Latest ARKit Demos Include Sculpting, Food Ordering, Virtual Pets and Zombies

[MacRumors]

Apple's iOS 11 update is just weeks away, and as the launch date approaches, developers have been experimenting with ARKit, the set of augmented reality tools Apple built into the operating system.

We already know ARKit will work with a huge range of apps, from games to utilities to shopping, and the latest demos below give us an even better picture of what our iPhones and iPads will be capable of once ARKit-based apps are available to the public.

In the first video, a company named Kabaq demonstrates virtual food on a plate, which is how future food ordering apps might take advantage of ARKit. Using Apple's feature, restaurants will be able to give customers a 3D look at what different dishes look like.

In a second video, ARKit is used for painting and sculpting, with developer Fabin Rasheed demoing a sculpture using the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro. His app, MakerStudio, is designed to allow users to create 3D objects and then paint them, all using augmented reality.

A third video for an upcoming game called ARZombi shows off how ARKit might be used in an ultra realistic augmented reality game. In the demo, virtual zombies are shown invading a person's living room using ARKit.

An ARKit world creation game was also shown off earlier this month, further demonstrating the kind of games that will be made possible with Apple's augmented reality tools. In the game, players control a tabletop world populated with villagers.

Finally, an upcoming virtual pet game that's currently on Kickstarter gives us a peek at what could be a super popular ARKit app category -- Tamagotchi-style apps where a virtual pet is brought into the real world.

Playing fetch in the park with Peanut!🐶🌳 (We're on #Kickstarter! https://t.co/k4ZcIowxRr)#madewitharkit #arkit #vr #indiedev #gamedev pic.twitter.com/IpQEc1Io6W - Ridgeline Labs (@ridgelinelabs) August 20, 2017

We're nearing the end of the iOS 11 beta testing period. Apple is likely to release a golden master version of iOS 11 on the iPhone event day, which is rumored for September 12, followed by an official iOS 11 public release a few days ahead of when new iPhone models go on sale.

When iOS 11 releases, we'll start seeing the first ARKit apps in the App Store. Before then, make sure to check out all of our previous ARKit coverage below to see what else developers can do with it:

- ARKit Roundup: Turn-by-Turn Directions, Precise Room Measurements, and Pac-Man
- Apple's ARKit Used to Recreate Classic A-ha 'Take On Me' Video
- Apple Users' Mixed Reality Future Teased in Latest ARKit Demo
- Latest Apps to Showcase Apple's ARKit Include Simple Measuring Tape and Minecraft
- Developers Share First Augmented Reality Creations Using Apple's ARKit
- Latest ARKit Demo Showcases Virtual Drawing

Article Link: Latest ARKit Demos Include Sculpting, Food Ordering, Virtual Pets and Zombies

 

[AngerDanger]

Now they just need an ARKit app that allows you to point your device at two Apple products and get a visual of the cords, adaptors, and dongles required to connect them. It could even list their cumulative price!

 

[Zirel]

In respect to AR, Apple came, Apple saw and Apple won.

Where's Google, Microsoft and Facebook AR now? Where are the doubters that said that Apple was behind the race?

 

[Taipan]

I know it‘s only a demo, but what is the advantage of watching the food in AR? It doesn‘t offer anything over just watching a video, apart from being able to see it on YOUR table and plate (yay)?
And the one in the standing restaurant is even worse, is there even any „R“ on the screen?

 

[nikicampos]

So basically an IHOP menu with 3d pics for upscale restaurants and a Tamagotchi for 2017, what a time to be alive..

Still nothing but a gimmick that only a few will take advantage of it.

 

[TreyCox]

I continue to be amazed at the potential of AR.

 

[BruceEBonus]

Like self driving cars, AI and AR. They'll all be awesome someday. For now. Let us revel in what could happen possibly even in the next generation of technological wondership.

Or. Something.

Yeah.

Next!

 

[Attirex]

I was excited for AR right up until....3D food menus.

 

[hashholly]

I know it‘s only a demo, but what is the advantage of watching the food in AR? It doesn‘t offer anything over just watching a video, apart from being able to see it on YOUR table and plate (yay)?
And the one in the standing restaurant is even worse, is there even any „R“ on the screen?

Actually being able to interact with it, sure you can see food on a video in 3D but theres something a bit more personal when you can interact, see it on the plate in front of you, especially if its proportional.

The one standing up to see seems less necessary, unless they also leave a plate their for proportion reasons.

 

[Zirel]

I know it‘s only a demo, but what is the advantage of watching the food in AR? It doesn‘t offer anything over just watching a video, apart from being able to see it on YOUR table and plate (yay)?
And the one in the standing restaurant is even worse, is there even any „R“ on the screen?

What's the advantage of the cell phone? Practically in every place you go there is a phone booth!

It's not even about the restaurant menu, it's the enabling technology.

 

[coolfactor]

What's the advantage of the cell phone? Practically in every place you go there is a phone booth!

It's not even about the restaurant menu, it's the enabling technology.

The carriers missed the opportunity to turn every phone booth into a phone charging station.

 

[GeneralChang]

Okay, who else wants a port of Populous II that uses stuff like this? Just me? m'kay.
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I know it‘s only a demo, but what is the advantage of watching the food in AR? It doesn‘t offer anything over just watching a video, apart from being able to see it on YOUR table and plate (yay)?

It might help you judge portion size better since you could like, stick your hand out to compare? Maybe?

 

[alexe]

Kabaq is honestly the typical Silicon Valley bullsh1t startup using technology just for the sake of using technology, without adding much actual value. This will CHANGE ordering in restaurants FOREVER! Truly revolutionary! Nothing will ever be the same!

As with 90% of all tech startups, it's a solution to a non-existent problem. There are ideas that are actually useful and make our lives better, and then there are ideas like this one.

 

[brunosh]

Wow, Apple did it, once again. The possibilities are endless! AR is the next big thing indeed!

 

[JPLC]

All of this looks great and amazing but I guess that I'm more interested in AR combined with an adapter for your iPhone. Two things I can think of are in the way: the iPhone needs a higher resolution display and the camera should be aligned and stereoscopic to make a realistic "see trough" experience.

Call it crazy but I think that this would make a killer update for the iPhone. It would also mean a lot more possibilities for developers. Imagine how the world would look like trough your iPhone, literally.

 

[djcerla]

Now they just need an ARKit app that allows you to point your device at two Apple products and get a visual of the cords, adaptors, and dongles required to connect them. It could even list their cumulative price!

I've just installed a new Apple product (iMac 27") with a grand total of zero adapters, extra cables and dongles needed.

 

[NecroKill]

In respect to AR, Apple came, Apple saw and Apple won.

Where's Google, Microsoft and Facebook AR now? Where are the doubters that said that Apple was behind the race?

This is bigger and more useful than VR too.

 

[WatchTheThrone]

I'm sure they'll be a lot of pointless AR apps but think of the really good ones that will come too. I for one am excited for what the future holds.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Zombies? So Apple IS letting Android users access iOS. I kid, I kid.

 

[djcerla]

All of this looks great and amazing but I guess that I'm more interested in AR combined with an adapter for your iPhone. Two things I can think of are in the way: the iPhone needs a higher resolution display and the camera should be aligned and stereoscopic to make a realistic "see trough" experience.

Call it crazy but I think that this would make a killer update for the iPhone. It would also mean a lot more possibilities for developers. Imagine how the world would look like trough your iPhone, literally.

Nobody wants a huge visor. HTC is selling off the Vive division for scraps.

AR devices must be as light as air.

 

[breather]

Image a worldbulider app, like minecraft, sim sity or something more realistic where I can build a world in my apartment that is saved between sessions, and is accessible by visitors to my apartment.

Also, if that would be possible, think of what could be built outside in your hometown.
Maybe collaborate with others and build a massive jungle downtown.

A hidden world, everywhere.

That would be pretty cool I think.

 

[MoreAwesomeDanU]

I know it‘s only a demo, but what is the advantage of watching the food in AR? It doesn‘t offer anything over just watching a video, apart from being able to see it on YOUR table and plate (yay)?
And the one in the standing restaurant is even worse, is there even any „R“ on the screen?

Are you serious? I bet if a restaurant did an AB test, the AR menu would increase average spending per table exponentially. One of the biggest barrier to entries to a new restaurant is not knowing what to order. Thats why people look at food pictures on yelp all the time.

Now imagine having the food displayed right in front of you in AR, along with reviews and people's comments.

Now imagine doing that BEFORE you even decide on what restaurant to go to, all in the comfort of you home.

This is game changing. Can't believe how people are calling this a gimmick
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So basically an IHOP menu with 3d pics for upscale restaurants and a Tamagotchi for 2017, what a time to be alive..

Still nothing but a gimmick that only a few will take advantage of it.

Ya... And instagram is basically a digital photo album; Google is a table of contents at a library; the smartphone a miniature laptop that fits in your pocket; and none of those things ever changed our lives...

 

[JosephAW]

The kids will love the new AR pets.

 

[Vanilla35]

Don't get me wrong, that dog is cute as hell, and it's kind of funny to watch/interact with (Pokemon GO also was big for this reason) - but am I the only one who thinks this is a relatively unnecessary form of interaction? Just seems like unless you're using it for a specific purpose (although a 3D menu wasn't exactly what I was thinking), that it's kind of annoying.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

This concept is really taking off.