Siri’s an AR star in stunning iPhone 8 concept

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iPhone 8 concept
Imagining the iPhone of the future.
Photo: Gabor Balogh

A stunning new iPhone 8 concept imagines what it would be like if Siri could use AR to interact with the real world.

Recent but questionable rumors claim Apple is working on new augmented reality experiences that will launch this year alongside its major iPhone redesign.

So it’s not completely crazy to believe Apple is working on new AR and virtual reality technologies that could arrive this year with iPhone 8 (or “iPhone X,” or “iPhone Edition,” depending on which rumors you read).

The company reportedly has a secret team of people exploring VR headsets, and Apple acquired AR startup Metaio back in May 2015.

What’s more, Tim Cook stated during a recent interview that Apple’s interest in AR is “huge.”

Apple AR concept art

Here’s one awesome way all those factors could converge. This iPhone 8 concept, designed by Gabor Balogh, features a a gorgeous edge-to-edge display and mini Touch Bar — and it also gives us a glimpse at how Siri could use AR technology to interact with objects in the real world.

Balogh imagines that raising the iPhone would automatically result in a translucent interface that uses the rear-facing iSight camera to show objects and landmarks behind the device. Pressing the Siri button would allow users to issue commands based on what they see.

Siri AR concept
Identifying landmarks.
Photo: Gabor Balogh

For instance, you could hold the phone up to a statue or building and ask Siri to identify it. Contextual shortcuts would then appear in the Touch Bar, allowing users to quickly find the landmark on a map, take a photo of it, share it to Facebook, or find reviews on Yelp.

Balogh even suggests that the technology could be used to find out how healthy loved ones are by pointing the camera at them, then asking Siri to check out their Health data that’s synced to iCloud.

iPhone AR could work with other apps

Siri AR concept
Scary, but useful?
Photo: Gabor Balogh

Balogh also imagines that AR could be used inside third-party apps like Facebook, allowing users to watch live events from different perspectives.

Although Apple is interested in AR, Cook said just last month that there are “things to discover before that technology is good enough for the mainstream.” This suggests that whatever the company is working on won’t be ready in time for iPhone 8 this fall.

Siri AR concept
How AR could be used for better turn-by-turn navigation.
Photo: Gabor Balogh

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