Google has released software for app developers to bring augmented reality to all Android phones. The ARCore software development kit (SDK) builds on the company's Tango platform and makes AR also accessible for existing devices, without hardware modifications.
ARCore works initially with the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphones running Android 7.0. Google said it aims to reach 100 million devices with the preview of the software and is also working with manufacturers such as Huawei, LG and Asus.
ARCore works with the phone's camera and sensors to determine the phone's position as it moves and place virtual objects around the user. It can also detect horizontal surfaces using the same feature points it uses for motion tracking and observe ambient light in the environment in order to light virtual objects and make the appear more real.
To help developers, Google is releasing prototype browsers for experimenting with AR. These custom browsers allow developers to create AR-enhanced websites and run them on both ARCore and Apple's AR platform unveiled in June, ARKit.
