From video games that involve the real world to apps to scrutinize the stars or furnish your home: the best technological solutions of augmented reality to use with your iPhone and iPad.
Today, AR technology is considered among the best and has been available for several years in various work contexts. As anticipated, initially augmented reality was considered more or less a futuristic concept. But with the launch of Android and Apple devices, using GPS, camera, and AR capabilities, giant steps have been taken, making the AR concept increasingly real for users. Augmented reality has not only encouraged technology giants but has also influenced the way social media and marketing are evolving. Today the giants of the web are fighting a long battle with the common goal of obtaining the top of the augmented reality market. Google, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft are in fact working hard fighting each other with the launch of various augmented reality apps, including AR development kits.
Therefore, AR is also one of the categories to which apps and games are being directed in iTunes or Google Play Store.
Augmented Reality: the best AR apps for iPhone and iPad
Recently, augmented reality, that is the possibility of superimposing digital objects on real images, has found perfect allies in smartphones. The official stores are 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.
magicplan
This is one of the most useful and functional AR apps, which allows you to make measurements and plans of any building. Thanks to augmented reality, Magic Plan is able to create a map of individual rooms or the entire building, make measurements and discover the number of square meters of the total area. To create the house plan it will be enough to photograph the perimeter corners and complete the project, adding accessories such as doors, windows, walls and everything else.
The free version of this app is functional but limited, as it lacks some objects, the possibility of exporting projects and enabling the function of plants in 3D. For those wishing to exploit the full potential of this app, you can buy the necessary for a single complete project or a subscription license.
IKEA Place
IKEA, the most popular home furnishing brand, has decided to enter augmented reality by introducing an app for the company’s catalogs.
The IKEA app will help you visualize the appearance of a wide range of furniture projects for your home. Just scan the floor plan, select the furniture design you like and you’re done. You can also drag and drop selected drawings and place them in the corners of the house using the phone itself.
Download IKEA Place App Here
Inkhunter
If you are a tattoo lover and want to know what suits you best, Inkhunter for iOS is all you need. This augmented reality app helps you imagine what the tattoo will look like on your body before you actually do it.
All you have to do is draw some lines on your body, let the camera on your phone capture those lines and the app will load the tattoo of your choice. The only limitation of this app is that it does not work with complicated or detailed designs.
Urban Bird
Urban Bird is a bird identifier app that allows you to discover new places with the help of augmented reality. Simply install the application, register, and frame the streets adjacent to your location to discover places of interest nearby. If any suggestions will provoke your interest, you can press the “Go” button to enable GPS navigation and reach the destination in a short time.
Download Urban Bird App
JigSpace
Videos and images are the best way to assimilate complicated concepts, but what if you cannot see them? Well, that’s where JigSpace runs for you.
This app includes a library of animated 3D graphics combined with text to help you visualize and understand how a service works.
For example, if you want to know how a specific object works, the app automatically scans the surrounding surface where it can virtually display the object. After scanning, you can perform it on the graphical zoom, even turning in the desired manner.
Google Translate
What’s the good old translator app from Google to do in this list? This application is actually one of the most concrete uses for augmented reality.
The feature that allows you to translate the text in a photo into another language is a clear example of this advanced technology. Of course, it is an app totally free and available for both Android and iOS.
Download Google Translate App Here
SkyView Lite
When we think of the oldest augmented reality app, Sky View is definitely at the top of the list. The Sky View AR app is well known for displaying a so-called star map.
Pointing the cameras towards the sky, in fact, the app will be able to show you stars and constellations of our galaxy. If you want to try something new and fun, SkyView can, therefore, be a valid alternative to the usual and monotonous activity by social addicts.
Download SkyView Lite App Here
TapMeasure
Each smartphone provides a multitude of very useful tools in everyday life: the calculator, the clock, the flashlight, etc.
However, some features are still missing in most mobile devices, one of these being the presence of the meter. Thanks to TapMeasure, you can take measurements with a simple “touch”.
The button on the mobile screen will help you mark the starting point, moving the phone along the surface you want to measure and interrupting the measurement with a further touch. Also, see our selection of the best iPhone apps to measure distance.
AR Flashcard
With the AR Flashcards app, you will not have to wait for your child to go to school because you learn basic sketches, letters, or spelling.
If you have an iPhone or iPad device, download it, point it at the printed Flashcards. The app will generate a 3D animal on your device screen. You can also touch the displayed animal to hear what its name is.
In short, with AR Flashcards you will have fun and at the same time educational alternative, thanks to which your children will be able to know various objects or animals and develop their index of learning as a child. Contains 26 animals to help your child know them before school actually starts.
Download AR Flashcard App Here
Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO is a global game phenomenon. The aim of this game AR is to scour the real cities in search of hidden Pokémon and capture them. The app uses Google maps and smartphone GPS to identify your position. The game also allows you to challenge other players at the “Gyms” distributed on the territory, to acquire points and overcome levels. Pokémon Go is available on the App Store and Google Play channels. If you are looking for similar games to Pokemon Go, try these free games.
Holo
Holo is a very fun free AR application, available for iOS and Android. It allows you to add 3D holograms to real scenes. To exploit the potential of the app is enough to shoot someone with the camera of the smartphone, select one of the characters available in the catalog (also famous) and place it correctly in the center of the lens, making it interact with a real person. At the end of the processing, all the videos can be stored on the device and shared with friends.
Download Holo App Here
Augmented Reality apps: Ingress
Ingress is an augmented reality video game that allows players to interact with real places, present in the cities of the world. It is a role-playing game that sees two opposing factions (Illuminati and Resistance), whose aim is to conquer entire geographical areas of real life. Players will have to move to “interesting” places, to discover new energy sources and help conquer the territories. This is a video game open to all since 2013 with many players active in the world.
FxGuru: Movie FX Director
FxGuru: Movie FX Director was one of the first apps to exploit the concept of augmented reality. Also, in this case, we talk about a fun application. It allows you to create videos with cinematic effects set in real scenes. The free version allows you to use a limited number of effects, such as the fall of an artificial satellite, the landing of UFOs or the simulation of a small robot to be placed in our shots.
Download FxGuru: Movie FX Director App Here
Gun Camera 3D 2
Gun Camera 3D is an AR shooter for iOS users. It allows you to use images from the camera as the setting of the game. You can use live images or those in your photo gallery. The app is free, with some video advertising. You can save videos and images of the game and share it with friends.
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That’s all for now. We end our selection of the best AR apps for iOS devices. Have you ever experienced the augmented reality app experience? Let us know which you prefer. Thank you.