augmented reality apps and games

Hope you might have watched the new products announcements from Google I/O event recently. It’s very clear that tech giant’s like Apple, Google and Samsung are put their brightest minds on VR and AR production ready to change the world. At present, there are more than 10 VR headsets (Huawei, Fove, etc.) are ready for sale on Amazon now. If you didn’t know this information already, then probably you would never be used an Augmented reality (AR) apps and games. So, without wasting your time, here is a list of some of the best Augmented Reality apps and games that you should try now.

Best Augmented Reality Apps and Games 

5 Best Augmented Reality Apps

1. Layar

The name may sound a little confusing. However, this app’s name is indeed a portmanteau of words layer and AR. So it becomes Layar. This is in fact what Layar does exactly. It adds the digital layers of the content right over the real world. This is how it becomes the augmented reality app. This app comes with some features. It can help you enhance any printed material that it comes across. It can also help you fetch the information specific to your location.

If there is any page or package with the digital content, you can scan it with the help of this app and then bring it up. But that is not it! The app can easily scan the QR codes for you. Also, it comes with the capability to playback AV. You can choose the Geo feature of the app, and you will get the information about the places hear you. For instance, you can get the information about restaurants, coffee shops and more.

Connecting to your social media accounts with this app is incredibly easy. Therefore, you can easily share whatever you have found on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ other social media platforms. Layar is free, and it can be safely said that it is one of the best free augmented reality apps around. In fact, if you are new to AR then it will be a great start for you. It is available to the Android and iOS users.

Check out this: VR Headsets Comparisons 

2. Star Walk 

There was a time when travelers would look up into the sky and search the constellations to find their way. Today, we don’t need to do this anymore as we have the advanced navigation systems integrated with GPS. However, there are still some people who are totally fascinated with stars. They can spend hours staring at the stars. Some people are extremely fond of constellations and love to find the shapes in the sky. For such people, Star Walk could be one of the best augmented reality apps in the store.

If you have ever gazed into the sky and wished you could know more about them, Star Walk app is going to be the perfect choice for you. You can use this app on your smartphone or tablet with a camera. You simply need to point the camera of your device at the sky. The app will instantly identify your location and will provide you all the information you need to know about the stars within the camera’s field of view.

If there is specific constellation you are trying to locate, then you can find it pretty quickly with the help of this app. When you are truly amazed, you would perhaps want to share your discovery with the world. You can do that easily as the app comes integrated with social media features. Star Walk works on all the platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, and Kindle Fire. The app is available for $2.49.

3. Wikitude 

If you have ever used Wikitude augmented reality app, you would certainly know that this app is about having access to all the major websites from a single platform. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Trip Advisor, Yelp, or any other such useful website, this app makes all of them available at one place.

The great thing about this application is that it is based on location. All you need to do is hold up the camera of your phone, and you will have all the information at your disposal. Geo-tagged posts and tweets, reviews, and a plethora of useful information within your proximity will be available to you.

This app is for just about everyone. However, the Wanderers and backpack travelers enjoy immense benefits of this app as it can give the spontaneous information pretty easily. If you are hungry and need to have a quick bite at a coffee shop, you can find this information on this app. If you are traveling further and want to know the best hotels 100 miles ahead, you can get this information as well. What’s wonderful is that this incredible app is free of cost. It is available on the iOS and Android platforms.

4. MyBrana 3D 

Finally, there is something for those who are into art and want to show their creative skills. This app is specially designed for the people who have a keen interest in filmmaking or are thinking about becoming animators. Whether you are a professional or an amateur, if you are a media artist then you are going to love this incredible app.  So, how does this app work? It is pretty simple. Now you can add a taste of twist to your short videos by adding the dash of animation. These animations are called Branas.

No matter what you are shooting, you can add something interesting to it. For instance, think about a short video of the park where the aliens are walking around. You can also imagine the video of the sky with the dragons flying. The app lets you design your own Branas. However, if you want some cool branas, you can also buy them. The app is a lot of fun that goes along with creativity. The app is available for the Android and iOS users.

5. Quiver 

If you wish to bring the art to life, then quiver is one cool augmented reality app you should go for. However, it is not just the drawings this incredible app is known for. It has many coloring pages you can use to create some fun designs. Most of the coloring pages are free of cost.

One of the best things about these coloring pages is that they are available in 3D. To get the 3D figure, you will first need to color the page. The coloring pages are truly a rage among the children. However, there are some adults as well who love to color some pages. There are many pages meant for adults as well. If coloring is your hobby, this app is perfect for you.

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5 Best Augmented Reality Games

1. Google Ingress

We are talking about augmented reality so how could Google stay behind. This is one incredible gaming app which is even appealing to the serious gamers. This is a mind game and ideal for those who have not been able to get a hold on the full setup of AR and VR games. What’s amazing about this game is that it is very immersive. It is a perfect blend of mystery, science, fiction, and adventure. You can use your phone to design control fields and find portals. If you are someone who loves the role playing games, then this game will be quite a bit of fun for you. It is a free game by the way.

Essential reading: Best VR Headsets For Gamers

2. ARBASKETBALL

If you are planning to have some mindless fun, then this is one of the best augmented reality games for you. This game is a lot of fun indeed. So how does it work? Pretty simple! You just need to draw a point with the marker on the wall or whiteboard and point the camera of the phone at it. The game will give you the virtual reality ball and a hoop. You can start playing instantly. ARFootball is for the football/soccer lovers. Just point the camera towards one of your feet and you will get the football to kick around. The game is free of cost.

3. AR Invaders

Have you ever played games like Asteroids or Space Invaders? Well, AR Invaders is pretty much like them but with one big difference. You will find yourself in the center of the game instead of being out of it. That is what augmented reality does for you. You will see the alien ships flying about, and you will need to bring them down with your gun. The game also features multiplayer options and hence you can play with your friends as well. The game looks and feels alters when you change your location. Priced at $1.99, AR Invaders is a great game for the AR beginners.

4. Toywheel AR Game

If you are someone who loved playing around with the toy wheel or RC car, you are going to enjoy this game a lot. Although the game is for kids, even the adults can enjoy it. The game also allows you to print the targets on any printer. You can use your smartphone to start driving the VR car all over the place in the real environment. This is a great AR car game which is a lot of fun for kids. It is also a good introduction for kids to AR.

5. CamGun 

If you are looking to get into a virtual battle with your friends with lots of guns and ammunition, you must try this AR game. The game allows you to superimpose tons of weapons on the live video and you can play the game with your friends. You cannot compare the game to any Call of Duty Franchise games. However, for $1.39 it is a good start. If you want to have more fun, you can go for HoloLens games.hope this is Best Augmented Reality Apps and games to try!

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