Augmented Reality – The Feature of Future Smartphones?
Augmented Reality
Smartphones are the most common thing now. They are much different to the so-called mobiles. As the name already indicates that they are much more intelligent than mobile phones.
These are handy devices that every person uses as means of communication with friends and relatives. Earlier, phones were used for calling purposes. But now, with advancements in technology, phones are used for multiple purposes. A simple smartphone is now loaded with multiple apps, cameras and, of course, the primary calling functions.
This article will show what features you can expect to see on future smartphones, starting with smartphones from the year 2022. This will allow us to see how the industry is evolving and what we can expect in terms of tech. The devices will be compared with the current smartphones, to which the new features will be added to.
Let’s start with an article about a few new features that are already making their way to the market.
Augmented Reality
This is the most exciting feature that will appear on smartphones in the future. The way it works is that the user will have to hold the smartphone and point it in the direction of the object or person. By doing so, a live image will be projected right next to the person or object being pointed at. With this augmented reality, we will be able to point our smartphones and see objects and videos in reality on the screen, all while we’re still looking at it.
How it will be
We know that there are already a lot of augmented reality applications for smartphones in the market today. Google, for instance, has their Google Glass.
Augmented reality has always been a dream for many engineers, as it can become a new market segment in the future. We have already seen augmented reality on smartphones before with the introduction of the Samsung Gear VR.
A lot of the features we can see on future smartphones will also include this new technology. A good example is the Sony smartphone with the name Xperia XZ Premium. With this device, Sony will launch the world’s first smartphone that the voice can control.
This will be possible because the phone will include two microphones to take in the user’s voice. The device can then interpret what we are trying to say and make the necessary adjustments to the system.
This way, we will be able to control the phone in the same way as a remote control in a movie theatre. Some smartphones include a similar function today. However, this will be the first smartphone that we will control entirely with the voice.
It is very likely that the technology will be integrated with the screen and will be available in all smartphones in the future.
What is AR?
What is augmented reality? Let’s take a look at the most basic definition of AR:
Augmented Reality is any technology that creates an interaction between the real world and a virtual world. We will use that as a reference to help understand what it is and what its purpose is.
Augmented reality is a technology that allows users to access an object or place from a different perspective. This can be done through different tools that are included in the phone.
The smartphone, in fact, is the central tool in this technology, and it is the only device that includes the necessary sensors to allow users to access different objects or places.
In order to better understand what this technology can offer, let’s take a look at an example: Imagine you are going to a restaurant in a foreign country and you want to search for a place to eat lunch. You look up the place online, but you don’t have the information about the restaurant in your language, so you need to search through the menu and find out what you need.
You start browsing and find the perfect option for you, but since you don’t have the menu in your native language, you cannot tell if the food you are looking at is authentic, and you don’t know if it is safe to try. What would you do then? This is where AR comes in: Using AR, you can see the place with the restaurant’s menu and a translation option and make sure you will get the right food.

Augmented reality, however, is not limited to restaurants or food; AR can also be used for a lot of other types of activities: shopping, finding new places or attractions, etc.
AR can be accessed through an app or a headset/glasses.
The currently available headsets have a lot of problems: The devices are too heavy to wear for long periods; they are uncomfortable; they cover part of the eyes, etc.
The app, however, allows you to access AR through your smartphone. You can look through the screen of the smartphone, but the app uses the camera and the sensors in the smartphone to allow you to see the surroundings as if you are looking through the smartphone’s screen with augmented reality.
Augmented reality can be used to access a lot of different objects, but the most critical use cases are:
Shopping
When a user is in a store and wants to know about products or see the prices, they can use AR to access the product.
Finding new places
Users can use AR to access the places listed in the app, where they can check out the menu and prices.
Getting directions
Users can use AR to get directions from their current location to their desired location. Using AR, users can access a restaurant menu and the prices, but there are a lot of applications available, so you can create your application to use AR.
Augmented Reality applications can be downloaded from different platforms, such as Google play, the app store, etc. There are different options to download an AR application. One of them is to go to the official website of the AR application and download the application.
Alternatively, you can download the app from your app store or from the Google play store.
You need to know your smartphone to get the app, and you can install the app using the QR code option.
You need to download the application to use augmented reality on a mobile device.
You can access the app using a smartphone that has the same operating system as the AR application. You can also use the Android emulator to test the AR application, but the emulator does not give you the same experience as a mobile device.
The AR applications are available in many categories, such as:
Grocery Store AR applications
These AR applications allow users to navigate and find their favourite foods and products. This app is for people who would like to navigate and find the best grocery deals. Shopping AR applications: Shopping is now easier than before.
Shopping online has become a convenient option for people who don’t have time for going shopping in real life. There are a lot of online shopping websites where you can browse for the best products and prices. Using the application, users can check for various products or the prices for the same products.
Home Shopping AR applications
These applications help you find the best deals and products while you are at home. With these applications, you don’t need to be in a shopping mall. You can shop for clothes and accessories online using these applications.
Fashion AR applications
Using these AR applications, users can preview the dresses and accessories available in the market. Users can even check out the product on their smartphones.
Home Decoration AR applications:
With these applications, you can find the best furniture available in the market. The AR application also allows users to customize their furniture as per their choice and budget. Home Improvement AR applications: With these applications, you can check out the best products available for home improvement. You can even check out the material and colours for various products.
Auto AR applications:
These AR applications help users check out various brands of cars and find out the best prices for them. This article on mobile AR applications provides you with details about the top 10 AR applications available on mobile.
Google ARCore AR:
This application is a part of the Google app and is available for both iOS and Android devices. With this app, you can do AR apps on your smartphone. Google ARCore is available in free and paid versions. While Google ARCore AR is free, you will have to pay $79 to access some features. Google ARCore was released in September 2017. Google ARCore AR application has various features.
Users can find the location of their smartphone on Google AR. Users can take photos and videos with the help of AR. With Google ARCore AR, you can find the closest landmarks and points of interest. With the help of this application, you can easily find the price for the products you are looking for. Google ARCore AR was released on iOS in May 2018.
Samsung SmartThings AR:
This application is a part of the Samsung app. With this application, you can access your smart home devices. You can also control the temperature and light with the help of this application. With the help of this app, you can also check out the home of your friends. This application was launched in April 2018.
Facebook Camera360 AR:
This app is a part of the Facebook app. This app was launched in September 2017. With this app, you can find different categories of products in your vicinity.
Amazon ARKit:
This application is a part of the Amazon app. With this app, you can find the location of your smartphone. You can also take photos, videos and share them with friends. With the help of this app, you can check the price of a product before buying it. Amazon ARKit was launched in September 2017.
Apple ARKit:
This application is a part of the Apple app. With the help of this app, you can use Apple’s ARKit for free. However, you will need to pay $99 to get access to the ARKit Pro.