Apple Releases ARKit 3.5 for Developers With Support for iPad Pro's LiDAR Scanner

[otternonsense]

You missed my point. Back in 2001 when Jobs announced the iPod with his "1,000 songs in your pocket" catch-phrase, the cynical and imagination-less were crying, "Who asked for a 1,000 songs in your pocket?" Much like people here do today, and your post above (along with others), whenever some new and game-changing tech is brought out.

The new iPad with 3D depth-sensing camera is a great example of that.
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Of course not. ARKit needs a rear-facing 3D depth-sensing camera in order for that to happen.

Nope. Whether you like it or not, the point is about innovation in context – which in this case is extremely niche and contrived, especially when you compare it to a music-on-the-go innovation that offered immediate, tangible benefits and entertainment. Did the iPhone and iPod have loud critics? Sure. Mainly CEOs of other companies who were either too complacent or too sclerotic to imagine a different solution to things. And history proved them wrong. But we're talking as user to user on the same eye level, so your ad hominem is laughable.

In fact, let me quote the Verge on this one: "In short, the LIDAR on the iPad Pro seems quite advanced but built for a software future that hasn’t arrived yet. Beyond home decoration, some shopping, and some games, it’s also unclear whether there’s a real demand for all this technology yet. The most widespread use of AR right now is face filters, and LIDAR doesn’t do much for that yet." (link)

Shooting down conversation before it even starts and calling people who are skeptical about late Apple's decisions "cynical and imaginationless" as if we think all innovation is bad, is shady, insular brandshilling.

 

[citysnaps]

Nope. Whether you like it or not, the point is about innovation in context – which in this case is extremely niche and contrived, especially when you compare it to a music-on-the-go innovation that offered immediate, tangible benefits and entertainment. Did the iPhone and iPod have loud critics? Sure. Mainly CEOs of other companies who were either too complacent or too sclerotic to imagine a different solution to things. And history proved them wrong. But we're talking as user to user on the same eye level, so your ad hominem is laughable.

In fact, let me quote the Verge on this one: "In short, the LIDAR on the iPad Pro seems quite advanced but built for a software future that hasn’t arrived yet. Beyond home decoration, some shopping, and some games, it’s also unclear whether there’s a real demand for all this technology yet. The most widespread use of AR right now is face filters, and LIDAR doesn’t do much for that yet." (link)

Shooting down conversation before it even starts and calling people who are skeptical with late Apple's decisions "cynical and imaginationless" as if we think all innovation is bad, is shady, insular brandshilling.

Thank you. It's very clear where you stand. Have a great day!

 

[otternonsense]

Thank you. It's very clear where you stand. Have a great day!

Yes, to the corner of an long term Apple user who defends their opinion with arguments. It's very clear where YOU stand. Whether you are a stockholder or an Apple employee, don't worry, the stock buybacks will continue to make you money for now.

 

[citysnaps]

Yes, to the corner of an long term Apple user who defends their opinion with arguments. It's very clear where YOU stand. Whether you are a stockholder or an Apple employee, don't worry, the stock buybacks will continue to make you money for now.

Your opinion has been expressed. Please, relax.

 

[otternonsense]

Your opinion has been expressed. Please, relax.

I'm very relaxed, even when an insidious shill tries to twist an "I think this innovation is niche" argument into a "all innovation is bad" blanket statement to defend their employer. I'm always open to conversation, it's you who sarcastically withdrew from it.

 

[citysnaps]

True, but I don’t think ARKit is the runaway success just yet. There’s some other shoe yet to drop.

I think the other shoe will come from developers releasing apps that are simple in nature (at first) to show the potential of AR with a real LIDAR camera. That will stir imagination and development from others towards developing more complex solutions; such as AR-assisted surgery (already in use for a few years), information-augmented maintenance/inspections for roads/industrial plants/etc, automobile repair, landscaping, city planning, building site development, education, inventory management, instruction, manufacturing, and more.

Seems most of the tech is in place; ARKit, a fast iPad with large screen, and a LIDAR camera. Which will spur development for cases where using a handheld device with large interactive screen makes sense. Later, when AR glasses are released, that will open other opportunities that need to be hands-free (similar to AR-assisted surgery, as an example).

 

[chucker23n1]

I'm very relaxed, even when an insidious shill [..]

Dude, come on.
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I think the other shoe will come from developers releasing apps that are simple in nature (at first) to show the potential of AR with a real LIDAR camera.

Software-wise, yes, the killer app isn't quite there. Why would I hold an iPad somewhere?

Seems most of the tech is in place; ARKit, a fast iPad with large screen, and a LIDAR camera. Which will spur development for cases where using a handheld device with large interactive screen makes sense. Later, when AR glasses are released, that will open other opportunities that need to be hands-free (similar to AR-assisted surgery, as an example).

Exactly: hardware-wise, it feels like iPhone and iPad are merely the testing grounds, and the real hardware will be something different such as glasses.

 

[citysnaps]

Software-wise, yes, the killer app isn't quite there. Why would I hold an iPad somewhere?

I think that's an acceptable first step for many. Especially if the AR app being used needs a display and gestures from the user; swiping, zooming, tilting, bringing in and zooming on information panels, etc. Or if there are multiple people involved needing to look at a single display - say a group of inspectors doing an industrial plant inspection/maintenance.

That could be done with AR-glasses through virtual finger/hand gestures. But that's a ways off.

I think there will be apps where a tablet is more appropriate, and apps where glasses are better.

 

[chucker23n1]

I think there will be apps where a tablet is more appropriate, and apps where glasses are better.

Could be!

Seems oddly specific for Apple, though. I still think there's something big they aren't telling us yet. Whether that's glasses or not.

 

[citysnaps]

Could be!

Seems oddly specific for Apple, though. I still think there's something big they aren't telling us yet. Whether that's glasses or not.

I think glasses are out there. Maybe by the end of the year? I suspect Apple is working with AR software developers that will have some killer apps in time.

Here's a simple situation where a tablet could be better (similar situations would apply when multiple people are involved). Let's say a family just built a new home. And it's time to decorate and furnish it. Some people hire interior decorators for that. The ID comes over to talk about options and possibilities.

The ID opens an iPad and with that walks through the house along with the family in tow. Software and LIDAR camera assesses the room in real-time and let's the ID drop in furniture, carpets, wall paint, paintings, light fixtures, kitchen appliances, window treatments, etc from model libraries from multiple manufacturers within the software though finger gestures on the iPad. The whole family can view what's happening, weigh in, make suggestions, changes, etc as they're walking though the house.

Or perhaps the homeowner's family doesn't want to engage an ID and will do this themselves with available free model libraries and a consumer version of the AR software. IKEA has had something like this for simple things but it's very basic and not sophisticated.

 

[CarpalMac]

Nineteen years ago that would have been: I'll take Who Needs 1,000 Songs in Your Pocket for $100, Alex.

That is all I wanted back then, and long before. Winamp showed the way. This, not so sure yet.

 

[chucker23n1]

I think glasses are out there. Maybe by the end of the year? I suspect Apple is working with AR software developers that will have some killer apps in time.

Here's a simple situation where a tablet could be better (similar situations would apply when multiple people are involved). Let's say a family just built a new home. And it's time to decorate and furnish it. Some people hire interior decorators for that. The ID comes over to talk about options and possibilities.

The ID opens an iPad and with that walks through the house along with the family in tow. Software and LIDAR camera assesses the room in real-time and let's the ID drop in furniture, carpets, wall paint, paintings, light fixtures, kitchen appliances, window treatments, etc from model libraries from multiple manufacturers within the software though finger gestures on the iPad. The whole family can view what's happening, weigh in, make suggestions, changes, etc as they're walking though the house.

Or perhaps the homeowner's family doesn't want to engage an ID and will do this themselves with available free model libraries and a consumer version of the AR software. IKEA has had something like this for simple things but it's very basic and not sophisticated.

Yeah, indoor measurements are a good use case.

In practice, for now, apps like IKEA's suffer from the lack of LIDAR. Or, to put that differently, they'll benefit handsomely, for free, from the new iPad Pro.