
- The AR Gaming Market is set to reach the $284.9 billion landmark by the year 2023
- ARKit-only Apps registered 13 million downloads within the first six months of the release
- The revenue and popularity of AR powered devices is set to surpass VR devices
- Maximum businesses and customers desire AR powered mobile devices
Eye-catching benefits of the technology
It is needless to say that AR technology has a huge number of benefits in the mobile industry. It leverages the performance of your app and maximizes the output.
Some distinct and noteworthy advantages are as listed below:
a. Efficient resource management
AR powered apps are helping big industries in managing their resources efficiently. It gives an absolute control to businesses when it comes to managing their inventories, outlets, products, and more. They can track and access everything on apps and also fix the issues.
It also helps on demand-service providers and other industries to manage their workforce, monitor their employees and hence analyse and increase their output. In a nutshell, it channelizes your investment in time, money and resources towards maximum productivity.
b. Enhanced UI/UX
Undoubtedly, one of the most magnetic features of the AR technology is that it imparts a fascinating interface experience to mobile apps. It helps customers in feeling more connected to the app and blurs the difference between real and virtual.
Users enjoy a more enriched and frictionless navigation in a highly dynamic environment. It can also enable ‘try product’ feature in the apps and help customers in making more informed buying decisions. The incredible experience keeps them coming back for more.
c. Optimized output & sales
The increase in the performance and enhancement of the usability factor, makes your app more desirable for customers. As a result, the repeat sales increase and people start buying more from your app, and it starts earning more visibility.
Therefore, the conversions increase and give an unprecedented boost to your revenue growth. The better design, layout and AR technology powered app actions contribute in increasing the likeability of your apps, thereby optimizing the sales.
d. Futuristic brand appeal
AR technology is yet to reach its full potential and will be harnessed more in the coming days. Soon many more companies will start investing in the technology and it might also become a necessity for success.
However, as it is still new new, integrating this technology in your app will enhance its futuristic appeal. It will help your brand stand out and benefit you in the long run. It can also influence your brand value and boost recognition to keep you ahead of your competitors.
Industrial applications of Augmented Reality
Our detailed study about the AR technology will remain incomplete without knowing about its industrial relevance. This virtual tool obviously a huge relevance in shaping the real world around us.
The technology is still very young and is yet to be harnessed to its zenith. Despite this, many industries are already implementing and using AR technology to make their operations more dynamic and efficient.
Let us explore some industry-based apps, where AR technology is being predominantly used:
a. Gaming App
The masses truly, remarkably and really became aware of the wonders of AR technology by experiencing it through gaming apps like Pokémon Go. Launched in 2016, the game became the biggest mobile phenomenon as people went crazy about it.
The app allowed players to use their smartphone camera and enabled them to interact with their surroundings using a virtual map. They had to find local landmarks, customize avatars, catch Pokémon, and do more such stuff for credit score. For masses across the globe, this was probably their first major interaction with AR technology.
Ever since then, Augmented Reality has facilitated and empowered many games and continues to do so. Other honourable mentions may include ARrrrrgh, Brickspace, Ingress Prime, Knightfall AR, etc.
b. Navigation & Touring Apps
The implementation of AR technology for navigation and touring purposes, goes beyond the Google Maps that you often refer, whenever you step out. There are many other AR powered navigation and tourism apps that are making travels a memorable affair.
For instance, Wikitude is one such powerful application that is basically a development framework utilizing image recognition, tracking and geolocation facilities. It enables instant tracking and scene recognition and has received honourable mentions in many lists.
There are many other AR powered apps like Apple’s ‘flyover’ maps, Google translate, that can make your travel and navigation experiences smoother and more dynamic.
c. Real Estate Apps
The real estate industry has started using the AR technology for many innovative and useful purposes. Besides enabling interaction with property owners, architects, landlords, interior designers, etc., the apps are doing a lot more.
These apps allow users to take a virtual tour of the properties and experience it like real. For instance, if you want to filter few houses for buying a property in a different city, but cannot travel there to check it right away, you can view the entire house and the locality on your phone.
Realar Places is one such real estate app where one can transform any 2D floor plan into a 1:1 AR walkthrough. Such apps can catalyse the decision-making process and are beneficial for both sellers and buyers.
d. Home Décor Apps
It is not just the architectural elements that can be virtually experienced through apps. You can also buy interior decoration items and even furniture for decorating your household. These home décor apps enable you to test the look of certain product without actually carrying it back home.
One can just use their phone camera and merge the virtual and real images of the product and their rooms respectively, to test the product and choose the perfect one. There are a range of apps like DécorMatters, Houzz, IKEA Place, and more that make interior decoration a cakewalk.
For instance, iStaging allows consumers to make better purchase decisions by enabling trial of look, fit, placement and other factors that helps them to choose the best furniture for their dwelling places, offices, and more.
e. Utility & Entertainment Apps
The relevance of AR powered services extends to both utility and entertainment apps. We are not only using apps for entertainment purposes like chatting, gaming and more, but also harnessing it to make our lives easier and more efficient.
For instance, there are AR enabled apps that allow us try products like clothes, spectacles, shoes etc., and help us take the right purchase decisions, sometimes even remotely. In fact, it is also being used in a variety of applications like scale & measurement apps, employee management apps, music apps, code scanner apps, and more.
Even entertainment, communication and chat apps like Snapchat are making using of this technology and are constantly evolving to offer the users an experience like never before.
f. Educational Apps
One of the most promising uses of the AR technology is that in the education industry. From play school to beginners to degree level, AR powered apps are making education more fun and ecstatic. It is making learning simple and interactive.
AR powered apps also allow students and experts to test their knowledge by making practical applications to the real world. In fact, it will not be an exaggeration to state that the future of learning will be shaped by AR technology.
Apps like Elements 4D, AugThat, CoSpaces edu, etc., are making complex, abstract and difficult problems simpler. They are turning out to be a boon for teachers and students, and even for their parents.
Be ready for the future!
This was our detailed tour and study of the impact of Augmented Reality on mobile app technology. We discovered the various aspects of this trend and how it is relevant in shaping the future of mobile apps.
However, talking about the present, with or without AR technology, mobile apps have become an essential tool for businesses. It is not only enhancing the ease & accessibility for customers, but also making business operations more efficient.
If you own an online store, creating an e-commerce app can also make you future ready. To get an app for your website, you can use AppMySite free mobile app builder for iOS & Android.
It is user-friendly, smooth, intuitive, affordable and fast enough to deliver your premium app in no time. Even without any technical knowledge of coding, you can build smart & responsive native app.
Wait no more! Get an app and mark your 360-degree presence in the market now! You can keep following this space for more such entertaining and informative content. See you again soon!