Google sets sites on Chinese app market with AR rollout 

If you needed any more convincing that augmented reality (AR) is set to play a huge role in how apps of the future are developed and used, Google is stepping up its efforts to make its AR technology accessible in China.

Due to issues around censorship, the presence of Google’s ARCore technology in China has been relatively limited. But now the search engine giant has signed a deal with Xiaomi, a leading Chinese electronics company, to ensure its groundbreaking technology is more readily available in the country. It follows two other household names, Samsung and Huawei, already agreeing to distribute ARCore apps in China and more Google partnerships are expected to be forged and announced in coming months.

While the majority of Google’s core services are blocked in China, apps that are developed with ARCore navigate around this as the tech works from the device it was downloaded on without a connection to the Cloud. The latest deal struck between Google and Xiaomi gives the internet giant a distribution channel to connect with consumers. For businesses that have used the ARCore software development kit, it opens up another route to growing the number of users.

What is ARCore?

ARCore is Google’s platform for building augmented reality apps and experiences. It works by integrating virtual content with the real world through a smartphone’s camera. Its capabilities are based on three core technologies; motion tracking, understanding the environment it views, and light estimation. The combination of these three technologies allows for effective AR apps to built that suit a variety of purposes, business needs, and entertainment options.

Why use AR?

AR is already being used in an incredible number of ways, for apps that target both the business and consumer sectors. According to Statista data, at the end of 2016 the AR market was worth just $5.2 billion but by the end of this decade it’s set to be worth a staggering $162 billion. Even in the technology sector, where the latest developments raise fast, the growth of augmented reality is impressive and indicates that it’s a must for businesses that want to ensure they’re thinking of the future when it comes to the way they connect with customers.

As with standard apps, AR apps offer a huge amount of choice and the freedom to get creative, allowing you to develop an app that will appeal, add value, and keep customers coming back for more.