What are the best ways to make AR and VR applications portable?

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are immersive technologies that can enrich our experiences and interactions with the world. However, they also pose some challenges when it comes to portability, as they often require specialized hardware, software, and environments to run smoothly. In this article, we will explore some of the best ways to make AR and VR applications portable, so you can enjoy them anywhere and anytime.

1 Use web-based platforms

One of the easiest ways to make AR and VR applications portable is to use web-based platforms that can run on any device with a browser and a camera. For example, you can use WebXR, a set of APIs that enable immersive web experiences across different devices and platforms. WebXR can support both AR and VR modes, as well as mixed reality (MR), which combines elements of both. WebXR also allows you to access device features, such as sensors, controllers, and haptics, to create interactive and engaging web applications.

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Paul Maingot

Innovation and Spatial Computing | AR/XR/AI | Former IKEA Place Product Owner, SPACE10, RGA, AMD, Adobe
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Use WebXR, it's a great way to lower the barriers to enter and jump right into the AR experience. The framework is constantly changing and improving, allowing it to support better features and functions.

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2 Optimize your content

Another way to make AR and VR applications portable is to optimize your content for different devices and networks. For example, you can use techniques such as compression, caching, streaming, and adaptive rendering to reduce the size and bandwidth of your content, and improve the performance and quality of your application. You can also use tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine to create cross-platform content that can run on various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, headsets, or glasses.

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Paul Maingot

Innovation and Spatial Computing | AR/XR/AI | Former IKEA Place Product Owner, SPACE10, RGA, AMD, Adobe
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The 3D pipeline is very important to make sure that you are supporting the different devices. It's always a good idea to consider the 3D strategy once you have reached a point where your product needs scale or further reach.

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3 Leverage cloud services

A third way to make AR and VR applications portable is to leverage cloud services that can provide scalable and reliable computing and storage resources. For example, you can use cloud computing to offload some of the heavy processing tasks from your device to the cloud, and reduce the battery consumption and heat generation of your device. You can also use cloud storage to store and access your content from anywhere, and synchronize your data across devices. Cloud services can also enable collaborative and social AR and VR experiences, by allowing multiple users to share and interact with the same content in real time.

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4 Embrace standards and best practices

A fourth way to make AR and VR applications portable is to embrace standards and best practices that can ensure compatibility and interoperability across devices and platforms. For example, you can use open standards and formats, such as glTF or USDZ, to create and exchange 3D models and scenes for AR and VR applications. You can also follow the best practices and guidelines from organizations such as the WebXR Device API Community Group or the Khronos Group, which aim to promote the development and adoption of immersive web technologies.

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5 Test and iterate

A fifth way to make AR and VR applications portable is to test and iterate your application on different devices and environments, and gather feedback from your users. Testing and iterating can help you identify and fix any issues or bugs that may affect the functionality or usability of your application. It can also help you improve the design and user experience of your application, by taking into account the different preferences, needs, and expectations of your users. Testing and iterating can also help you discover new opportunities and possibilities for your application, by exploring the potential of AR and VR technologies.

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6 Learn and innovate

A sixth way to make AR and VR applications portable is to learn and innovate, by staying updated on the latest trends and developments in the field of immersive technologies. Learning and innovating can help you enhance your skills and knowledge, and find new ways to create and deliver AR and VR applications that can meet the demands and challenges of the market. Learning and innovating can also help you inspire and influence others, by sharing your insights and experiences, and contributing to the growth and evolution of the AR and VR community.

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Paul Maingot

Innovation and Spatial Computing | AR/XR/AI | Former IKEA Place Product Owner, SPACE10, RGA, AMD, Adobe
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If you have an existing product in the market or experience, it's also a good idea to see if you can use that as a way to test out new features and put things in people's hands so they can properly try and feedback. This is as valuable as AR Gold :-)

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Abdul Shareef Pallivalappil

C|CISO | Senior Consultant - Digital Forensics & Incident Response | Ex- Abu Dhabi Police | ECIHv2 | CHFI | CCNA | MCSE | MCSA | MCP | EC-Council Honor Board | DFIR Faculty | PhD Scholar
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To make AR and VR more accessible and portable, developers can leverage cloud computing resources. Instead of relying on the user's local hardware to render 3D environments, the rendering tasks are performed on remote cloud servers. These servers are equipped with powerful GPUs and CPUs designed to handle such intensive tasks. Users can access the application through lightweight devices.

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What are the best ways to make AR and VR applications portable?

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3

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1 Use web-based platforms

2 Optimize your content

3 Leverage cloud services

4 Embrace standards and best practices

5 Test and iterate

6 Learn and innovate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Virtual Reality

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What are the best ways to make AR and VR applications portable?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Use web-based platforms

2 Optimize your content

3 Leverage cloud services

4 Embrace standards and best practices

5 Test and iterate

6 Learn and innovate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Virtual Reality

Rate this article

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