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iOS 11 ARKit iPad

Apple introduced its platform for developing augmented reality experiences for iPhone and iPad at WWDC 2017 in June. One of the most impressive aspects of the new platform is that new or specific hardware isn’t required, any of Apple’s iPhones or iPads with an A9, A10 chip or newer will be compatible with the platform.

ARKit apps will arrive to the public with the release of iOS 11 and Apple has claimed it will be the largest AR platform in the world. We’ve already seen a wide-range of uses for augmented reality as developers create and prepare new apps. And augmented reality may become much bigger than virtual reality (at least for now) thanks to ARKit.

Tim Cook has said “I regard it [AR] as a big idea like the smartphone.” He’s also shared “I’m excited about Augmented Reality because unlike Virtual Reality which closes the world out, AR allows individuals to be present in the world but hopefully allows an improvement on what’s happening presently.

Apple has been openly building technology for its new mixed reality headset for years

Apple is widely expected to introduce its long rumored mixed reality headset as part of WWDC 2023. This comes as a surprise to few in part because Apple has been singing the praises of augmented reality since at least WWDC 2017. That’s when Apple began laying the groundwork for technology used in the headset through developer tools on the iPhone and iPad.

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iOS 16 integrates U1 chip with ARKit amid rumors of Apple’s mixed reality headset

iOS 16 introduces multiple new APIs, which allow developers to expand the capabilities of their apps. For instance, there are new APIs for lock screen widgets, walkie-talkie, interactive maps, weather data, and more. Interestingly, Apple has also updated the Nearby Interaction API to integrate the U1 chip into ARKit amid rumors of a new mixed reality headset.

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New renders show off the design of Apple’s rumored mixed reality headset

Intrepid concept creator Ian Zelbo is back with a fantastically detailed rendering of Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset. The renderings are based on illustrations created with credible information published by The Information earlier this year. Zelbo calls the concept “Apple View”, but the real name is still completely unknown.

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Exclusive: NextVR acquired by Apple (Updated)

Update: NextVR has replaced its website with a landing page announcing a ‘new direction’ without its existing service.

Update 2x: Apple has confirmed the acquisition to Bloomberg.

It’s no secret that Apple has ambitious plans for augmented reality and a future AR-focused headset. Apple is practically building the platform for its future headset out in the open with ARKit. What’s new is that Apple is believed to be in the process of acquiring a California-based virtual reality company called NextVR, 9to5Mac has learned.


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[Update: iPad support!] Pocket Rocket is a SpaceX launch tracker that puts spacecrafts in the palm of your hand using ARKit

It’s not everyday that a new app comes around and meets two very different interests. The brand new Pocket Rocket app does that for me, however, mixing SpaceX rocket launches with augmented reality on the iPhone using ARKit.

The new Pocket Rocket app from Tim Isenman, Aaron Abentheuer, and Kimi Talvitie is super polished in a style die-hard SpaceX fans will appreciate. It’s also easy-to-use and approachable so brand new space explorers can jump in and start using it.

The use of AR in Pocket Rocket adds a playful element to it that makes learning about current space missions more engaging. If you are a space fan, the opening animation is worth the price of admission alone.
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ARKit-based SDK set to offer indoor AR navigation for malls, airports, more

indoor AR navigation ARKit iOS

A new company called Dent Reality is in the final development stages of bringing a sharp augmented reality indoor navigation platform to iOS for malls, airports, retail stores, and more. The developer built the SDK on ARKit and says it found a unique solution to highly accurate indoor location tracking without the need for iBeacons or other hardware.


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Warby Parker iOS app launches Virtual Try-On for glasses with ARKit and TrueDepth on iPhone X and later

iPhone Glasses Virtual Try-On

Warby Parker is out with an update to its iOS app that brings a useful new feature to its collection of spectacles: Virtual Try-On. With Apple’s ARKit and TrueDepth camera tech, the company’s new software lets users see “the realistic color, texture, and size of each style— using just your iPhone X [and later]” while shopping for new glasses with its app.


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Greg Joswiak & AR head Mike Rockwell join John Gruber to talk iOS 12, iOS apps on macOS, more

As has become the norm over recent years, John Gruber was joined by a pair of Apple executives for his live episode of The Talk Show at WWDC. This year, Mike Rockwell, Apple’s head of augmented reality, and marketing executive Greg Joswiak, joined Gruber to talk iOS 12, augmented reality, and much more.


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Apple unveils new first-party ARKit Measure app that can auto-detect dimensions of objects

Apple kicked off its WWDC keynote starting with iOS 12 and Augmented Reality. Along with further ARKit developments, like USDZ file format, and upcoming native USDZ support in Adobe Creative Cloud, and ARKit 2, it unveiled Measure. Measure is a first-party ARKit-enabled Measuring app shipping with iOS 12 that can auto-detect dimensions of objects in 3D space and provide automatic measurements.
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iOS 12 will upgrade ARKit with ability for two iPhones to see same virtual object

As we inch closer to Apple’s WWDC keynote on Monday, new details are starting to slip out about what the company plans to present. Reuters is reporting that Apple plans to upgrade ARKit, Apple’s augmented reality framework for iOS, with the ability for two users to see the same virtual object in space. The feature will reportedly be implemented in a way that considers data privacy for users as well.


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