The eclipse is coming, and Bryan and Jeff have some tips for viewing it. They also explore practical limitations on augmented reality (AR) without the help of specialized eyeware. For a bookend, they deconstruct a new rumor about a supposed Apple television set. Spoiler, it ain’t happening.
Augmented Reality
Watch All of the ARKit Demos We Can Find in one Place
ARKit, Apple’s answer to augmented reality (AR) on iOS, has become tremendously popular already. Folks have posted quite a few ARKit demos on YouTube since Apple’s announcement of of the software development kit at WWDC 2017. We’ve covered many of these demonstrations in previous articles. This morning, though, I needed a YouTube playlist of them for an article at AppAdvice about IDC’s report that Augmented and Virtual Reality are going to see some serious increase in revenues. Not finding one, I decided to create my own. Since I love all of you, I decided to share that YouTube playlist with you. Without further ado, here it is. We will add to it as more ARKit demonstrations come on our radar.
Check out this Cool AR Portal World Demo Video for iOS 11
It’s an early-stage demo for Genereal, an AR world currently under development.
Peering into the Real Future of AI, AR, VR, and Self-Driving Cars - ACM 421
Bryan and Jeff don their futurist hats and explore what they think is the real future of augmented reality, virtual reality, AI, smarthomes, and self-driving cars.
5 More Cool iOS 11 ARKit Demonstration Videos
We found some more videos showing some really cool demonstrations of ARKit in action.
Apple's Augmented Reality Glasses - TMO Daily Observations 2017-06-27
John Martellaro and Jeff Butts join Jeff Gamet take a look at Apple’s SensoMotoric purchase, augmented reality, wearable tech, and AR glasses.
Report Says Apple Glasses Coming in 2020
Apple is going to start shipping its augmented reality glasses in 2020, or so says Gene Munster from Loup Ventures.
Apple Bolsters Its Augmented Reality Tech With Purchase of Eye Tracking Specialists SensoMotoric
The company’s technology, which can track the human eye 120 times per second, sounds perfect for the long-rumored Apple Glasses.
An Augmented Reality Tape Measure Is Way Cooler Than It Sounds
Introduced at WWDC 2017 as part of iOS 11, Apple’s ARKit will provide the tools for developers to tap into the increasingly popular and important world of augmented reality. And now that the iOS 11 betas are in developers’ hands, we’re getting some amazing first looks at what AR on the iPhone and iPad will soon deliver. One of the coolest is AR Measure, a tape measuring app that is way cooler than it sounds. Check out the video demo, below.
Google to End Gmail Scanning, Nike's AR Shoe Promotion - TMO Daily Observations 2017-06-26
Jeff Butts and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet sort out exactly what Google’s plan to stop scanning our Gmail accounts really means, plus they take a look at Nike’s new augmented reality shoe promotion scheme.
Nike, SNKRS Team Up for Augmented Reality Shoe Promotions on Your iPhone
Nike is going all in with augmented reality on the iPhone for its latest shoe promotions.
Here are 6 of Our Favorite iOS 11 ARKit Demonstrations
The beta version of iOS 11 has been in developer’s hands for only a few days and we’re already seeing some impressive examples of what’s possible with ARKit augmented reality.
Apple is Converting Mac Pro From a Fad to a Monster Graphics Platform
In 2008, the venerable cheese grater Mac Pro was designed for Apple customers who needed high end performance and expandability. In 2013, Apple shifted gears and saw the Mac Pro as an iconic desktop system with great performance if one shared the company’s vision for both industrial design and OpenCL. Now, it appears that Apple sees the Mac Pro as a platform that will support its future initiatives. Can Apple hold to that pattern? That abiding faith in high end computation and visualization? A new trademark filing suggests Apple now sees the light.
Apple Snags Another AR/VR Expert, this Time from NASA
Apple has hired another expert in the fields of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Bloomberg reported that Apple has hired Jeff Norris, an 18-year veteran of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Apple's Unplanned Augmented Reality Leak - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-21
Apple’s employee injury reports are giving us a clue into the company’s augmented reality plans. Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Butts join Jeff Gamet to talk about what Apple’s augmented reality plans may be, and how wearable technology may play in.
Apple Injury Reports Hint at Augmented Reality Glasses
Thanks to a leaked health and safety report we have some clues into what projects Apple is working on, and it looks like augmented reality glasses may be on that list. Two employees suffered from eye injuries from lasers attached to some form of headgear, which sounds a lot like a wearable augmented reality device.
Apple's Augmented Reality Plans May Include iPhone 8 Smart Connector for Special Glasses
Apple’s iPhone 8 will reportedly include an iPad Pro-like smart connector that may be the link up for augmented reality and virtual reality headsets. The report is tenuous, but the idea that Apple is ready to introduce its augmented reality platform this fall is interesting.
Facebook, Apple, and Augmented Reality - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-19
Facebook just announced its augmented reality platform and Apple has already said it’s very interested in AR. Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at Facebook’s augmented reality plans, what Apple may be working on, and how apps today are preparing us for an augmented reality future.
Apple May be Interested in AR Glasses After All
It’s no secret Apple has a very real interest in augmented reality, and that it’s likely headed to the iPhone. Seems the company is exploring AR glasses, like Google did with Google Glass, and will target our eyes after tackling the iPhone.
Pinterest Visual Search Gets A Tool Called Lens
Today Pinterest rolled out a new visual search tool called Lens. It’s a feature found within the app that uses machine learning to classify real-world objects. Lens suggests items in Pinterest that are related to the object. Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp demonstrated Lens visual search to detect a pomegranate, and Pinterest showed him pins about pomegranate bread, sandwiches and helpful tips to peel the fruit. Along with Lens, the company introduced Shop the Look, a tool that identifies objects in pins that you can purchase, and gives you a direct link to buy. Right now it’s only available for five brands. Although currently in beta, Lens is sure to help usher in augmented reality.
Robert Scoble Says Apple is Working with Zeiss on 'Mixed Reality Optics'
Robert Scoble said Monday that Apple is working with lens powerhouse Carl Zeiss AG on “mixed reality optics.” That’s one of the many terms used for augmented reality, for those keeping score at home. His evidence is circumstantial, at best, but I approve of his reasoning. While at the the Zeiss booth at CES, he learned the company was, “NOT showing off its mixed reality optics.” He then added, “I said ‘Tim Cook didn’t let you,’ and the employees around me smiled nervously.” Again, that’s circumstantial, but Mr. Scoble’s instincts have a good track record. To add further circumstantial speculation, Zeiss is the sort of company Apple might work with on any kind of lens-related product or technology. And we already knew that Apple has at least a thousand people working on augmented reality. So…I buy it.
Turn $1 Into an Augmented Reality Tour of the White House
Forget Pokémon. A really cool use for augmented reality on your iPhone is an animated 3D model of the White House, complete with an audio tour of its importance and history. The new app 1600, released this week by the White House Historical Association, uses AR to build a fully animated 3D model of the White House on a $1 bill while White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest narrates a miniature history lesson. Users can also tap on various parts of the model to reveal additional information and a few hidden secrets. Check it out now for free on the iOS and Android app stores.