Google announced at its annual developers conference that users will soon be able to access geospatial augmented reality content directly from their phone maps.
Augmented reality content is nothing new for Maps, though the company admits that it's difficult for creators and developers to deliver AR content to the right audience.
That's why Google is introducing new augmented reality features in Maps that allow users to see cities like never before, while updating the geospatial builder to make it easier to create augmented reality content.
The feature will debut in Singapore and Paris as part of a pilot program scheduled to launch later this year.
Users can access AR content by first searching for a location on a map.
If the website has AR content and the user is nearby, they should tap on the “AR Experience” image and pick up their phone to see what is available.
If someone is exploring a location from a distance, they can enjoy the same augmented reality experience in Street View.
After exploring the AR content, users can post the experience to social media via a URL or QR code.
In Singapore, users can explore famous landmarks such as Singapore Chinatown and Gardens by Bay, try local cuisine, and watch festive dragon dance performances.
In Paris, users can view scenes from the National Pavilion at the 1900 Universal Exposition on the banks of the Seine River and see various modifications of the famous Eiffel Tower.
Google explains that you can use images from Street View or Maps to pull geospatial data from your phone, which means you can benefit from it whether you're visiting the location in person or exploring remotely.
According to Google, these augmented reality features form the basis of the extended reality platform that the company is developing for the Android ecosystem in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm.