We’re all looking forward to Apple’s AR glasses, but we don’t have to wait at all. This is already possible with augmented reality.
Augmented reality 2021: just with your iPhone
We look forward to Apple’s next big new product: smart glasses. Apple is working on glasses for virtual reality and augmented reality. The ultimate goal seems to be unobtrusive glasses that add digital elements to reality. This is also called mixed reality.
Still, you don’t have to wait for these glasses to use augmented reality. That is now also possible, just with your iPhone. In this article we explain the possibilities.
Play games
Gamemaker Niantic is king of the AR games. It all started with the game Ingress, but since Pokémon GO, the studio has really been on the map. Since then, the company has tried to repeat this trick several times, but with less success. Consider, for example, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
The idea behind these games is that you go into the real world to complete assignments and fight monsters. These monsters can be placed in the real world via augmented reality via the camera and the screen of your smartphone. The technology behind this keeps getting better, making the AR creatures look more beautiful and also deal realistically with the environment.
The next hit game attempt is inspired by the Settlers of Catan board game featuring Catan: World Explorers.
Learn about animals and the human body
If you search for animals via Google, you can now place these animals in your home from the search engine via augmented reality. Then you suddenly sit next to a tiger or a bear. This is a much more fun way for children to learn about animals than through pictures in a book.
The Visible Body apps are also interesting. These apps are a bit on the expensive side and mainly intended for professionals such as physiotherapists, but the apps contain the most impressive augmented reality options.
Take the Muscles & Kinesiology app. In this app you can see all the muscles and bones of the human body and put them in motion. Via augmented reality you place the digital body in the real world, where you can view everything up close and walk around it. Very educative!
Try a tattoo
Getting a tattoo is a big step. Once the work of art is on your body, it is difficult to get rid of it. That’s why you have to think about it very carefully. To get an idea of ​​how it is, you can download the InkHunter app.
The app uses a fun system to get the pictures on your arm. You must first draw a smiley where you want the tattoo. The smiley is then exchanged for the tattoo in the app via the camera. There are a number of designs to try for free, but you have to pay for the full range.
Try IKEA furniture
IKEA is one of the forerunners in the field of augmented reality. With the app it is possible to digitally place a selection of furniture in your home. Especially now that it is more difficult to physically visit IKEA, this can be a godsend.
Measuring is knowing
With the Measuring app from Apple you can measure everything without a tape measure. You do this by pointing to two points via your iPhone screen. Then a tape measure appears over the object via augmented reality.
Invite a piano teacher
Learning the piano can be difficult, but taking on a teacher is a very big step. This app comes to the rescue with augmented reality teacher. He puts his hands on your real piano, so that you can see exactly how you should move your hands.
The app also adds notes that scroll from top to bottom, making playing the piano almost like a game. You have to figure out how to hold your device if you need both hands to play the piano.
Dive into a Rembrandt painting
The anatomy lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, one of Rembrandt’s most famous paintings, can be experienced in a whole new way through augmented reality. With this application you literally step into the painting and learn about the stories.
Everything about Apple glasses
Augmented reality will of course only become really practical if it all happens through glasses instead of the screen of our smartphone. What exactly is Apple doing with regard to its glasses? We list the eight most important rumors about Apple’s AR glasses. Subscribe to the iPhoned newsletter to receive all the news about Apple glasses in your inbox.