We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Best of iPhone apps: the best applications benefiting from ARKit and augmented reality

From2017, iPhone and iPad are able to take advantage of the technologies ofaugmented realityintegrated by Apple into its mobile operating system. Since iOS 11 therefore, and thanks toARKit, many applications are teeming on the App Store, taking advantage of this technology allowingmerge real world and virtual elements. From measuring and furnishing tools, to fitness, photo or astronomy apps, not forgetting virtual animals, there are now all kinds and for all uses, while games in reality increased they havetheir own file to discover there!

As part ofour series of Sunday app files,here is a selection of augmented reality applications that can be found on the App Store, with, for some of them, more in-depth presentations and tests to be found in the description.

The list is not intended to be exhaustive, but it makes it easy to find some good apps that take advantage of AR. To do this, you must have a device supporting ARKit, i.e. iPhone 6s or newer, 5th generation iPad or newer and all iPad Pros.

We will also be sure to regularly update this list with new apps worth highlighting.

Tools

Apple Measurement

Introduced with iOS 12, this augmented reality measurement app can be useful for carrying out various distance calculations in your home. It also integrates the level, previously hidden in the Compass app. See here to find out more about the Measurement app, with our video test:

AR MeasureKit

To take measurements of any object. Can be useful for troubleshooting or replacing a tape measure.

PLNAR

Easily calculate the dimensions of a room by pointing the iPhone at the edges to take into account.

IKEA Place

The furniture in the catalog can be found in augmented reality at home, to easily test them in a real situation at home.More information here.

Housecraft

Allows you to visualize different objects modeled in 3D, armchairs, plants, coffee tables and others, in your real environment, in your living room for example, or even your bedroom, and thus plan decoration or architectural plans.

Qlone

Allows you to scan any 3D object to find it modeled in your iOS device, all thanks to ARKit.See the details here.

Devices

Transform your HomeKit installation with ARKit. In short, with Devices, by pointing with the iPhone or iPad, in augmented reality, towards a HomeKit accessory, it is possible to activate or deactivate it. Seehow it works in detail here.

But also

  • PCalc – 10,99 €: includes an augmented reality mode that is far from revolutionary, but allows you to display a virtual calculator in your living room
  • 3 in 1 ruler – free: measuring app intended to be a great alternative to the classic wooden ruler
  • magicplan – free: allows you to take measurements with the iPhone camera and make plans, useful for creating diagrams of rooms in your house

Sport and health

Fitness AR

To view in augmented reality a virtual coach showing the exercises to be performed.

RunGo

Augmented reality allows the app to indicate the route with arrows superimposed on reality.

Science & education

Plane Finder 3D

To follow flights in augmented reality in your living room by displaying the 3D view of the planes flying over the virtual geographic terrain at the same time.Our presentation of the app here.

Complete Anatomy 2020

To see parts of the human body with all its details in augmented reality.

Atlas of Human Anatomy 2021

Aimed at professionals, the app is extremely complete and even allows you to display slices and sections of human organs in augmented reality.

Night Sky

Premium mode provides access to a visualization of the solar system in augmented reality. It is possible to zoom in on planets and see space missions in progress, among other things.

Sky Guide RA

A star observation app known to budding astronomers, which has an augmented reality mode to facilitate the identification of different stars, among other things. Seeour presentation of the app here.

JigSpace

The app displays portions or sections of study objects in 3D to deconstruct their functioning and thus explain and illustrate numerous concepts in different fields: astronomy, mechanics, anatomy, biology, etc.

Entertainment

  • AR Dragon – free: a small, virtual, living dragon follows the user like a real animal companion.

Art and photography

  • Just a Line – gratuit: from Google, here is an app that allows the user to draw in augmented reality in their environment. He can alsoinvite another user on iOS or Androidto join him and thus draw together. Seeour presentation of the app here.
  • Magic Photos AR – free: an original app capable of animating photographs seen on the wall with the iPhone, like the animated newspaper that wizards can read in the Harry Potter universe.
  • SketchAR – gratuit: serves as a drawing aid using augmented reality mode, which displays a model to reproduce on paper.
  • Redbubble – Free: to place and test objects from the catalog in your living room, before purchasing.
  • Holo – free: have fun placing holograms of people and animals wherever you want, in the street, in your kitchen, in the air, etc.

Others

  • Carrot Weather – 5,49 €: weather app which in an augmented reality mode displays a virtual weather station at the desired location, and local weather information.

And you, which augmented reality app have you noticed and appreciated?

To learn more about augmented reality with ARKit,don't miss our recent articles here, including the following:

Other best of iPhone apps made by iPhon.fr

Practical life

News

Sports

The apps tour of France

Culture, games and relaxation

Writing in apps

i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app

By : Keleops AG

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.

Related articles