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The life and death of Google's VR/AR projects
Google has been innovating in augmented reality and virtual reality for much longer than Apple
When Simon Greenwold coined the term "spatial computing" in 2003, modern-day AR, VR, and XR headsets were nothing more than a pipedream. However, in 2012, Google took the world by storm by introducing the world's first augmented reality head-mounted display. Dubbed Google Glass, it set the stage for a new breed of mixed reality devices in motion. A decade and then some later, Google has practically exited the category, and Apple has legitimized it with the launch of the Vision Pro. While it's not the first spatial computing headset on the market, the launch of the Vision Pro is proof of the company’s faith in a future where wearable computers will be the norm.
Google 3D animals: 100+ AR critters, dinosaurs, insects, and compatible phones
Thanks to AR, you can teach your children about animals without leaving home
Augmented reality (AR) can be a fun and valuable tool, especially when teaching children. The implementation of 3D and AR in Google Search is one of the best we've seen. This feature offers a novel way to interact with your favorite critters from your living room. Seeing a dinosaur in your house is an exciting prospect, regardless of your age.
What is spatial computing?
Spatial computing: what is it? What are its applications? Are we there yet?
Technology has come a long way and has advanced rapidly over the last decade. Can you imagine that we didn't have shiny Android camera phones just two decades ago? But every new piece of technology brings new, initially foreign, and potentially confusing terminology.
New evidence suggests Google's Micro XR platform could be closer than we thought
Code in the latest Play Store and Play Services APKs reveals ongoing work
The era of extended reality is not just on the horizon — it's knocking on our door. While Google might not be working on its own headset like we thought, Samsung is, and the companies have partnered together on the venture. A new report shines a spotlight on the mysterious Micro XR platform by Google and its rumored collaboration with industry titans.
Weekend poll: Do you think Google should make another AR or VR headset?
Was Google simply too early to the fight, or is it better off focusing on other projects?
Although you didn't hear too much about it on Android Police this week, Apple's annual developer conference dominated the tech industry over the last few days. Alongside a shiny new 15" MacBook Air and some iterative updates to its lineup of operating systems, the company announced Vision Pro, a new "spatial computing" (read: mixed reality) headset coming next year for the eye-watering price of $3,500. Putting aside what you think about the device — personally, I'd kill to watch movies on it, as long as someone else was footing the bill — it's hard not to think about Google's own attempts in this space, and whether or not the company should give it another shot.
Google Search now turns your home into a virtual Ikea showroom
This mobile-first experience could save you a visit to a retail location
Technology has come a long way since the first touchscreen phone, and complicated features like augmented reality aren’t outside the realm of everyday tech anymore. Google is well aware of this, and is now partnering with Swedish home furnishings and furniture brand Ikea to make all the latter’s products viewable in AR directly in Google Search results.
Pokémon Go creator's latest creature collection game now available for preregistration
Niantic's first original IP in years lets you raise adorable pets
Peridot, an original IP from Niantic, will launch on iOS and Android on May 9th worldwide. Niantic's success with Pokémon Go has clearly inspired this creature collector, which is probably for the best, considering the studio's slate of recent failures. While it's reasonable not to expect much from this latest game, the fact that Niantic is not relying on partnerships with existing IPs makes this creature collection game an intriguing concept. It's available to register now.
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 reportedly splits its AR division between hardware and ecosystem teams
They'll work better and faster apart
Some call it "mixed reality." Others say it's "expanded reality." Mark Zuckerburg tried to call it the Metaverse, but that certainly hasn't done dividends for him. But whatever this field is, Google has been committed to playing around in it, even if it's had to reset its dreams on a full-blown first-party headset a few times. As Oculus Quests and Microsoft HoloLenses eat Google's lunch in the meantime, the company is also having to cut down and reorganize its workforce and to achieve updated objectives. To be sure, Google's still interested in augmented reality, but it'll be taking a radically different two-pronged approach if fresh rumors are to be believed.
The best augmented reality games for Android in 2024
Give yourself an excuse to go outside with these augmented reality games for Android
Augmented reality (AR) games connect the real world with the virtual one. They use the camera and GPS to incorporate real-world elements into gameplay. As a result, they also benefit from a powerful Android smartphone.
Google adds new OnePlus, Motorola, and Xiaomi phones to the official ARCore certification list
More than three dozen new Android devices make the cut
Augmented reality has all kinds of applications in Android phones, including for e-commerce and gaming. ARCore is Google's development suite for AR apps, but devices have to be certified to run ARCore-built apps. Certification means the device passes muster in a number of different areas, like camera quality and motion sensor accuracy. Newer phones keep on being added to the ARCore support list regularly, and now, a new set of more than 30 Android phones have received this certification, including smartphones from the likes of Motorola, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.
Keep an eye out for Google's AR prototypes as real-world testing begins
The company behind Google Glass is offering a heads-up on privacy
Google I/O was chock full of hardware announcements this year, and not just the expected Pixel 6a launch. On top of surprise reveals for the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro and an unnamed Pixel tablet, the company closed the show with a tease for some new standalone AR glasses. It's a redemption story for Google's quest to dominate wearables following fizzled plans for its Glass project. Now, just two months after that initial reveal, the company is turning to real-world tests for its AR prototypes — gadgets you might be able to spot on your own.
Get an early look at Niantic's new AR game Peridot as gameplay video surfaces
As promised, you'll raise adorable augmented reality creatures in real-world environments
Earlier this month, we learned that Niantic is working on a new augmented reality game where you'll raise and breed adorable creatures. This is the developer that's best known for creating Pokémon GO, and its upcoming release, Peridot, sounds pretty familiar. However, if you've been curious to see what precisely Peridot brings to the table, thanks to a recent soft launch in Malaysia, the title's gameplay has finally leaked online. While we knew this soft launch would kick off sooner rather than later, now that it's underway, we can all get an eyeful of what the augmented reality pet raising game has to offer.
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.
Google's next AR headset is more than just a daydream
But if history is any indicator, it could be a nightmare
After years of lackluster attempts in the augmented reality space, Google is pushing its cleats down with multiple augmented reality projects, two of which are currently targeted to be out within the next three years.
Like it or not, the "metaverse" is the next trend every major tech company is chasing. While the jury's still out on whether or not it'll successfully change the world, it is getting attention from places you might not expect. While Facebook has rebranded to sell its vision of the future, Google is also attempting to make its mark on the metaverse — all while throwing it back to a classic 2010s product.
Oppo's AR glasses remind us of what Google Glass could have been
The company has also introduced its first custom image processor during Inno Day 2021
Oppo's Inno Day 2021 is in full swing, and the company has just announced some interesting products. It has unveiled its first processor, an image processing unit that's supposed to supercharge cameras and enable real-time RAW processing, along with its first pair of augmented reality glasses, the Oppo Air Glass.
It looks like Google is getting serious about AR hardware again
A new Google Glass for consumers, perhaps?
Google was the company to make augmented reality glasses the hot topic back when it launched its Google Glass wearable in 2013, but the company was forced to pivot its strategy to focus on the enterprise market due to consumer privacy concerns back in the day. With many other companies launching somewhat similar products these days, like Snapchat with its Spectacles and Microsoft with its HoloLens, Google seems to think that it's time to return to the market, too. As spotted by 9to5Google, the company is building out a team to develop some "Augmented Reality OS" for "an innovative AR device."
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.
Niantic calls it quits on its Settlers of Catan AR game
Catan – World Explorers set to wind down over the coming months
Back in June 2020, Niantic announced Catan – World Explorers, an augmented reality map exploration game in the same vein as Pokémon GO, the developer's bread and butter. Catan, of course, is a popular board game that's had several digital adaptations published on the Play Store, and it would seem Niantic was chomping at the bit to utilize its AR platform to turn the entire world into a Catan gameboard, but this has not panned out. Thanks to a recent blog post, we now know Niantic plans to sunset Catan – World Explorers on November 18th. Luckily, the game never made it out of testing, and so only those living in the game's soft-launch regions will be affected.