Google announces a new batch of WebXR experiences
Google announced a series of new WebXR experiences for augmented and virtual reality via web browsers that can do things like measure area, drill across the ground, and visualize social distancing guidelines.
Virtual and augmented reality have always had the ability to make life more enjoyable and productive, but most apps focus on the fun side, which makes most people assume that the technologies are mostly just for entertainment.
Google's latest WebXR test for smartphones tries to demonstrate how it can also be educational, as this set of experiments is designed to showcase what this technology can do.
Google said: Augmented and virtual reality unlock the possibilities of how we interact with the world and information around us, and WebXR combines augmented and virtual reality across the web to make it more convenient and facilitate access to it on a large scale.
In its blog post, Google highlights four experiments: Floom, Measure Up, Sodar and Picturescape.
Google said: The Pictures cape experience is coming soon, and it allows Google Photos users to explore memories in augmented reality.
According to the search giant, the Floom Experience is a fun new way to explore the planet, created with WebXR and Google Maps.
You can open the Chrome browser and go across the earth to see what is on the other side, whether it is the ocean or a landmass.
While the Measure Up experience allows users to easily calculate the length, area, and volume of everyday objects.
And you can put pins on the edges of things and get height and depth without a tape measure.
Sodar is a social distancing radar, and the experience shines a light on two meters around you as you move, so you can always keep your distance from those around you.
You can try Floom, Measure Up, and Sodar by visiting the WebXR Experiences page from Google on your Android phone, knowing that you need a phone that supports ARCore.