Google announced at its annual conference Google I/O 2024 that users will soon be able to access geospatial augmented reality (AR) content directly on Google Maps on their phones. The feature will first launch in Singapore and Paris as part of a pilot program starting later this year.
Users will be able to access AR content by first searching for a location on Google Maps. If a location has AR content and the user is near the location, he or she must tap on the image labeled “AR Experience” and then lift the phone.
If someone is exploring a location remotely, they can see the same AR experience in Street View. After exploring AR content, users can share their experience via deep link URLs or QR codes on social media.
In Singapore, users can explore popular landmarks such as Singapore's Chinatown and Gardens by the Bay, as well as sample local cuisine and watch a ceremonial dragon dance. In Paris, users can see the sights of his 1900 World's Fair Country pavilion along the Seine and visualize the various modifications of the famous Eiffel Tower.
Google says these AR features will be the foundation of the augmented reality (XR) platform it is building for the Android ecosystem in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm.
