The Impact of Augmented Reality on Mobile Apps

Augmented Reality, or AR, is a technology that combines the digital and physical worlds and creates a new dimensional world through mobile apps. AR Integration in apps creates an interactive experience between users and various digital graphics and elements in their real-world environment. Technological advancement, along with high-resolution cameras and AR platforms, has allowed augmented reality to experience significant growth over the last few years.

It has also become more accessible and interactive, enhancing AR user engagement and their experience. AR technology is now increasingly adopted in various industries, such as education, healthcare, beauty, real estate, gaming, retailers, etc. This article will further explore and discuss augmented reality's impact on mobile apps.

Historical Context of Augmented Reality

The earliest development of Augmented Reality technology can be traced back to the 1960s. It is known as The Sword Of Damocles, which is a head-mounted display created by Harvard Professor Ivan Sutherland. However, it wasn’t until the 90s that the term "Augmented Reality” came into use.

By the early 2000s, AR had already made its presence in gaming, entertainment, and various learning industries. That very same year, ARQuack, the AR version of a popular game called Quack, was created. The first mobile app that used augmented reality was Wikitude, released in 2008. Gradually, more mobile apps were created and launched in the next few years, which brought a revolutionary change in Augmented Reality (AR) in mobile apps.

Here is a timeline of the advancement of AR and AR technology in mobile apps.

• 1968: Sword of Damocles - The first head-mounted display system for AR created by Ivan Sutherland.

• 1975: Videoplace - An AR lab established by Myron Krueger.

• 1990: Augmented Reality - The term was coined by former Boeing researcher Tom Caudell.

• 2000: ARQuake - The first AR version of a popular game was created.

• 2008: ARToolKit - a web-based design tool was released.
• 2013-2014: Google Glass - A significant step towards mainstream AR with wearable technology.
• 2016: Pokémon GO - A breakthrough in mobile AR gaming and created history.
• 2017: IKEA - IKEA releases its AR app that allows users to test their products virtually before purchasing.
• 2020s: Augmented reality continues to advance due to the AR applications in various industries.

AR Technology Basics

Augmented Reality (AR) is an interactive experience combining computer-generated graphics or 3D elements in a real environment or real world using digital technology. The core components of AR are:

• Hardware - sensors and devices, such as cameras, GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, and other input devices.

• Software - wearable or non-wearable output devices like glasses, helmets, smartphones, tabs, and projectors.

To make the AR work, the devices must have built-in AR software. The input devices collect data using the hardware, and the software recognizes them through the AR software framework and generates virtual content that can be seen through the display.

AR in Gaming Apps

AR has transformed the entire gaming world and introduced a realistic, multi-dimensional gaming experience. Popular AR games include Pokemon GO, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, Minecraft Earth, Ingress, Jurassic World Alive, The Walking Dead: Our World, etc. By crafting an interactive nature and using innovative game narratives, developers offer a new and immersive gaming experience. For example, Pokemon Go and Ingress allow players to explore their surroundings, while Harry Potter: Wizards Unite lets players interact with virtual graphics like wands and spells with real-world elements.

Proving such a unique experience, developers are increasing user engagement and retention. Using this opportunity, developers are monetizing these games by making users purchase in-app features, and other games offer bonuses and free items in exchange for watching ads. The global market for augmented reality gaming was USD 8.4 billion in 2022. Its CAGR is expected to grow by 30.2%, and the market size will go beyond USD 90.32 billion by 2031.

AR in Retail and E-commerce

Businesses like fashions and cosmetics joined the AR landscape to offer virtual try-ons to give customers a realistic experience. Furniture and automotive businesses allow 3D visualizations of their products. Many businesses even offer virtual in-store navigation, where customers can browse through store spaces and find the product they are looking for. Businesses and brands like IKEA, Puma, Amazon, Adidas, etc., offer users an AR shopping experience through their apps to ensure a more personalized shopping experience.

AR in Education and Training

Augmented reality has also changed the education, learning, and training processes by immersing realistic experiences, making the process more fun and effective, and increasing engagement. AR virtual classrooms offer students a remote learning experience and even allow realistic field trips.

Learning tools like Element 4D teach chemistry by allowing 4D interaction with what they created, and Anatomy 4D teaches about the human body in more detail. Another tool, Jisgspace, is the world’s highest-rated AR demonstration app. It explains pretty much everything in simple and easy steps. In some cases, augmented reality is used in corporate training applications and activities, such as orientations, onboarding, and various skill-based training.

AR in Healthcare

AR has changed the healthcare sector by offering more innovative medical training simulations. Doctors can use AR apps to see the patient’s condition in 3D, identify veins for drawing blood, learn about dental conditions, and more. Augmented reality now also assists doctors with physical therapy, rehabilitation, and surgery, making the procedure safe and ensuring faster recovery. One such case example is Johns Hopkins University performing AR surgery for spinal injury screw placement and the removal of a cancerous tumor.

AR in Real Estate

Real estate businesses have also enhanced significantly using augmented reality by allowing interactive floor plans and virtual property tours. Buyers can not only get an architectural visual of the property’s layout, but they can also “walk” through the property as if they are physically present. Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the leading real estate companies, offers enhanced user interaction with AR to tour properties so that buyers can get a realistic experience. This trend has changed the property market strategy, engaging more buyers, increasing sales, and reducing many business concerns.

AR in Tourism and Travel

With the help of augmented reality, people can experience virtual guided tours and explore their destinations. For example, Girona Guided Services offers an AR tour where people can follow the “tour on-site” and explore the museum. Another mesmerizing creation is the augmented landmark app called “Streetmuseum” by the Museum of London. Using the app, people can see overlays of historical images in various present-day locations in London. To get the most out of their visits, tourists can use various interactive travel apps, such as Google Lens, Wikitude, Guideo, AR City, etc.

AR in Social Media

Most of us are familiar with the Snapchat app, which allows us to overlay or augment reality filters with cutting-edge technology to alter our photos and videos and make things more fun. The use of mobile AR tools and platforms has enhanced social interaction and encouraged users to create their own AR content. This has been offering a high marketing value to many brands as they allow their users to interact with their products on social media using AR. Overall, the trend of AR in social media is becoming more advanced, and it is expected to surge in 2024.

AR for Navigation and Maps

Google Maps is one prime example of augmented reality navigation. Users can see their destination, learn about their surroundings using the map, and get directions in real-time. These maps help users learn about nearby locations, businesses, attractions, and ratings to find the best service. Anyone who wants to find a location indoors, such as shopping malls, airports, or large buildings, can use AR indoor navigation solutions.

AR in Marketing and Advertising

Augmented reality trends have been highly beneficial for the marketing and advertising industries. Companies create AR interactive ad campaigns where their target audience can interact with their marketing products using product visualization tools and share a unique experience. Creating engaging customer experiences leaves a long-lasting impression on the audience and helps the brand make the ad campaign successful.

Another effective AR marketing and ad success strategy involves using augmented reality technology for brand storytelling through animation, gaming, and other scenarios. This way, customers can get a glimpse of the brand’s behind-the-scenes story, which often leads to earning their loyalty.

AR Development Challenges

Even if AR is an advanced technology, there are several challenges in AR app development. Users often face technical issues, such as lower resolutions, limited field of view (FOV), latency, etc. The concept of AR is still new to many, which creates a barrier to adopting this technology. However, the biggest question regarding AR is how secure it is, especially when it comes to “try-before-buy” interaction, where a user interacts with the AR app in real time.

Moreover, AR mobile app development is still very costly, which is another reason many businesses avoid using this technology. Most of these challenges can be overcome by raising awareness and implementing strong data and privacy policies. Prioritizing essential features and reducing unnecessary ones can also help reduce the app development and maintenance costs.

Summary

Augmented reality has literally changed how we view and interact with our surroundings by creating a multi-dimensional view. It has effectively transformed education, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, real estate, and other industries. AR implementation has enriched visualization, created more engagement, enhanced user experience, and shown a world beyond imagination. With adequate awareness and knowledge, the future of mobile AR is still full of advanced possibilities as it is shaping the new world by creating a bridge between the digital and physical worlds.