When the new iPhone line was released, Apple once again showed its natural knack for innovation and evolving products in ways that no one saw coming.
What made headlines this time around wasn’t the sleek-looking design or a lack of a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. Rather, what made headlines was the new iPhone’s augmented reality functionality.
The iPhone’s new trio of phones now have made history as the first phones to really bring forth augmented reality to the masses. Augmented reality, also known as AR, is the use of computer technology to overlay statistics, images, videos, and other content over views of images of real life.
The topic of augmented reality is one that has been commonly discussed among technology thought leaders for ages, but hasn’t quite entered the scope of mainstream consumers until recently.
Today, more people than ever before have become interested in augmented reality, and Apple is starting to introduce people to this impressive tech. But, how will augmented reality be received by content producers?
Hasn’t the iPhone Failed at AR so Far?
Prior to the new iPhone’s release, developers were already hard at work to create programs to whet users’ appetites for the most immersive way to experience technology ever released. The first programs included augmented reality navigation, games that allow you to improve your basketball skills, and special AR versions of Pokemon Go!
Those who have tried the tech have seen impressive results, especially when it came to programs designed to improve skills. College basketball teams who have used augmented reality during their practice have noticed serious improvements in their shooting skills. Educators who have been given AR to aid in student learning have also seen a higher rate of engagement.
This is all well and good, but will augmented reality continue to be used? More importantly, will AR be developer-friendly enough to stick around? Absolutely.
Augmented Reality x Apple
Augmented reality allows people to blur the lines between real life and their virtual selves, and that’s actually pretty impressive. This allows people to engage with the world around them while still engaging with the content that technology places in front of them. Saying that it could enhance people’s’ experiences is an understatement.
The uses of augmented reality are limitless, and the iPhone is quickly proving that fact to mainstream consumers. As consumers slowly begin to realize the potential that augmented reality has, they will undoubtedly start to demand it by name and use it as part of their day-to-day life.
When more people demand augmented reality, developers will not have much of a choice aside from creating more programs using AR technology. AR program development will become an in-demand skill set, which in turn, will become a huge job market as years pass. Needless to say, the concern that developers won’t be interested in creating AR programs is not a realistic one.
Some experts, such as AR marketing guru Reekita Gala, are totally confident that the iPhone is just the first step towards a commercial world that’s centered around AR. She explained, “We are already seeing people utilize augmented reality for sales purposes in select groups. It’s only a matter of time before the practice becomes mainstream.”
The moment the iPhone’s newest incarnations hit store shelves was the moment that everything in augmented reality changed. It’s no longer a niche form of technology, nor is it the stuff of science fiction anymore. It’s here. It’s going to be huge, and it’s going to find its way into the lives of just about every person you meet.
