Apple iOS 11 was released to the public and the new mobile software is packed with full of new features, from redesigned apps to fantastic updates. We have earlier discussed many things about iOS 11 including battery issues, speed test, new updates, etc. Now, it’s time to shift our focus to one of the most exciting new features in iOS 11 – Enhanced augmented reality (AR) feature that is enabled by Apple’s new ARKit software.
Augmented reality is a way to bridge real-world objects and virtual ones, with a little help from your phone’s camera. AR apps help us to pop digital images and content on top of the physical world around us, opening the door to endless exciting possibilities.
With the release of iOS 11, Apple has brought AR to millions of people with the help of ARKit, the company’s SDK that lets developers create augmented reality experiences. And slowly AR-based iOS applications are making their way into the App Store.
ARKit needs A9, A10, and A11 processors to run. These processors are powerful enough to deliver fast scene understanding for providing you an augmented reality experience. If you have an iPad Pro (9.7, 10.5, or 12.9), iPad 2017, Phone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 8/8 Plus, or iPhone X, you can download iOS 11 now and then check out the following AR apps in the Apple App Store.
Free ARKit Apps And Games For iOS 11:
1. Thomas and Friends Minis
Create your very own train set piece by piece and bring it to life with Thomas and all his friends.
Thomas and Friends is a game that lets you design tracks for Thomas, the Tank Engine to run on. The AR version of this game allows you to design tracks in the real world that appear on the floor in front of you. This pretty simple AR game for iOS 11 can be played on any flat surface where you can build, paint (with lava, beaches, and snow), decorate (with trees and buildings), and create your own train set piece-by-piece. You can customize it endlessly and let your imagination run free with dinosaur rails, frozen loops, rainbow bridges, and whirly waterslides.
Download Thomas & Friends Minis (Free)
2. StackAR
Stack AR is a basic game that lets you stack up to the blocks as high as you can. The new AR mode of the game lets you play in Augmented Reality anywhere. Stacking the blocks gives you a score, and you can compete with other players around the world for the best score. Simply open the Stack AR mode, scan a plane surface and start building.
Download StackAR (Free)
3. AR MeasureKit
It is a multipurpose measurement tool that uses ARKit to let you measure the real world around you. With this AR app for iOS 11, you can turn your iPhone and iPad camera into a measuring scale. The primary feature of AR MeasureKit, i.e. Ruler, is free to use – It lets you measure the distance between two points. And you can pay to measure angles, a person’s height, etc. There are many premium features that you can unlock after buying add-ons.
- Ruler — measure straight lines on any surface, such as a desk or wall.
- Marker Pin — measure the distance from device camera to fixed points in space.
- Trajectory — measure by “drawing” (moving your device) in the real world.
- Angles — measure corners.
- Person Height — measure how tall someone is.
- Cube — visualize how big something is.
- Level — check if something is horizontal or vertical
Download AR MeasureKit (Free, paid add-ons)
4. Housecraft
Housecraft is a furniture arrangement app from Sirvo that lets you plan your home with your phone itself. It lets you put life-sized furniture anywhere in your house, to see if they would fit in the rooms there.
The app has a huge catalog of different types of furniture that you can select, resize, and place. The app first will ask you to scan the floor of your room so it can estimate dimensions, and then you can place objects and see if they fit. There is also a “Disaster” feature, in case you feel like destroying a room.
Download Housecraft (Free, paid add-ons)
Similarly, the free ‘IKEA Place’ app also lets you virtually ‘place’ IKEA products in your space.
5. World Brush
World Brush is an AR experience where users can draw 3D shapes and designs, paint with brushes on the world around them.
It lets you paint the environment around you and the coolest part is that whatever you draw stays there forever (or until you delete it). So you could draw something in a public space and others can go and see it on their phone. Every painting is anonymous and is saved at the approximate GPS location where it was created. Users have the ability to like, dislike and even report about paintings.
Download World Brush (Free)
6. Kings of Pool
Kings of Pool is a classic 8 ball pool game that has been given a touch of AR by its developers. iOS 11 users can put the Augmented Reality Table on a flat surface and start playing pool.
Download Kings of Pool (Free, paid add-ons)
7. AR Runner
‘AR Runner’ is a one-of-a-kind competitive augmented reality game. This app makes indoor and outdoor racing challenges possible with players from around the world and includes 3 different game modes. Just watch your step while you try and run through checkpoints and set new records
Download AR Runner (Free)
8. GIPHY World
There is no doubt that GIFs have taken over the internet. To bring those GIFs to real life, GIPHY World app has been made available. This AR app lets you add the animated GIFs around you and share it with your friends who also have the app. The app also lets you record a video of the same and post it anywhere.
Download GIPHY World (Free)
9. Magicplan
This app lets you create professional floor plans simply by taking pictures. Use Magicplan to generate complete job estimates, view your space in 3D, plan DIY projects, or furnish your home. Create floor plans in minutes and edit them with ease. Add objects, photos, annotations, product price lists, tasks, and taxes in a single tap.
Download Magicplan (Free)
