Augmented Reality all set to blend your physical and digital world into one

Augmented Reality is a new-age technology that overlays digital information above physical environments as seen by a user through a digital device.

It is exciting, entertaining and holds great promise for the future where Internet of Things and similar technologies will be commonplace. Contrary to common belief, AR does not always require a wearable device as is a feature of Virtual Reality. Users can experience AR with a basic hardware utility like their smartphone cameras.

How AR can make a difference to daily lives?

Augmented reality takes the tech enabled lifestyle a step ahead with its endless array of abilities.

Paving the future of digital marketing

AR creates a ‘wow factor’. It presents customers with a refreshing digital experience that surprises right from the first glance. It has the capability to keep customers hooked to the digital experience, which is just what brands need for creating user engagement. Using AR users can scan a newspaper, poster or any print media by pointing their mobile cameras at it for a 3D experience.

Telefonica O2, the UK based mobile operator is one of the early adopters of AR app development based advertising strategies. The company invested in AR mobile app development for iOS and Android devices through which users can unlock digital content like 3D animations, videos and even online coupons.

Augmented Reality - A massive influencer in ecommerce sector

76% of online shoppers confirm that advanced product viewing facilities are extremely important in making a buying decision. The facilities also play a vital role in returning to the site for a subsequent purchase in the near future. ~ Limelight Networks

Customers strongly believe that what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG). It is here that Augmented Reality mobile app development can become a game-changer for ecommerce companies. AR enabled mobile apps will enable customers to view products in varying sizes, patterns, models or any other customization that they seek for before buying a product.

This will drive cost cuttings as customers make informed product decisions thus cutting short the number of product returns and the costs associated with it substantially. Also, customer support can be upped by notches as all related information about a product like dimensions, material, fitting, etc. can be served directly and instantly.

Real-time information gathering becomes literally ‘real’

AR can render real-time information that is direct, factual and in most cases leading to further discoveries. Users can scan complete information about a product, place or even person using their smartphone camera.

By developing Augmented Reality applications, warehouses can transform their operations by providing visual cues to staffs. It can direct them to the right products that need to be picked and packed for shipment. In ecommerce, customers will be able to use AR for multiple virtual trials without having the difficulty to go into the trial room physically.

Geolocation gets spot on with additional  information

Navigation will become more interactive as customers will be able to scan and find detailed information like cafes nearby, seats availability, rates offered, customer reviews and much more simply by pointing their smartphone cameras at the building.

Directions and pointers to a destination will also become intuitive with detailed information that will reduce accidents and possible mishaps that are commonplace in real life scenarios.

Big Brands that are heading the AR way

Here are a handful of big brands that are cutting it deep with Augmented reality mobile app development.

IKEA

Swedish furniture maker IKEA invested in AR mobile app development and was able to mine back rich returns in the form of user engagement and increased sales conversions. The app (developed by Mataio) enabled customers to see how fitting a furniture was in their homes.

Audi

Luxury carmaker Audi gave printed auto manuals a skip and chose to build Augmented Reality apps for its new range of cars. These manuals come to life by providing instant vital stats about the car and also troubleshooting feedback when the service lights get turned on.

Intel

Intel is one an acquisition spree of all startups and enterprises that are building Augmented Reality apps for Android and iOs devices.

Matt Margolis, chief analyst at Wall Street Forensics, estimates that Intel’s acquisitions and investments in the field exceed $300 million and may be as high as $500 million.

The tech company has so far acquired 5 AR companies and is said to be in the process of launching its own line of AR headsets.

The path ahead

Augmented Reality app development will pioneer the next wave of tech enabled lifestyle. It will simplify daily routine tasks for users while making businesses more efficient through continuous streaming of floating information on digital screens. It will blur the grey area that presently exists between physical and digital worlds.