What Will Augmented Reality (AR) Technology Bring to this Real World?
Things getting blurrier between reality and the virtual world right now, isn’t it?
Now peeps, who hasn’t heard of a game called Pokémon Go? A game that forces the players to walk outside for finding and catching funny monsters scattered throughout the city.
Pokemon go is an example of AR integration in the gaming world. But actually, the development of AR can be increasingly felt in several aspects of urban life today. When traveling, for example, you might have noticed “Live View” in Google Maps starts guiding you with AR signs and explanations in real-time.
Yet we have AR integrated automatic translator, through photo technology on google translate. Where the user only needs to point the smartphone’s camera at the local language writing and voilà! The meaning of the writing will instantly appear on the smartphone screen.
That said, you can travel safely and comfortably. Thanks to the AR technology.
AR Technology on Social Media
Instagram recently has been integrated with AR technology in several forms. And guess what, consciously or not, you must have used it. Funny games that you need to wink eyes to fly a bird passing obstacles? Holding an egg on spoons with your mouth closed? Those are just the beginning.
In the story feature on Instagram, you can take selfies with various frames or so-called filters. Where your face has not changed at all in the real world but looks different on the mobile screen. A cute dog filter pose? That’s not all!
Thanks to Spark AR from Facebook, now everyone can develop their own filters as he or she likes. Spark AR creates new types of AR experiences. Target tracking, which allows AR effects to be tethered to specific images or objects in the original word. Also Native Slider, a new optional controller that can be summoned directly on the Instagram application. Spark AR Studio has proven to be a big hit with designers who use this program to build creative and fun filters for Instagram Stories.
But is entertaining the only purpose of AR integration on Social Media?
Certainly not.
With this AR Interactive feature, brands can activate more functions on their online business.
Apparel or cosmetics brands can function the front camera of the smartphone as a mirror, allowing consumers to try out products that are sold virtually to see whether the color, style is suitable or not, and even have a closer look at the product itself just on your mobile devices. The best part is: you’re still relaxing on your sofa.
As for bigger items like furniture, AR helps you place a virtual cabinet, a side-desk or any possible items that might appear in your house. You just need to walk around your house and try if it fits a corner you’ve never paid attention to before, and, of course, you don’t have to pay a certain amount and carry huge and heavy stuff home.
These features have made the way easier for consumers in choosing the best product. This also certainly a solution to the problems of the common obstacles of online shopping where people buy goods in a gambling manner.
Hence, AR Interactive technology function, usefulness, and benefits are unquestionable and would be more than listed above.
Now imagine the impact would be if brands, influencers, and customers could be integrated with each other effectively and interactively with AR technology.
Customers can easily see the exact products on them interactively and have their opinions broadened with insights from influencers’ collaboration. This digital innovation managed to provide aspects that have never been experienced before by consumers, as it can be advanced the consumers’ measurement through an influencer.
An Old Saying goes: Seeing is believing.
They will be greatly helped to make decisions. Because after all, customers will continue to believe in their favorite influencer’s insight. As they already feel connected and have something in common with each other.
As from the business side, interactive filters are also able to track the sales process. AR Technology can see authentic engagement. Where the “like” matrix decreasingly to show how the user is actually engaged with the content presented.
Our Take
All being said, as an alternative toolkit, AR Interactive technology is very handy and accessible. It can also help influencers maximize advertising and social platform capability in a more authentic form of interaction. Last but not least, influencers’ opinions can be expressed more persuasive and convincing based on how they experienced via this technology. Which later on can be related to the brand narrative.
