ChatGPT thinks augmented reality will change the world.
I also think it could be pretty important. Why else would Apple create $3500 AR glasses?
But right now, AR tech kinda sucks. Half of my CS major friends have no idea what it is.
That inspired me—here are the best augmented reality apps I could find:
JigSpace
What people think: 4.8/5 stars from 8,300 ratings
In high school, I used to make presentations on Google Slides. I put all of my effort into making the coolest presentations I could possibly make—I used fancy animations, downloaded thousands of GIFs, and spent hours researching Google Slides hacks.
JigSpace is 10 times better than anything I ever made. It helps idiots like me create incredible presentations with augmented reality.
Here's some of the cool things you can do:
Show custom 3D models and concepts
Add animations, effects, text, and more
Add text/audio instructions
Download pre-made objects from a free library
Share by link, QR code, and even website embeds
Overall, insanely cool.
GeoGebra
What people think: 4.3/5 stars from 261 ratings
GeoGebra is a graphing calculator/math equation solver/tool calc students' lives depend on.
GeoGebra has a 3D graphing version as well—using your iPad, you can use GeoGebra to graph 3D things in your own space.
Just look how cool this looks:
Back when I took multivariable calculus, this would've been pretty useful (visualizing weird equations in my head never worked for me).
Houzz
What people think: 4.8/5 stars from 274,000 ratings
Houzz is an app for designing and remodeling homes. Already a pretty cool app.
Here's what takes it even further though: you can test out cool furniture in your own house using AR.
Think you need a couch somewhere? You can see actually see what it'll look like through augmented reality.
Planner 5D
What people think: 4.3/5 stars from 8,900 ratings
Planner 5D is kinda like Houzz. It gives you a way to test out cool design ideas in your own home using AR:
The app gives you design inspo ideas, lets you create custom 2D and 3D layouts, and even creates blueprints from a simple room scan.
Polycam 3D Scanner
What people think: 4.7/5 stars from 29,000 ratings
Polycam is a sick app.
Using AR, you can generate 3D models based on photos you take.
This has a bunch of cool applications:
You can capture rooms/furniture
You can take 3D photos of cool things, like trees
You can take 360 degree images
You can create floor plans and blueprints
You can create insanely cool videos
On top of all these benefits, Polycam has a ton of export options. I would list them, but I've never heard of any of them before (what's a USDZ file?).
Reality Composer
What people think: 4.3/5 stars from 201 ratings
Reality Composer is an Apple-built app.
It lets you build cool 3D models. Look at this tiny town:
SketchAR
What people think: 4.2/5 stars from 7,000 ratings
Sketchar lets you learn how to draw using AR.
It works by scanning a surface and projecting a picture of art. Then, you trace the artwork by looking through your iPad.
If you suck at art (like me), it could be pretty cool.
Night Sky
What people think: 4.7/5 stars from 399,000 ratings
The App Store description sums it up perfectly: "Night Sky is a powerful AR personal planetarium"
It helps you identify cool space stuff straight from your iPad. As a kid, I would've loved this app.
Leo AR Camera
What people think: 4.5/5 stars from 2,800 ratings
This is another app I would've loved as a kid.
It basically helps you create awesome videos with 3D objects—You can add cool graphics, text, music, stickers, and more.
Concepts
Concepts isn't an AR app.
Instead, it's a cool brainstorming app I use to generate posts like this one.
Concepts is a cool "unlimited canvas" note-taking app I've used for years (check my post history if you don't believe me). I use it to come up with ideas for literally everything.
Concepts has been kind enough to offer a free 30-day trial for their premium plan (don't worry—they have an awesome free plan too). And no, you don't have to enter your credit card info.
Final Thoughts
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"—Arthur Clarke
Thanks for reading!
Adi