Best free apps for Android to try Augmented Reality based on the camera of the mobile phone, to interact with the real world.
Augmented reality has become a serious matter with the release of the Pokemon Go game and has opened a new path to the evolution of technology that instead seemed oriented towards virtual reality.
Before Pokemon Go, other apps have already used the smartphone’s camera to frame the real world and make it interactive on the phone screen. Augmented reality apps for Android work on the mobile screen of virtual elements in the real world and add an interactive information overlay to the camera lens that can react to our finger movements on the screen.
We have already discussed the best iPhone augmented reality apps. Now let’s see some of the best apps for Android. But before that, let’s know a little more about augmented reality technology to have a solid base from which to start looking for AR applications in order to satisfy our needs and Of course, our curiosity.
What is Augmented Reality?
Basically, augmented reality is a technology that allows us to superimpose the physical world with virtual elements from sensors and other elements with the aim of adding a layer of information to the real world. It allows the user to know other aspects of the same that he cannot or is not able to perceive by his own means, for example, specific locations or data of a building or site.
Augmented reality should not be confused with virtual reality because they are two different concepts. Augmented reality is able to offer a layer of information about what we are seeing in the real world. On the other hand, virtual reality submerges and isolates the user in a totally virtual world, that is, as far away from the physical world as possible.
The top 10 best free Android apps based on Augmented Reality or AR technology
The official store is full of AR apps, which in various contexts allow us to use this technology for more or less useful purposes. To be able to use AR apps, simply use a smartphone with a camera, open the app and take advantage of features dedicated to games, education and more. We have collected twelve AR apps that will certainly not go unnoticed.
Google Translate
Although it is not strictly an application of augmented reality, the truth is that it is based on certain elements very close to this technology. Basically, Google Translate is a language translation application, which it uses a cell phone camera. The app can detect text with the camera and translate it in real-time, from places such as posters, inscriptions or signals in the middle of the street.
In order to translate texts, execute the application, point to the text that you want to translate and press the trigger. After that, the text will be translated even if you do not have an Internet connection. An application that works surprisingly well. Indispensable for trips abroad, especially if you do not know the local language. Also, see our selection of the best digital translator device reviews.
Star Walk
This is another of the best Augmented Reality apps for Android users. Star Walk offers an augmented reality experience, to say the least. The apps in question use the position and orientation of the phone to display a star chart with extraordinary precision on the display of your smartphone.
This map can be superimposed on the surrounding environment through the typical functionality of augmented reality. Result? Using this software, you will find yourself your hands with a fantastic tool to learn about astronomy, which is both fun and educational.
Pokémon GO
We cannot make a list of augmented reality apps without mentioning the most popular AR game of all time. Pokémon Go is a game for cell phones that, as soon as it has been released to the market, has managed to create a kind of collective madness among users who use it. The game makes intensive use of the GPS sensor of the smartphone to determine our location and place our avatar on the map of the game. The part of augmented reality offered by Pokémon GO is when the pokemon is displayed on the phone screen thanks to the camera. You can use fake GPS location applications to play the game without leaving home.
MagicPlan
This is another of the best Augmented Reality apps for Android users. Measurement applications are everywhere in the Google Play Store, but most of them are quite disappointing.
Augment – 3D Augmented Reality
Undoubtedly, this application of augmented reality for Android is one of the best of its kind, since among other features it allows you to show 3D models on physical surfaces in real-time. This is a very useful function for all those who work in direct contact with your clients and need an application of this type to offer an example of the work to be done.
However, this is not your sole purpose, since this AR app can also be used for learning or entertainment purposes. For this, it offers different categories of objects that can be used, and that include areas such as architecture, design, industry
AR GPS Compass Map 3D
This is another of the best Augmented Reality apps for Android users. This is another popular AR app for Android. AR GPS Compass Map 3D guides you from your current location to a predetermined point on a map with a compass that is based on augmented reality.
To use the app, you must define your goal and then the software will guide you step by step through the map on the display.
Download AR GPS Compass Map 3D App
Wikitude
Wikitude is an augmented reality application for Android well known by all frequent travelers, since it is very useful to be able to locate ourselves geographically in an unknown environment.
This app offers its best feature when you point the camera of the cell phone to a specific place. From there, it will show you relevant information about the environment such as the location of ATMs, restaurants, coffee shops, museums and much more.
Download Wikitude App
Yelp
This is another of the best Augmented Reality apps for Android users. Yelp is one of the best-known applications to know the reviews and recommendations that users have made about restaurants, shops, coffee shops, nightclubs and many other types of businesses.
However, this is an augmented reality app for Android that uses GPS and the compass of the phone to know the location of bars, restaurants and various places at the time we are there.
In addition, if you have a Yelp account, you can know what recommendations or criticisms other users have made about the premises in real-time. No doubt an app for travelers that cannot miss on smartphones.
ViewRanger
ViewRanger is an app with thousands of routes for hiking and cycling. It has a lot of recommendations and maps that you can use without an Internet connection, but the real jewel in the crown is its Skyline function.
This feature uses augmented reality to identify the key points that you detect with the camera and show its name, and other data such as height, and when it is a peak or mount. Highly recommended and very well valued by Google Play users. It is also compatible with Android Wear OS. Unfortunately, the Skyline feature is only available in the premium version of the app.
Download ViewRanger App
Holo
This is another of the best Augmented Reality apps for Android users. Holo is an app that inserts holograms in videos using augmented reality. A very fun utility with which we can play and get gold with all kinds of mounts. There are a lot of characters like Spider-Man, a gorilla playing ukulele, a dog and all kinds of funny characters.
Once we have the stage set up, we just have to record a video and we can save a copy or share it with our friends. Very enjoyable, especially with friends.
Download Holo App
WallaMe – Augmented Reality
WallaMe is an augmented reality app that allows you to leave messages in certain geolocated zones. The idea is that we make a small drawing or write something, for example, on the corner of a street, at the bus stop, etc. Then, when another person passes through that site you can see that there is a hidden message and visualize it in augmented reality.
It can give a lot of play, especially in group activities, for sightseeing or communicating with our friends in a different and creative way.
Download WallaMe App
SketchAR
This is another of the best Augmented Reality apps for Android users. SketchAR is an application that shows templates on your sketchbook so that you can trace them. You can choose from a good number of sketches of cats, hands, faces, buildings, flowers and other drawings that will appear on the mobile screen as if they were really in front of you.
The idea is simply great, but much of the charm is lost in the execution. It forces us to hold the phone at a certain height while we draw. Something that certainly is not very practical. Even so, it’s worth trying.
Just a Line
We continue with the drawing apps. Just a Line is an application developed by Google through
Download Just a Line App
Google Lens
Google Lens is the evolution of the concept that they started to develop with Google. A tool with which you can identify text, images and real-world objects using the power of cloud computing from Google’s powerful engine.
It is available as a standalone application, although we can also find it integrated into the most recent versions of Google Photos.
Conclusion
In addition to the best Augmented Reality (AR) apps for Android mentioned in the list, there are many other applications that take advantage of this feature in ways that are worth mentioning. There we have other games like Ingress, from the same creators as the famous Pokémon Go. Or Ikea Place, an app that allows us to see how this or that piece of furniture would look realistically in the living room.
Ink Hunter is a tattoo design app that allows you to “try” tattoos and see how they would fit if you really tattooed them on your skin. And what do you say? What is your favorite augmented reality app?