Augmented reality is one of those technologies that has been making its way today, so much so that we can not only access it thanks to VR glasses, but we can also find it on mobile devices themselves. In this way, we find a world full of possibilities. Well, it allows us to use the camera of the terminals to unleash endless options.
In addition, it is not only present in a certain operating system, since both Android smartphones and Apple mobile devices with iOS are now compatible with innumerable augmented reality applications. Although, to be able to enjoy this we have to know if our phone is compatible. Besides that it is interesting to know what it is exactly.
Is my Android compatible?
We have to start from the basis that every smartphone or user who wants to use this augmented reality will need to have a decent camera, a powerful enough processor and sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscope. And not only this.
As we said before, it will not matter to have an Android mobile or an Apple phone that has iOS, the important thing is that they can run a specific technology. In the case of mobile devices with the Google operating system, they must be able to run ARCore , while in the case of iPhone they must be compatible with ARKit . But how do we check it?
If we want to use this technology, the first thing we have to do is make sure that the phone that we have in our possession is able to run the necessary software, be it ARCore or ARKit, without any problem. And not only this, but you must have specific hardware as well. In general terms, we are talking about integrated hardware so that the camera of our terminal can recognize the world around us without any difficulty. And all in order to virtually place different elements necessary to create an illusion of a non-existent world.
In the case of having a mobile device with Android, we will have to access this link that will take us to the ARCore website . Inside, we will find an immense list in which the mobile will appear, the model of the phone in question and the minimum software that it must have so that it can run augmented reality. To make your search easier, we must use the option of our browser to do a quick search.
We have used Google Chrome, and once inside that website we have clicked on the three upper points that will appear in the upper right> Search on the page. Then a search bar will be displayed at the top. This is where we must enter the model of our terminal or the brand, as it appears in the previous image.
And it is that, it is necessary to bear in mind that, although this ARCore technology needs at least Android 7, the truth is that there are different mobile devices that will necessarily need to have a higher version to be able to run augmented reality.
Check your iPhone
To get to know this information in Apple terminals, the truth is that it will be much easier. More than anything because the list is much shorter than in the previous section. Basically because the number of models with iOS is much lower. In addition, it is necessary to start from the base that to get to run ARKit it will be necessary that the phone has iOS 11. In addition to an A9 processor or later. In this case, the list is as follows:
- iPhone 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.
- iPhone 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
- iPhone XR.
- iPhone XS Max.
- iPhone XS.
- iPhone X.
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
- iPhone 6S and Plus.
- iPhone SE.
How to use?
The possibilities and precision of this technology have increased over time. And, as we have just seen, not all smartphones are compatible with AR, since they are not able to take advantage of all its capabilities. In addition, for its correct operation today we have to base ourselves on three key aspects:
- The monitoring of the movement using the different sensors of the terminal itself and the intelligent recognition of the smartphone camera.
- Environmental understanding : it is the ability to detect the size and location of different surfaces, as well as their angles.
- Estimate the light : this means that the phone manages to estimate the light of a specific place to use that information and integrate different elements in a virtual way and make it look totally realistic.
Also, in the case of Android, ARCore is an API created by Google. This is why you will need the mobile to have Google Play Services installed for AR, available on Google Play. Although, the different applications that need ARCore can invoke your installation. Therefore, in order to start using it on your Android mobile, you will need to install the following application from the Play Store:
However, for Apple smartphones it will only be necessary to have one of the models that we have left you before. And once you have installed the previous service on your Android mobile and you have one of the previous iPhones, it will be time to go on to test AR on your own. To do this, you will only need to download an app that has this technology from the application store of your terminal. Like, for example, Snapchat or Pokémon GO.
In this way, with this technology you will be able to make objects with augmented reality . And not only will the different video game apps help us to give more creativity to our imagination, but it will also be very useful both to obtain routes on Google Maps. In addition to, for example, to measure objects, create objects and put them in our own home to see how they would look, among many other functionalities. That is why, as a user, the only thing you will need to know mainly is if your mobile is compatible or not. And then start testing this technology in different applications.
