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AR, VR, XR: What's the difference?
Let's define reality with a close look at AR, VR, MR, and other technologies to see what they mean
It seems like everyone has a new high-tech headset these days. It's a technology we keep returning to, looking for new ways to use or present it to consumers. It's been almost 19 years since Google Glass died of embarrassment (although that AR project was only officially shuttered in 2023), and now Apple is taking its turn with the Vision Pro. Meanwhile, Microsoft has HoloLens, while Vive and Oculus have been around for years, and there are kid-friendly goggles you can strap a high-quality Android phone to in an imitation of a full VR experience.
Pikmin Finder AR game launches just in time for Nintendo Live
The free augmented reality game works on phones and tablets directly in your browser
It took years for Nintendo to deliver on its promise of a new Pikmin game, but fans of the franchise couldn’t get enough when Pikmin 4 debuted in July. The sixth installment of the game was well-received by critics and longtime players alike. However, the simple gameplay and somewhat easy puzzles of Pikmin 4 left some wanting more. Just in time for the Nintendo Live event, hosted in Seattle, the developer launched Pikmin Finder for browsers in mobile devices.
Space Invaders: World Defense is making its AR gameplay practical by bringing it indoors
Blast those pesky aliens from the comfort of your living room
At this point, augmented reality games are no longer a niche, they're a staple for many gaming enthusiasts. But in those times when you don't feel like getting up and moving around, classic style games are still great for a lazy couch session. Thankfully, the recently released AR re-imagination of Space Invaders is now ready for all types of gamers after a new mode was just added.
This new AR attachment puts Android TV on your face
Rokid's AR glasses have an interesting new way to watch movies and TV
AR glasses tend to be thought of as a luxury item only available to the wealthy or well-off, as seen with the pricier Google Glass ($999) and Microsoft HoloLens ($3,500). The market is fairly open to affordable versions of AR glasses since many consumers can't justify dropping over a grand on a luxury device. Rokid, a Chinese tech startup, has filled this void with its affordable AR glasses, and now the company is taking things a step further with an Android TV attachment.
Space Invaders: World Defense lands on Android with the help of Google's ARCore
An AR mobile game that lets you touch grass while defending Earth
Space Invaders is an iconic game that most gamers are aware of because it is one of the first video games to blow up in popularity in the arcades. The player controls a laser cannon at the bottom of the screen and tries to defeat ever-encroaching aliens before they reach the bottom of the screen. The game has been remade and ported to multiple devices over the last few decades, even making its way to mobile. However, the concept for the game has been taken to the next level with the launch of Space Invaders: World Defense, this time with the help of Google's ARCore augmented reality tech.
Google’s AR efforts face more turmoil as lead exec quits over ‘unstable commitment’
The company’s AR roadmap is looking increasingly blurred with the departure of Mark Lucovsky
Will the metaverse and augmented reality really change the way we access systems? Even with some really impressive stuff like Apple's Vision Pro on the way, it feels like much of the early hype is already starting to fade. We've already seen Google grappling with the fallout from the termination of its ambitious "Project Iris" earlier this year, and now the company faces yet another stumbling block on its rocky path towards augmented reality and mixed reality, with the unexpected resignation of Mark Lucovsky, its Senior Director of Engineering, Operating Systems, AR.
Google Glass was ahead of its time, introducing the world to the fascinating new area of augmented reality. Google promoted the idea of wearable technology as a means to seamlessly integrate digital information into the user's physical world. But changes in public opinion forced Google Glass to turn away from consumer applications and towards purely business uses, and following this pivot, the project was eventually shut down earlier this year. Despite rumors about Google getting back into smart glasses again with its “Project Iris” AR initiative, we're now hearing those plans have also been scrapped, marking the end of yet another chapter in Google's AR history.
Google is killing a product for good that sparked controversy 10 years ago
Google Glass has only been available for enterprises for years, but now it's really dead
Remember Google Glass? It may be a distant memory by now, but ten years ago, Google put out one of its first large-scale AR experiments. These AR glasses had a big, life-enhancing prospect — a head-mounted device with a head-up display that you could interact with using your voice. After sparking initial interest among tech enthusiasts, the general public was offended by the idea of people walking around with a camera constantly pointed at others, with the term "glassholes" soon coined. Google was forced to abondon its plans, and the product was only left alive for enterprise uses with the Google Glass Enterprise Edition, which saw a revision in 2019 with the Enterprise Edition 2. Now, though, it's dead-dead. Like, dead for good.
Best photo apps and games to take amusing shots through AR
Looking for meaning while snapping photos? Try out augmented reality games and apps to liven up your Android gallery
While browsing the Play Store on your trusty Android phone, you may have encountered AR (augmented reality) supported apps. AR apps are like any other but have added support for digital technology that embeds real-world environments and objects with virtual elements enhanced by computer-generated graphics. As a result, these apps often bring in a mixed perception of reality through the camera straight to your favorite apps and games.
Google just killed Playground AR stickers once and for all
They've been delisted from the Play Store
Playground AR stickers built into the Google Camera app on Pixel phones were first introduced in 2017. With them, you could put fun little characters, figures, and text and overlay them over the real world with your phone's camera. It was a fun feature, but one that has been defunct for a long time, as it was killed off when the Pixel 4a launched in 2020. You can't currently use those stickers on modern Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 phones, for example. Now, Google is putting the final nail in the Playground AR stickers coffin as they've been delisted from the Play Store.
Google might use rings and bracelets as input methods for its upcoming AR glasses
Touchpads on the frame are a thing of the past
This year's Google I/O was not only filled to the brim with software and developer announcements, but also with hardware — both actual announcements and teasers. We saw teasers of the Pixel 7 and the Pixel Watch, both of which have since launched, and we got to know the Pixel tablet that has yet to launch. But one of the things Google also teased was the launch of future AR glasses. They might work a little different from what we saw from Google previously with Glass, though. Google's already exploring two wildly different input methods for the upcoming device, according to sources.
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Google doesn't always knock it out of the park with new products and services, and you don't need to look any further than Google Glass to know that. Glass was a forward-looking idea that might have easily been incorporated into the company's family of devices, but it just didn't seem to land with consumers and dropped off the radar almost as soon as it was introduced — only to pop back up a few years ago for enterprise users. Google may not be done with AR hardware just yet, though, as it confirms the acquisition of microLED firm Raxium.
Pixar's Turning Red arrived on Disney+ a week ago, and despite a wide array of competition, viewers quickly boosted it to Disney and Pixar's top streaming premiere worldwide. The critically-acclaimed film tells the story of a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl named Mei who wakes up one day to find she's turned into a giant red panda. After Mozilla unveiled some fun tie-in wallpapers, Google has joined in on the fun with a unique augmented reality animation found on its app that places Turning Red's giant panda right in the middle of your room.
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Google formally adds the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro to its ARCore support list
Along with devices from Motorola, OnePlus, and Xiaomi
Augmented reality might not seem as exciting as VR, but it's capable of plenty of handy applications. From basic measuring tools to imaginary art galleries, AR can be a ton of fun — and with Google's ARCore SDK, it's easy to use with most modern Android phones. All supported devices have to be certified before running any of these experiences, and another 26 have been added to the list just in time to close out the year.
Google dumped a snow cone on its new 3D Android 12 statue, and that's pretty much how we feel about it too
So... you wanna buy another?
Google's well-placed pride in Android has earned the OS some prized lawn paraphenalia over the years outside the company's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it splash out for new fiberglass statues in recent years — following the pie-themed entry for Android 9, the company bored all of us with a very plain, dessert-less '10' statue and only created a similarly-styled virtual statue for 11.
Google has some fluffy new endangered AR animals for you to play with
They're beautiful, but they may also be history
The impact of humans on the Earth, be it through the acceleration of climate change or expansion of our built environment, is driving wild imbalances in nature with invasive species proliferating and endangered ones going extinct. There's a constant appeal for people at large to take action to protect the planet we live on and the vulnerable animals that are hanging by tooth and nail. One of the latest ways we're being made aware of what fauna we could soon lose out on is a collaboration between Google and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Tile teases super-precise Apple AirTag competitor as it launches next-gen Bluetooth trackers
Longtime tracker manufacturer behind in making UWB tags
Tile, a longtime maker of consumer-grade Bluetooth tracking tags, is pushing updates to its product line, improving the reception, chirpers, and designs for its 2022 Sticker, Mate, Slim, and Pro. It's also teasing a new tracker with extreme accuracy thanks to ultra-wideband radios.
Snapchat's got some goofy new AR features for you to try
I can finally scan all the weeds in my front yard, but do I want to?
Despite the popularity of competitors like Instagram, Snapchat's still an insanely popular messaging app. Hell, it even managed to hit one billion installs on Android before Google Messages. That doesn't mean Snap Inc. has stayed confined to developing its smartphone. Experiments like AR glasses and original programming have pushed Snapchat far beyond its original concept. With a newly-reworked iteration of Scan, the company's looking to bring AR search results to its massive fanbase.
Try the Google Store's new AR demo to see if the Pixel 5a is too big for you
It's broken on Android, but working on iOS
If you're on the fence about Google's new Pixel 5a, the company has just rolled out a new feature on the Google Store that might make it a little easier to decide — or, at least, see if you're comfortable with the phone's size. The Google Store product listing now has an AR demo that lets you see what the phone looks like, and the scale is actually pretty dang close on an iPhone, though the demo seems to be broken right now for Android.
Google adds another 30 Android devices to its ARCore support list
Sony, Moto, and Xiaomi phones dominate a list with a couple surprises
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Google's ARCore SDK makes it easier to develop augmented reality apps but also ensures a consistent experience across devices. For this purpose, the company certifies devices through a specific process that confirms the camera, motion sensors, and CPU perform as expected. For instance, a certified ARCore phone has access to Google's 3D Animal library in Search and Playground, and has been tested to work properly with these services.