Apple Now has the Upper Hand on Augmented Reality & App Development

Apple has been copying the ideas of other tech companies for decades, but these ideas are often executed far better when redone by the tech giant. The enterprise has managed to make their versions of old gadgets commonalities through a great deal of innovation. For instance, the presence of wireless payments and fingerprint scanning for both identification and ecommerce have been prevalent in Japan for many years, but it was only when Apple integrated these tools into its iPhones that they became worldwide phenomena.

Despite the widespread experimentation with augmented reality by companies like Google and Microsoft, many businesses are creating their own versions of the live-footage-digital-image system, and Apple is no exception. In fact, the company may place first once again in the ongoing tech war with its iOS 11 ARKit, an augmented reality program that will be compatible with its new iPhone system. With the undeniable popularity of iPhones, augmented reality could be another old concept made new by Apple.

Unfortunately, augmented reality is difficult to format universally due to the variation in devices. For it to be effective, a device with a larger screen and more advanced functions is often required. To combat this problem, Apple is finding a way to create an improved iPhone with a satisfactory augmented reality system, a feature which could intrigue buyers all on its own. If the feature is good enough, smartphone users will no longer have to download lesser augmented reality apps.

App development for apps that specialize in distance measuring may appear like an easy task, but augmented reality measuring offers a faster, more organic way of understanding your surroundings. The phone’s awareness of three dimensions make its measurements more accurate, increasing its likelihood of being the world’s biggest augmented reality platform. All you need to gain to access to this new app is a device equipped with the iOS system.

With this simple iOS system requirement, Apple’s new augmented reality program is expected to gain popularity at an impressive rate, considering just how many iPhone users now exist. It’s certainly on par with Tango, Google’s own augmented reality platform, in its structure and capabilities. But the mere reach of Apple’s version will attract consumers and developers alike.

Apple scores another point for the surprisingly short amount of time it took to create an augmented reality system that works exceedingly well. Even with its already intriguing abilities, Apple still has the chance to improve ARKit before the iOS 11 and the next-generation iPhone are officially released. Over the next couple months, the tech giant’s research allies could improve several apps by making them compatible with augmented reality, lengthening ARKit’s reach.

Even smartphone users who dismiss minor improvements often appreciate completely new features, especially if they’re high-quality. Those who currently use Tango may find that ARKit is more versatile and easier to use. Sometimes, small changes are the only kinds of changes that need to be made. Unsurprisingly, Apple will likely make another longtime trend mainstream, and it won’t be the last time it does so.