As announced at the Google I/O earlier this week, ARcore 1.2 is now available that brings Cloud Anchors, ‘Vertical Plane Detection’ and more. You can get the ARCore 1.2 Android APK here and side-load it manually.
Google debuted ARCore 1.0 at the MWC event back in February, and at the I/O event, it announced major updates to the platform. This update will help developers build more collaborative and immersive augmented reality apps.
Google is introducing a new capability to AR called Cloud Anchors that will enable new types of collaborative AR experiences, like redecorating your home, playing games and painting a community mural together with your friends. You’ll be able to do this on Android and iOS.
With this new update, ARCore now features ‘Vertical Plane Detection’ meaning now you can place AR objects on more surfaces, like textured walls. This will open up to new possibilities like viewing artwork above your mantlepiece before buying it. Thanks to Augmented Images, you can bring images back to life just by pointing your phone at them. Google is bringing new Sceneform platform so that Java developers can now build immersive, 3D apps without having to learn complicated APIs like OpenGL. Developers can start building ARCore app with these new capabilities today.