PeelX is a specialist in the creation of AR apps.
Based in the UK, the team at PeelX creates all kinds of immersive experiences that transport people into a whole new world of brand-new experiences.
Augmented Reality
Apps (AR apps) Created by PeelX
Innovation, creativity and an in-depth understanding of the necessary technology underpin every PeelX app, whether the focus is on creating the perfect Halloween trail or offering a new way of delivering archaeological storytelling.
AR apps created by PeelX include ground-breaking interactive features for clients across tourism, heritage, education, retail and arts and culture.
The team works at the forefront of AR experiences and has evolved over ten years from a small team of pioneering developers to industry leaders. In short, there’s not much they don’t know about making AR applications.
In this blog, PeelX talks about what makes the best AR apps.
The Basics – What
Exactly is an AR App?
An AR app utilises augmented reality to create an experience that a business, project or gaming platform can offer customers. A integrates digital data with the real world, real-time environment, creating a distinctive blend of environment and perceptual information laid over the top of it.
In simple terms, an AR app will offer users a window into a different view of the natural environment in a certain way. They can also give the users extra information to overlay what they’re seeing with augmented images.
Archaeological and Historical Use Cases for AR
For example, our archaeological AR app allows visitors to the Outer Hebrides and specifically the islands of North and South Uist, to overlay historical information onto the current landscape.
The best AR apps transport the user into a different augmented reality, and as such are ideal for educational and informational purposes, decision-making and entertainment.
How Do AR Apps Work?
Augmented reality either visually changes the user’s surrounding environment in some way or gives that user extra information they wouldn’t otherwise have.
To do this, augmented reality blends 3D and digital components with the user’s own interpretation of what they’re seeing in the non-augmented reality around them. By delivering sound and visual elements, as well as other sensory-related information to the user, augmented reality changes their perception of the world.
Augmented reality can be delivered to the user via smartphone games, devices such as Google Lens and heads-up (HUD) displays on car windshields. And, of course, via augmented reality apps for Android and iPhone for use on tablets and smartphones.
Technology Needed For AR Apps
AR apps need certain technology to work, including input devices, sensors, processors and a suitable display. This is why mobiles are ideal as they already include all of this tech, alongside sensors, cameras, solid-state compasses and GPS.
All of this has created a kind of tech tipping point that has vastly expanded the reach of AR apps and AR features in general. In 2022, AR apps are as accessible as social media. It’s also possible for the best augmented reality apps to include AR effects within gameplay or another form of entertainment/information.
AR experiences vary according to the industry that the AR experience is designed for, and they have almost endless real-world use cases. For example, the military uses many extremely in-depth and sophisticated AR programmes for training purposes. Users can benefit from the gesture recognition, recognition of objects and machine vision that the most advanced AR apps can provide.
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Popular AR Apps Already in Use
In addition to the Ikea Place app and Pokemon Go, there are plenty of apps for Android and Apple that have become popular in recent years. For example, Snapchat’s app uses AR in its vast array of filters users can overlay over their pictures.
Google Lens is an AR app designed to be used by iPhone and Android users to add information to photographs taken by the person who chose to download it.
Within the military, AR is delivered via a wearable device known as Tactical Augmented Reality, which can be fixed to the helmet of the user. It’s then used by the soldier to locate colleagues.
Big Retail Brands That Use AR
Major brands like Target and Ikea place have leapt on the tangible business case for including AR within their apps. Being able to offer consumers or potential business partners a free version of Google Lens, for example, can be a game changer.
The best augmented reality apps add something to the user’s life and experience. And of course, as the technology becomes more advanced and more accessible more and more start-ups and entrepreneurs are also becoming interested in launching their own AR apps.
The Future of AR Usage
According to Statista, by 2024 there will be around 1.7 billion AR user devices worldwide. This is an increase of 1.5 billion from the stats in 2015, showing just how fast and how significant this growth is.
A top AR app is Snapchat, which has 332 million daily active users and they’re all using the AR that’s within the app’s core architecture.
Another of the top augmented reality apps we’ve already mentioned is Pokemon Go, which has so far generated more than 14.4 million downloads.
The key regions for AR tech users are the US, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. By 2025, it’s estimated that almost half of shoppers in these regions will be using AR to shop online.
AR Apps Boost the Bottom Line
Consumer benefits associated with the best AR apps are self-evident, but what about the business case for corporations?
Augmented reality applications can be used as part of your core business model, in ad campaigns, or as part of services and products aimed at people all around the world.
Primarily useful as a sign of an innovative approach to business, the best AR apps can be used to create an image of your brand that customers will respond well to.
AR Becoming More Popular with Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs
For start-ups and entrepreneurs, there is even more impetus to leverage AR, as well as traditional media such as video sharing as an interactive addition to advertising and marketing campaigns.
In our opinion, the best AR apps that do well are those that grab people’s attention and boost brand awareness in a way that offers more to the customer – whether that’s educational or fun.
When it comes to advertising, there’s something really attractive to people about a brand that allows you to virtually sample or otherwise experience the product or service they’re considering.
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From Google Lens to Retail Apps Using AR Technology
We’ve spoken about Snapchat, Ikea Place and Google Lens, but these are only a few of the fun apps that are already in use. People can download it on iOS or Android and immediately access sophisticated AR tech.
We particularly love Google Lens as it’s part of one of our areas of experience – traveling and tourism. People can use it to take pictures on their camera and then the Google app adds details about the objects in the picture. Google translates text and then slots all of this data into a map to help people find their way around – pretty good for a phone app!
In the US, Home Depot has an app that’s similar to Ikea’s in that it allows consumers to virtually ‘try on’ and try out furniture and home accessories before they decide to buy. Another major retailer, Target, has a similar app with the same kind of features, all ready for anyone to download and use in real-time.
AR Brings People Together
At PeelX, we specialise in the kinds of AR experiences that bring people together and create apps for Android and iOS.
Much of our work has been with local authorities and heritage sites in the UK to find ways to boost the recovery of the country’s High Streets using AR trail apps.
By incorporating features in our Peel Enhance platform as standard, rather than as expensive extras, we’re bringing AR and XR experiences to local and small businesses.
We believe that the market for AR is on a steady upward trajectory and that there will be ever more use cases for it in the future.
The Transformative Impact of the AR Experience.
As more and more people around the world gradually gain the technology needed to use it, the more it will enhance lives. Google transformed website usage and AR apps will transform the way we all bring digital tech into our day-to-day lives.
We constantly explore new possibilities and refuse to limit our creative innovation when we design and support apps, whether to boost ads for a client or to enhance the space around their customers.
At The Forefront of Innovative Tech
There are so many uses for AR across just about every sector and at PeelX, we are at the forefront of this shift. To discuss your requirements or to find out more, about what we can create for you, click here. Every app is bespoke and carefully designed to create the optimal experience, whether it’s for enhancing ads or boosting interest in stores.
Developing and supporting AR apps is something we know inside and out. It’s part of our focus on creating new realities, along with bringing learning and discovery to life through interactive experiences, virtual reality experiences and 2D and 3D interactive experiences.
The Importance of Hardware
The finest creative content needs the right kind of hardware to drive it forward. From sound systems to AR tech, the multi-talented dev team at PeelX can do it. You bring the idea, and we can create the experience.
