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With the release of iOS 11 and Apple’s debut of the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Pluse, and iPhone X, I wanted to feature an awesome augmented reality app so we can get a taste of what’s to come. With iOS 11 out, Apple’s ARkit for app developers is available too. Which means we’re going to see more and more apps that utilize the iPhone’s camera to present some kind of graphic, game, or information as a part of the world around us. The most popular example of AR on iPhone to date is, of course, Pokemon GO. But I’ve heard a lot of people wondering if and how AR could be used for more than just gaming. Well, I’ve got an incredible example today. Say hello to AR MeasureKit. Who needs a tape measure when you’ve got an iPhone? I’ll go over more ofwhat it does and why we love it below.
Related: Darkroom: The Must-Have Photo Editing App for iPhoneographers
AR MeasureKit (Free)
What It Does
AR MeasureKit allows you to measure items in the real world using only your iPhone and its camera. The app is free to download and you can use the Ruler tool for free. But there are seven tools total; the rest of which you can buy with a one-time purchase of $2.99. And it’s definitely worth the few bucks. Why?
The other seven tools are as follows:
- Ruler: measure straight lines on any surface, such as a desk or wall.
- Trajectory: measure by “drawing” (moving your device) in the real world.
- Marker Pin: measure distance from device camera to fixed points in space.
- Angles: measure corners.
- Person Height: measure how tall someone is.
- Cube: visualize how big something is.
- Level: check if something is horizontal or vertical
This app really shows the incredible potential of Apple’s ARkit and what can be done with Augmented Reality on iPhone in general.
Why We Love It
Not only can you create multiple lines or angles in one frame, you can also take a snapshot of any measurements you make. That way, you have the measurements saved and don’t need to remeasure in the future.
When you’re taking a measurement with the Ruler tool, all you need to do is tap the screen to mark your starting place, move your iPhone toward the ending point, and tap the screen again once you’re there. The line will stay in place and will be labeled with its length.
While this technology probably isn’t for master carpenters who need perfection down to the millimeter, it’s the perfect app for the everyday person. It's ideal for everything from hanging pictures on the walls and putting furniture together to recording your kid’s height and seeing a visual representation of how much space that couch you want to buy will take up.
It’s really amazing to see this technology gaining momentum. The applications of AR on iPhone are going to spawn some of the most incredible apps we’ve ever seen. This is just the beginning, and it’s an awesome start. I highly recommend at least trying out the free version of AR MeasureKit just to get a feel for some of the possibilities that AR on iPhone permits.
*It's good to note that for this app to work, your iPhone or iPad must be running iOS 11.
