Have you ever fancied coming face to face with lions, tigers and bears? (oh my!) Thanks to the new augmented reality (AR) model available from Google, we’ve been having fun bringing the animal kingdom into the Ecrubox office.

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In their plight to drive higher engagement amongst users, Google have started rolling out their recently announced 3D image and AR features. Whilst we spend our time playing around with the new model, putting animals (and colleagues!) in compromising situations, Google are busy working on developing the technology, to allow the functionality to be adopted by companies to help showcase their brand and product offering.

For example, you’ll soon be able to see if that pair of shoes you’ve been lusting after for months and months really does go with your outfit, before you commit to buy. This is already being tested by a selection of handpicked partner brands, including New Balance, Target, Volvo, and Wayfair

During Google’s annual I/O developer conference it was also announced to attendees and live streamers, that these brand new AR capabilities will also be used in Google Maps to help users find their way around even more easily.

With these developments in mind, monetising the AR model could transform the way that companies build their digital marketing strategies. This will give Google the opportunity to drive up revenue from advertisers, with global AR ad revenues predicted to exceed $2 billion by 2022, according to ARtillry.

Fancy a go?

We’re guessing that you’re chomping at the bit to have a go for yourself, so here’s how you can find the functionality…

From your device, (which needs to be running iOS 11 or above, or Android 7.0 and above) search the animal of your choosing and you’ll be met with a new option saying ‘Meet a life sized *animal of your choosing*”.

Inside the knowledge panel at the top of the results page, you’ll spot a button that says “View in 3D”, once you’ve chosen that option, select “View in your own space”.

The browser will then activate your camera and ask you to point your device at the floor, after that your animal friend will come to life.

We’d love to see what other animals you can find, and the funny photos you can capture! Don’t forget to share your AR experience photos with us on social media, you can find us on FacebookInstagramTwitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to see what you get up to!


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