As augmented reality plays an increasingly bigger part in our lives, we have to become familiar with its specific language. AR terms are no longer restricted to specialized publications. You will find them in consumer electronics magazines, on game forums, and in specifications for AR glasses.
For this reason, we believe that it is our duty to help our readers understand these AR terms. After all, we use them on a daily basis in our articles. Therefore, we put together the most frequently used acronyms and specialized terms and strove to give simple and easy to understand explanations.
AR Terms
AR Advertising
The use of augmented reality in advertising allows consumers to interact with brands in a more immersive and exciting manner. 3D objects and animations help maintain customer loyalty and make interactions with ads more engaging and meaningful.
ARKit and ARCore
These AR terms define the two software development kits (SDK) launched by Apple and Android to help developers create native AR apps for the most popular mobile operating systems.
Augmented Reality Face Effects
These are the well-known filters you can apply in Snapchat and on other social media platforms, to turn your face into a dog, an alien or anything else available in the filters list.
Augmented Reality Measuring
Using a virtual measuring tape, consumers can take real-time, accurate measurements of various areas in their home. This is one of the AR terms you will find in shopping apps, especially for furniture and home improvement products.
AR Overlay
When a 3D holographic object appears in the same field of view as the image of the real world, it means that it is overlaid. Thus, the user will perceive the 3D object as being integrated into the real-life environment.
Augmented Reality Shopping Experience
Using AR, brands can offer customers the “try before you buy” experience on their phones or computers. Consumers can virtually try on a product before placing it in the shopping cart.
AR Software Development Kit (AR SDK)
Among other AR terms, this is most frequently used by developers. An SDK is a set of tools which allows developers to create AR apps for a specific platform. Examples of AR SDKs include ARCore for Android AR apps, and ARKit for iOS AR apps.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
This is one of the technical AR terms. It means using specialized software to create a digital representation of objects. They become 3D models, used in AR experiences and being superimposed onto the real world image.
Computer Vision
This is the technology that allows machines to scan real-life objects and understand what they are. It is one of the basic concepts used in creating augmented reality experiences.
Extended Tracking
Another of the technical AR terms on this list, it means that the virtual augmentations remain attached to a real-life object in the user’s field of view, even if the initial target is out of the frame.
Field of View
An area that a user can see either through AR glasses or through the mobile phone camera on the screen.
Gamification
One of the AR terms used more frequently in marketing and advertising, gamification means creating experiences that resemble games. From a product catalog to an in-store ad, consumers are encouraged to perform tasks and win various rewards.
Geo AR
In contrast to marker-based AR, geo AR allows developers to create location-based augmented reality experiences. The users do not need a physical trigger to launch this experience.
Holograms
One of the first AR terms to enter everyday use, a hologram represents a digital three-dimensional image which is created by light projected onto a transparent display. Holograms can be either static or interactive.
Social AR
This term defines the use of augmented reality in social media platforms to encourage creative interactions. Its most popular form is face filters and other visual effects applicable to live videos and static images.
SLAM
The acronym stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping. It is a technology used to interpret the real-life environment in order to place 3D objects in it in a seamless manner.
WebAR (App-less AR, web-based AR)
This technology allows users to experience augmented reality without a dedicated application. The AR experience is available directly through the internet browser they are currently using.
