Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Google’s ARCore is getting better at tracking moving images

By

Google’s already very impressive ARCore is about to get even more impressive. At Google I/O 2019, the company announced a series of changes to ARCore that should make it a little more stable and helpful when images are moving around and when it comes to how ARCore handles the movement of light.

Perhaps the biggest update to ARCore comes in the form of an update to Augmented Images, which is an API that allows users to point their cameras at 2D images, after which those images will come to life on the screen. Now, the Augmented Images API can track moving images — not just stationary ones — which could help make for much more immersive and realistic experiences.

Recommended Videos

At Google I/O 2018, Google added light estimation to ARCore, and now it’s giving that concept an update. The goal here is to make AR a little more realistic — and as such Google has added “Environmental HDR” to the Light Estimation API. With Environmental HDR, ARCore can use machine learning to estimate where the light is coming from in an image — and with that information can create more realistic digital changes to a scene by adding accurate shadows, highlights, and reflections.

Last but not least is the addition of Scene Viewer, which is essentially a way for users to jump into using Augmented Reality straight from a website — and without having to download a separate app. This will be particularly helpful as part of Google Search — soon, you might be able to see how a couch looks in your living room, for example, without leaving Google Search. Augmented reality search results will start showing up in Google Search later this year, though it will likely be a while before the function is widely supported.

Related

Google is likely to continue working on ARCore over the next few years, as augmented reality in general is tipped to become increasingly important. Eventually, it’s possible that the AR tech that Google is working on now will play a role in potential AR glasses or other augmented reality products — though it will likely be some time before products like that are ready for consumer release.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Christian de Looper
Christian de Looper
Contributor
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Google just launched a new Pixel Tablet … kind of
The Google Pixel Tablet sitting outside with its screen on.

With the excitement of the Google Pixel 8a launch, it might have passed a little unnoticed that Google also launched a new Pixel Tablet — though not exactly. For one thing, the “new” Pixel Tablet is the exact same device as the “old” Pixel Tablet. We mean that literally: same specs, same look, same screen. The only difference with the newly launched Pixel Tablet is that it’ll be sold without its charging/speaker dock, unlike the previous model, which included it.

At $399, the new Pixel Tablet is $100 cheaper than the earlier model, but that’s to be expected — both because it doesn’t come with any hardware refresh and also because it cuts the dock. It's also worth noting that it will not be launched with any new first-party accessories like a keyboard or stylus, which were previously rumored for the tablet.

Read more
The Google Pixel 8a price just leaked. Here’s how much it’ll cost
A photo of someone holding the mint Google Pixel 8a.

And so concludes the saga of Google Pixel 8a leaks, merely days ahead of its expected unveiling at the I/O developers conference. Earlier today, insider @OnLeaks (in collaboration with Smartprix) shared more marketing renders of the upcoming budget phone, complete with its asking price in tow.

It seems Google is going to charge $499 for its next phone, at least the 128GB base storage variant, that is. For the 256GB storage variant, buyers will have to shell out $599. That’s the same asking price as the Google Pixel 7a, which arrived last year and won plaudits for its terrific mix of raw firepower, camera prowess, and feature-loaded Pixel software experience.

Read more
A new Google Pixel Tablet is coming, but it’s not what you think
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

It's been almost a year since the Google Pixel Tablet went up for preorder, leading many Android tablet fans to wonder when the inevitable Pixel Tablet 2 will arrive. A new rumor suggests that Google could release a new Pixel Tablet as early as next month, but it's probably not what you were expecting or hoping for.

According to @MysteryLupin on X (formerly Twitter), Google is planning to "relaunch" the Pixel Tablet without the charging/speaker dock included in the box. As you'll likely recall, the speaker dock is the Pixel Tablet's standout feature. You can use the Pixel Tablet on its own as a traditional Android tablet when you want, and when you're done, you throw it on the dock to transform it into a smart display. The idea of Google selling the Pixel Tablet without its claim to fame is an interesting one.

Read more