Top Augmented Reality Developments to Watch Out for in 2023
Future-Proof Your Business: Unraveling the Fascinating World of Augmented Reality
The digital landscape is evolving at a rapid pace, and one technology poised to make a significant impact is Augmented Reality (AR). As businesses scramble to stay competitive, embracing this futuristic technology is no longer an option—it's a necessity.
So Just What is Augmented Reality?
AR enhances our everyday experiences by merging digital elements with our real-world surroundings through technology such as visuals and sound. This technology is quickly gaining traction in mobile computing and applications, revolutionizing user experiences by integrating digital information seamlessly into physical settings.
The Exciting AR Journey Awaits in 2023
1. AR Meets AI: A Jaw-Dropping Duo
When it comes to AR, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the modern-day fairy godmother, making things happen behind the scenes. Firstly, AI powers facial and spatial recognition software, crucial for AR functionalities. Secondly, these two powerful forces combine, giving birth to innovative solutions that blend AI's capabilities with AR's needs.
Take ClipDrop, for instance. This app effortlessly converts real-world objects into 3D digital assets, ready for use in PowerPoint, Photoshop, Google Docs, and more. Meanwhile, automatic design apps like SketchAR let users draw intricate structures in AR, with AI taking control and producing some breathtaking results—perhaps even designing real-world structures in the near future.
2. The Rise of AR-Ready Smartphones
Your trusty smartphone is about to become your primary AR tool, thanks to ongoing advancements in chips, cameras, displays, and connectivity. Flagship phones from industry giants like Google, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and others consistently push the envelope when it comes to performance, imaging, and endurance. These advancements are driving the growth of mobile AR, opening up vast opportunities for brands, games, marketers, and platforms.
Future trends include foldable and rollable smartphones, offering a more immersive AR experience with their larger screens. With over 5 billion global users, smartphones promise to remain the primary platform for AR in 2023 and beyond.
3. AR Glasses Take Center Stage
While mobile AR is accessible, AR extends far beyond phones. The excitement is building around AR glasses, with Microsoft's HoloLens 2 leading the charge at the high-end. For a sleeker, more user-friendly version, look no further than Nreal Air. These glasses pair perfectly with devices like phones or gaming consoles, offering a virtual cinema experience on a large scale for gaming and watching movies.
Then there's MONOCLE, a pocket-sized AR device that attaches to any glasses. It boasts a heads-up display, camera, microphone, Bluetooth, and open-source software and hardware, making it a dream for tinkerers and creators. While these AR glasses are currently expensive, we predict a uptick in mass-market adoption and affordability in the near future.
4. Live Shopping—Forever Changed by AR
Live stream shopping is on the rise, with influencers selling products on e-commerce apps and social media platforms alike. But the downside? Viewers can't physically try the products. Cue AR: it's set to revolutionize live stream shopping by providing immersive shopping experiences, eliminating returns, and offering customers tactile interactions.
5. AR Transforms Healthcare
Deloitte Research predicts a healthcare revolution driven by AR and AI. These technologies offer hands-free AR/MR solutions and AI diagnostics. Microsoft's HoloLens 2 demonstrates what's possible with AR in healthcare, aiding surgeons in real-time and freeing their hands during procedures. Telemedicine and mental health apps also benefit from AR, making communication between doctors and patients more effective and efficient.
The Future in Focus
While we've outlined our predictions for the future of AR, it remains uncertain—hinging on individual and industry adoption and evolving trends. What's clear: AR offers personalized, engaging, and informative experiences, transforming communication, learning, navigation, shopping, and entertainment. The future is ripe for exploration and pushing the boundaries of this fascinating technology.
Technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) works harmoniously with Augmented Reality (AR) to create cutting-edge innovations, such as ClipDrop, which converts real-world objects into digital assets, and automatic design apps like SketchAR, where AI Fine-tunes AR-based artwork.
Further advancements in technology, such as AR-ready smartphones and AR glasses, promise to make AR an indispensable part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we shop, interact with content, and even practice healthcare with precision and efficiency.
