Is Cloud-Hosted, Augmented Reality a Good Idea?
Augmented Reality (AR) is part of the proof of how technology has evolved to its current state..
We initially experienced the beauty of AR through our headsets and games. However, it has since spilled over to other industries such as manufacturing and healthcare. Augmented Reality is something that shouldn’t be confused with Virtual Reality (VR). AR is a real-world interactive experience, set up in a simulated environment. The computer- generated environment is enhanced with real-world like objects through the use of sensory modalities that include auditory, haptic, and visual, to name a few.
The value of Augmented Reality lies in its blending of the human 'real-world perception' with the virtual world via immersive sensation, combining the two experiences into one. To clarify the misconception of equaling VR to AR, one has to understand that the VR system is concerned with replacing a human’s actual environment with simulation whereas AR focuses on altering an ongoing perception of the environment.
With that clarified, it becomes vital to also understand how we can implement this jaw-dropping technology to enhance productivity in a variety of projects. With AR connected to 2 major explanatory terms; mixed reality as well as computer-mediated reality, its techniques are performed and experienced in real-time. Unlike VR, AR modifies the human’s perspective of the real- world and adds weight to how they interact with it.
Differentiating Augmented Reality from Virtual Reality
For a long time, Virtual Reality has been at the forefront of technology and aesthetics in film and other pictographic projects. VR technology has allowed us to enjoy the best of fiction whilst achieving the goal of making the end product look real. Thus, most people get confused when they come across AR as they don’t really understand how another technology can do better than VR. With AR, one can easily add digital elements into a real-life environment. Using AR, a video presenter can be edited to be in different places at different times, without even leaving the studio.
Using AR, individuals can interact with new virtual platforms. Instead of being confined to one area, you can be transformed, your world changed, in a matter of seconds. AR is already available on a lot of platforms and can be found in many of our most popular apps today, such as:
- Pokemon Go
- Snapchat
- The NFL app
Mobile Augmented Reality Based on Cloud Computing
Before implementing AR technology into your business, you first need to understand how to properly harness its power. Due to the infancy of AR however, there are several hurdles that need to be overcome. For instance, if you are to implement AR on your mobile app project, you will need to plan for a large amount of processing power. This translates to a highly demanding project requiring huge amounts of bandwidth as well as top-notch visual functions. Now, is this a bad thing? Not at all. On the contrary, it’s what we should all be enjoying. Most of the modern smartphones & tablets on the market today have enough power, software, and sensors to profoundly handle AR projects. These products typically have two forms of reality-tracking, which are:
- Markerless Tracking—this form simulates the way a human mind functions. It implements a system that utilizes patterns as well as object recognition technology in order to identify what your camera is screening.
- Algorithmic Facial Tracking—still being polished, this technology is a game-changer in the sense that it is focused on tracing facial expressions through a deep-sensing camera to help understand one’s mood.
Should I Host an Augmented Reality Project in A Cloud?
We always ask these questions when we are about to embark on something that is likely to change our traditional pattern. Hosting an Augmented Reality project in a cloud is a great idea in the sense that it will help your business stay ahead of time compared to its competitors, in regard to mobile content, marketing, branding, as well as presentation of websites. With the power to store huge amounts of data as well as powerfully process content, cloud AR presents a great number of advantages.
Cloud computing is the next-gen technology that has already started to change the structure of businesses online. Cloud computing combined with AR is a perfect match, as cloud computing makes the most of what is needed by AR. The reason why cloud computing hasn’t been much of a hit is due to its flip side that fails to connect users in a more convenient manner. However, by combining it with AR, the drawback of only having to access cloud-based computing through secured channels is removed from the equation. Thus, if you really want to enjoy the power of cloud-based computing, merging it with AR will give you the best experience.
Best Cloud to Store an Augmented Reality Project
Because of its ability to interact more directly with users, AR comes as a step up from VR. AR is for anyone looking to upscale their content and be interactive in a thought-provoking manner- It’s the new-age smart technology. With AR, gadgets are now able to better connect with each other as well and as a result, customers can have more options. So then which are the best cloud platforms to store AR projects?
1. Filewhopper
FileWhopper is an excellent file sharing service developed by Auslogics. Their services are some of the leading in the industry as they come with full-time servicing and an app to assist you with the upload process. The nature of an AR project requires careful handling to keep all the specs in the right position. If anything is changed or moved, this might become a problem. Thus, if you’re working on, or have worked on an AR project that is of importance, and your files are really big, share them using FileWhopper. A tiny app assists you with the upload process, making it go faster. Afterwards, you can quickly share the link with the person or persons you need input from. There is no size limit on the files you can send, which is pretty important when working on AR projects, and the service ensures that no data is lost during the transfer. Your files are encrypted with a password too, so you don’t have to worry about data leaks. FileWhopper is impressive because of its ability to process unlimited data- a neccesary benefit to keep up with AR’s real-time speeds.
2. Google Drive
Members of the entertainment field are not getting left behind on this ride. Using AR to improve games and overall presentation, it has become evident that this technology is the present and future. Using Google Drive, technical teams can show the field what to expect and how to expect it. For example, where the military is concerned, developers can run tests using AR to evaluate effectivines of field strategies, without needing to use real bodies. There is no need to go through rigorous physical initiation when imagery and projections can be shared via Google Drive. This cloud platform comes with 15GB of free storage space and can be upgraded with further packages.
3. One Drive
One Drive is pretty similar to Google Drive. Instead of being cloud storage on Chrome, it’s backed by Microsoft. Everyone with a Microsoft account automatically receives 5 GB free storage. At this point, it becomes easier to share AR work-in-progress projects to and from. Just as long as both the sender and recipient have Microsoft accounts, sharing over One Drive will always be possible, even if it means upgrading the storage. Since almost all of the latest smart gadgets come with the software required to project augmented reality to end-users, sharing over One Drive is even easier. Although the cost might deter some people, you at least know that there is always a backup drive for easy file sharing.
4. Dropbox
Dropbox also makes the cut for one of the best cloud platforms to consider when looking to store augmented reality projects. This cloud platform has been around for a long time and always proves easy to use. Although each new user only gets 2GB of free storage, the site usability, friendly interface and most importantly, availability of AR support makes Dropbox a good consideration.
5. The Human Augmented Cloud
First time coming across this term? Well, you’re not the only one. This baby is a result of a collaboration between Lenovo and Wikitude, and it identifies as a cloud-based platform on which augmented reality projects can be developed. Using this cloud, it’s possible to recognize and create content, memorize and recreate deep learning processes and more. You should consider The Augmented Human Cloud if you’re looking for an AR-based (and supported) platform.
So, to answer the question of if cloud hosted augmented reality is a good idea, the answer is yes! Using cloud hosted augmented reality projects is an excellent idea as it will facilitate and improve communications, processes and work flow for not only internal teams, but end users. If you are looking for a seamless work experience, then cloud hosted augmented reality projects are the way to go!
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