Category: iOS 11

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Mammoth Mini Golf AR Adds new ARKit 1.5 Features

After Apple released its augmented reality (AR) development software ARKit in 2017 loads of developers announced projects utilising the technology. When when consumers got their hands on it via iOS 11 later that year there was a reasonable amount of content to chose from. Developer Ezone.com was one of these early adopters, releasing Mammoth Mini Golf AR. And with ARKit’s recent update Ezone.com has ensured its golfing title has followed suit.

Mammoth Mini Golf AR

With the new update Mammoth Mini Golf AR players can now put cave paintings on walls thanks to vertical plane detection, place virtual characters using the Apple Watch companion app, and enjoy a high-resolution camera feed for super sharp visuals.

“We believe augmented reality has a very bright future”, says Simon Edis, one of Ezone.com’s co-founders in a statement. “Right now mobile AR is like a magic window into a mixed world. It’s still early days, but the lessons we are learning now will form the foundation for when that window disappears and AR fills your vision.

“With each new release we are seeing features that help blend the digital and physical worlds. Soon we’ll have AR experiences where you will no longer be able to distinguish what is real and what is computer generated, which will help form an even stronger emotional connection between players and game characters.”

Mammoth Mini Golf AR

Designed to be played on any flat surface and resized from as small as a tabletop to as large as a basketball court,  Mammoth Mini Golf AR features seven courses, each with global leaderboards and trophies. Players can freely move around to get the best angle, set direction and adjust power before putting, all while being careful to avoid mammoths, dino-birds and cavemen trying to stop the ball from reaching its goal.

Additional options also allow players to share photos of themselves with their trophies or hanging out in the game world. Those with the top-of-the-range iPhone X can even become a mammoth animoji. Mammoth Mini Golf AR is available on the Apple store for $2.99 USD. For the latest ARKit offerings, keep reading VRFocus.

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Star Wars: Jedi Challenge – HoloChess ab sofort für iOS verfügbar

Werbung für Virtual Reality Hygiene

Die Star Wars: Jedi Challenge von Lenovo erschien letztes Jahr und bietet Fans mit dem speziellen Set aus AR-Brille, Lichtschwert-Controller und Peilsender die Möglichkeit, in verschiedene Spielmodi im Star Wars-Universum einzutauchen. Ab sofort können auch Besitzer eines neueren iPhone oder iPad den ikonischen Modus HoloChess ohne das bisher obligatorische Zubehör zu spielen.

Star Wars: Jedi Challenge – HoloChess kostenlos für iOS 11 erhältlich

Das HoloChess der Star Wars: Jedi Challenge kann ab sofort mit einem iPhone oder iPad mit ARKit-Support gespielt werden. Das ikonische Spiel aus den Filmen dürfte jedem Fan von Star Wars ein Begriff sein, wenn nicht als HoloChess, dann als Dejarik.

Star-Wars-Jedi-Challenge-Lenovo

Beim bekannten AR-Titel handelt es sich nicht um ein klassisches Schachspiel, sondern um eine Art Tabletop-Game, in dem ihr verschiedene Einheiten auf dem Spielfeld platziert und diese gegeneinander antreten lasst. Die acht unterschiedlichen Kreaturen besitzen verschiedene Fähigkeiten, Eigenschaften und Lebenspunkte, wodurch das Spiel taktische Tiefe erhält. In insgesamt 18 Level auf sechs verschiedenen Planeten spielt ihr euch mit steigendem Schwierigkeitsgrad an die Spitze.

Für die anderen Spielmodi mit Lichtschwertkampf wird jedoch nach wie vor die Hardware von Lenovo vorausgesetzt. Wir haben die Star Wars: Jedi Challenge bereits genauer unter die Lupe genommen und berichten darin in unserem ausführlichen Test:

Seitdem erhielt die Anwendung für das AR-Set bereits neue Inhalte im Stil von The Last Jedi. Dazu zählen der strategische Kampf mit drei neuen Leveln, AT-M6 Walkern, putzige Porgs sowie der neue Aussault-Modus mit weiteren Stages und Gegnern.

Die Star Wars: Jedi Challenges mit HoloChess sind für iOS 11 kostenlos im Apple Store erhältlich. Wann eine Version für Android erscheint, steht aktuell noch nicht fest. Das AR-Set von Lenovo ist derzeit für 199 Euro auf Amazon erhältlich.

(Quellen: Upload VR | Videos: Disney Games Youtube | VR Nerds Youtube)

Der Beitrag Star Wars: Jedi Challenge – HoloChess ab sofort für iOS verfügbar zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

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ARKit: HoloModels bringt Anime-Figuren ins Wohnzimmer

Die neue AR-App HoloModels vom japanischen Unternehmen Gugenka ermöglicht die virtuelle Dekoration der eigenen vier Wände mit Anime-Figuren. Mit der auf ARKit basierenden App können Anwender die Figuren nach eigenem Belieben anpassen und verändern, um ihre persönliche Raumdekoration daraufhin in 360-Grad zu bewundern. Dafür dürfen Nutzer zwischen verschiedenen Charakteren mit unterschiedlichen Gegenständen, Ornamenten und Stickern auswählen, um eine ganz persönliche Szenerie zu erschaffen.

HoloModels – Anpassbare Anime-Raumdeko für das eigene Zuhause

Die AR-App HoloModels von Gugenka ermöglicht die Verschönerung des eigenen Zuhauses mit Anime-Figuren unterschiedlicher Art. Die App setzt auf Apples ARKit, um die japanische Raumdeko in die eigenen vier Wände zu transportieren. Dafür scannt der Nutzer seine Umgebung per iPhone-Kamera ab und darf nach erfolgreicher Kalibrierung mit der Erstellung der eigenen AR-Szene beginnen.

Als virtueller Freizeitraumgestalter darf man zwischen verschiedenen Figuren auswählen, die jeweils mit unterschiedlichen Accessoires erscheinen. Je nach ausgewähltem Modell erscheint ein virtuelles Regal mit vier Sprays zur Anpassung und Individualisierung der Figur. Dadurch sind sowohl Größe, Pose sowie Gesichtsanimation nach eigenem Belieben veränderbar. Zusätzlich kann man seine Kreation mit weiteren Accessoires und Goodies verschönern und in 360-Grad betrachten. Dazu zählen Gegenstände, die man der Figur in die Hand legen kann, sowie Ornamente und Sticker als Verzierungen der Szenerie.

In der kostenlosen Version ist der unternehmenseigene Charakter Megu Shinonome mit sechs an den Körper anlegbaren Gegenständen sowie zehn verschiedenen Raumverzierungen vorhanden. Dadurch sind Nutzer in der Lage, diverse Settings wie beispielsweise eine Musikszene mit Mikrofon und Karaokemaschine nachzustellen. Weitere AR-Figurenpakete lassen sich innerhalb der App käuflich erwerben.

Die AR-App ist ab iOS 11 (iPhone 6 oder neuere Modelle) kompatibel. HoloModels ist kostenlos im Apple Store erhältlich. Eine Android-Version soll ebenfalls folgen.

(Quellen: VR Focus | HoloModels | Video: Gugenka Youtube)

Der Beitrag ARKit: HoloModels bringt Anime-Figuren ins Wohnzimmer zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

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A Guide to ARKit Supported iOS Devices

Apple’s ARKit technology has proved very popular amongst developers, with new augmented reality (VR) videogames and experiences launching for the platform practically everyday. However, ARKit requires iOS 11 in order to run, and even then the performance of the AR technology is not guaranteed. Groove Jones has created an infographic to help you determine whether your device is capable of delivering these early AR experiences.

The Machines ARKit

The ARKit technology was originally announced back in June of this year, with development support from Unreal Engine 4, Unity 2017 and UrhoSharp launching in the following months. Since then, we’ve seen a number of high-profile developers launching AR titles, such as Dream Reality Interactive’s recently released Orbu and PlaySide’s AR Dragon, plus updates to a number of existing videogame properties to incorporate the technology, including Niantic’s hugely successful Pokemon Go.

ARKit stretches beyond videogames of course, with applications ranging from architecture to children’s edutainment getting in on the action. And then there are also hobbyist developers, one of whom decided to recreate the first level of the original Super Mario Bros. videogame in AR with the technology.

The breadth and depth of experiences available for developers to create with ARKit is beyond imagination, however the software is nothing if the end user isn’t able to access the hardware that powers it. Below is an infographic designed by Groove Jones to help you discover which iOS devices are suitable for use with ARKit based videogames and experiences.

ARKit Compatibility InfographicThe range of experiences available for ARKit will only expand in 2018, with Peter Jackson’s Wingnut Studios heavily involved in developing for the platform and the promise of an update for Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade in the wings. More utilities, such as Sketchfab, will likely make use of the platform as well as Google’s Android competitor, ARCore.

More handsets will undoubtedly launch with ARKit support in the future. Apple has openly stated that developer support for the technology has been far above expectations, and as such it’s likely to become a mainstay of the iOS platform from here-on-out. VRFocus will keep you updated with any and all future devices from Apple compatible with the ARKit technology.
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‘Pokémon GO’ Now Uses Apple’s ARKit on iOS 11, Bringing Pokémon Closer to Reality

Pokémon GO, the massively successful location-based mobile game, just got an update on iOS 11 thanks to Apple’s ARKit that gives iPhone 6s and above more realistic Pokémon-catching encounters.

Since it was released in summer 2016, Pokémon GO has been hailed as an augmented reality game capable of immersing you in the world of Pokémon like never before. The only problem is it wasn’t really AR.

Entering a battle to catch one of the elusive pocket monsters left you with two options; a simple battle sequence in a virtual environment, or a pass-through ‘AR mode’ that let you see the Pokémon projected on top of the real world. These projections only allowed for the most basic of interactions though, and wouldn’t actively change position according to the user’s movement in 3D space, making it impossible to walk closer to a Pokémon or even look around it to get a different vantage point—effectively leaving you with little more than a novelty in contrast to the game’s true potential: catching Pokémon as if they were really capable of existing in the physical world.

To that effect, Niantic has pushed what it calls an ‘AR+’ update to its iOS 11 app, allowing for Pokémon to be fixed to a point in space, meaning you can walk up close to Pikachu or Snorlax to see to how they’ll look in the real world.

Now that Pokémon actually have a fixed point in space, physically moving closer to the little beasties makes it easier to throw Pokéballs. To balance this advantage, Pokémon will run away if you get too close. Niantic says in a blogpost announcing AR+ that you’ll have to sneak up close to earn an Expert Handler bonus, but you’ll need to be extra cautious so you don’t scare it away, as an awareness meter now indicates how spooked they are. If the meter fills up, you’re in danger of losing them.

“This is our first step toward making AR capabilities in Pokémon GO even more awesome, opening up the framework for greater AR experiences in the future,” says Niantic.

The company will likely update the Android app at some point, although it would only be capable of running on phones that support Google’s ARCore. Initially supporting both the Pixel line and Samsung S8 line, ARCore is said to roll out to 100 million devices in the coming months though, setting up Niantic’s next big IP, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, to be a smash hit as it hopefully rolls out to both AR-supporting Android and iOS devices.

The post ‘Pokémon GO’ Now Uses Apple’s ARKit on iOS 11, Bringing Pokémon Closer to Reality appeared first on Road to VR.

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How to Train Your AR Dragon with ARKit

Dragons are popular. Many human cultures have stories of giant flying reptiles, and the notion of having a dragon of your very own has been the fantasy basis of a vast variety of movies, books and TV shows, from Game of Thrones to Dragonriders of Pern to How To Train Your Dragon. Now iPhone users can experience this fantasy for themselves.

Developer PlaySide created a simulation title for iOS called AR Dragon, which uses Apple’s ARKit toolset to bring dragons to life using augmented reality (AR) technology. AR Dragon allows users to find, feed, customise and play games with virtual dragons, in the similar way to many other virtual pet titles, only involving large fantasy creatures.

A new update for the title introduces the concept of ageing to the title, so allowing users to watch their dragon grow right from hatching, and train it into a full adult. If users properly take care of their dragons during their babyhood, after six days, they will transform into an adult, and after 14 days, they will become a fully-fledged adult.

Each dragon is unique, but players can find items such as hats and skins to allow users to customise them further. Players can also partake in games with their pet dragon, such as playing catch, or find rare toys or food to collect.

AR Dragon is not the only dragon-based AR app to be released on iOS using ARKit technology, with another called Follow Me Dragon also being launched on the platform, developed by The Virtual Reality Company.

On the charts of ARKit-only mobile game charts, AR Dragon has made up just over a fifth of downloads from the top-ten free ARKit-only titles. The release of ARKit has fuelled a huge increase in the development in AR for iOS, and raised awareness of AR technology as a whole.

VRFocus will bring you further news on ARKit and AR Dragon as it becomes available.

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Play as Bumblebee in Paramount’s new Transformers AR Experience

To coincide with the release of Transformers: The Last Knight on 4K Ultra HD Paramount Home Media Distribution has today unveiled a free augmented reality (AR) experience for iOS app users.

Created by Viacom NEXT using Apple ARKit, Cade’s Junkyard AR Experience incorporates content from the latest film in the blockbuster series, with players controlling the actions of Bumblebee.

Transformers AR Screenshots Car

The app has been designed to appear as the virtual junkyard of protagonist Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), with players able to create their own junkyard before going on a rampage, using Bumblebee to blow everything up, whether that’s in full robot mode using his guns or racing around in vehicle form.

“This augmented reality experience gives fans the chance to interact with the Transformers universe in a new and exciting way,” said Howard Hsieh, Vice President, Worldwide Digital Business Development, Paramount Home Media Distribution in a statement.  “The Transformers films appeal to a vast and diverse audience and we’re excited to give fans the opportunity to get in the driver’s seat and take BUMBLEBEE for a ride.”

 “With ARKit, we can seamlessly bridge virtual and physical worlds to create immersive experiences that bring storytelling to life,” said Chaki Ng, Senior Vice President of Viacom NEXT.  “We‘re thrilled to help break this new ground at Paramount with the iconic Transfomers franchise.”

Cade’s Junkyard AR Experience is free to download from the App Store until February 20, 2018. Users can also order  Transformers: The Last Knight on 4K HDR through the app. Additionally, the Transformers 5-movie Collection will also be available on 4K HDR for purchase exclusively on iTunes beginning today.

The app is Paramount’s first foray into AR, but not the first in terms of immersive entertainment. Earlier this year, in conjunction with Oculus Studios, REWIND, Dreamworks and HERE BE DRAGONS, the companies created the Ghost in the Shell experience to tie-in with the movie.

For the latest AR experiences on iOS 11, keep reading VRFocus.

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Build Your Own AR Experience With Thyng 4.0

The launch of Apple’s ARKit has generated much excitement and activity within the augmented reality (AR) sector, with many brands and companies eager to build or improve apps using the enhanced AR capabilities. What about smaller companies or individuals who wish to build an AR experience? Thyng 4.0 might be the answer.

Powered by ARKit, Thyng allows users to use content on their iPhone or iPad to bring surfaces such as tables to life with AR. Users can project photos and videos and walk around them, seeing them from a new perspective.

Thyng 4.0 was designed with a goal of creating an intuitive, all-purpose AR authoring tool that would let anyone get involved in creating AR experiences. The interface is designed to be a simple ‘tap and drop’ style that will let users add their own photos, videos or use any of the 3D objects available in Thyng’s object library.

“With Thyng 4.0, augmented reality can now be used for self-expression and for creating your own experiences,” said Ed LaHood, CEO of Thyng. “What better way to express yourself than by using your own photos and videos to create amazing augmented reality environments that can exist anywhere — in your home, outside, or anywhere you go!”

Thyng hope its platform will help individuals experiment with creating in AR as well as encourage small companies and brands to raise their profile by incorporating AR into their marketing strategy. Thyng say they are willing to work with companies and brands to build custom experiences using the Thyng app.

Thyng 4.0 is available to download from the Apple App Store for users running iOS 11.

VRFocus will bring you further news on Thyng and ARKit as it becomes available.

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Udacity Launches a ‘Learn ARKit’ Course Created in Collaboration with Unity

With ARKit already baked into the mobile operating system of “hundreds of millions of iPhones and iPads,” the massive potential install base means there’s plenty of reasons for developers to start making new augmented reality apps for Apple’s App Store. Now Udacity, the for-profit online education site that was spawned from free Stanford University computer science classes, has created a course that says will take you one month to complete so you can start making your own AR apps for iOS.

Students can choose to learn to develop AR apps using the Unity game engine, or using Swift in combination with SceneKit, Apple’s own 3D graphics API. Udacity maintains the Unity course, a result of a direct partnership with Unity Technologies, is “the fastest way to learn ARKit.”

Although Udacity offers plenty of free courses, the ARKit course costs actual money; $200 for either Unity or Swift versions. It’s however offered as a discrete course so there’s no monthly fees or tuition cost looming over your head.

The course is said to take about a month to finish if you study 5 hours per week, including video demonstrations and hands-on quizzes and projects. Udacity doesn’t have dedicated professors like university ‘distance learning’ programs, but to make up for the professor-student interaction they provide the opportunity to get detailed feedback from expert project reviewers, and also an online community that can provide real-time support.

Before starting, students need to be familiar with creating iOS applications using Xcode. Udacity provides its own course for beginning iOS develpers, but also stresses that you don’t actually need prior 3D development experience before taking the course.

Udacity offers two courses on VR Development for different skill levels, the lowest ‘Foundation’ course requiring no prior experience to start creating.

The post Udacity Launches a ‘Learn ARKit’ Course Created in Collaboration with Unity appeared first on Road to VR.