An augmented reality application could reportedly become one of the default apps in iOS14. This would allow any iPhone user to view their location with AR at any time.
This is apparently part of Apple’s embrace of augmented reality this year, with the company reportedly building 3D scanners into the next-generation iPhone and iPad.
iOS 14 takes augmented reality mainstream
Apple’s AR application is code named Gobi, according to 9to5Mac, who claims to have obtained an early build of iOS 14. It would show computer-generated images superimposed on the real world. AR is different from virtual reality, which replaces the real world with a simulation.
And AR tags might be added to Apple’s augmented reality tools. These reportedly would allow businesses to place in a store a QR-like tag that would be replaced a virtual object when viewed through an iPhone.
Apple might be trying to get companies to embrace AR for advertising reasons. It already provides tools to allow online retailers to project their products into the real world.
To make augmented reality more accurate, Apple’s upcoming iPhone and iPad will supposedly include Time of Flight (ToF) sensors. These would held the mobile devices accurately place virtual objects into real world scenes.
The big next step could be AR glasses. Apple could have a pair on the market as soon as 2022.
