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Snap Introduces Enhanced AR Capabilities with Location Tracking
Lenses developed by Snap now incorporate advanced location data functionalities, utilizing GPS, GNSS, and compass orientations. As part of their latest announcement, Snap showcased several demonstrations highlighting these new features. One standout example, NavigatAR from Utopia Labs, crafts directional arrows that guide users towards their intended destinations with remarkable precision. Additionally, the Path Pioneer lens empowers developers to design augmented reality walking courses, complete with waypoints that direct users along specific routes, which could serve practical purposes for exploring city streets or navigating through museums and art installations.
In a parallel development, Niantic has enhanced the Peridot Beyond game by integrating multiplayer features made possible through the use of location data. This update allows users to see and interact with their AR Dot characters alongside those of their friends within a shared session. Furthermore, developers now have the capability to integrate leaderboards into AR games, fostering competitive engagement that encourages players to return and achieve higher scores.
Another significant innovation comes with the release of Snap’s Spectacles, which now feature an augmented reality keyboard boasting both full and numeric layouts. This enhancement is coupled with improved hand tracking technology that enhances precision in targeting, while minimizing the occurrence of false inputs during typing. A newly introduced grab gesture further enriches Lens interactions, and the hand tracking system has been updated to recognize when users are holding their smartphones.
However, it’s worth noting that Snap has not yet released a consumer version of its AR Spectacles. Currently, the fifth-generation Spectacles, which offer a modest battery life of 45 minutes, remain available exclusively to developers. Access to these devices is granted through an application process using the company’s Lens Studio desktop tool, with a rental cost of $99 per month and a commitment of at least one year to the rental agreement.
Source
www.theverge.com