Volumetric video can fulfill your dream of having your own personal Jon Hamm.
When it comes to bringing photo realistic people into virtual and augmented reality, 8i has paving the way with their technology. The photogrammetry company is quickly becoming the industry standard in 3D holograms thanks to their proprietary technology, which has been responsible for some pretty cool experiences. Now the New Zealand-based company has officially employed the use of Apple’s powerful ARKit platform to bring a whole new level of realistic digital figures to augmented reality.
Now available via the App Store for iPhone 6S and any later models, Holo with ARKit allows users to place realistic 3D animated holograms of humans and animals in the real world. You can move around them to inspect every angle and even interact. There’s also an ability to record video and snap pictures of you and your virtual companion to share with friends and family.
Of course all that technology wouldn’t mean much without any interesting content to play with. Thankfully, Holo boasts an impressive array of recognizable personalities, objects and animals. Hologram collections from artist Jhené Aiko, World Cup-winning defender Jerome Boateng, Glee star and dancer Harry Shum Jr., dancer Chachi Gonzales and influencer Tristan Tales are available now. The app also features celebrated astronaut Buzz Aldrin, professional skateboarder Nyjah Huston, pop duo Superfruit and mixed martial artist Anderson Silva, with more on the way.
On top of all these famous faces, Holo has also teamed up with major media and entertainment brands such as Viacom Velocity for the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards with a Moon Person collection, Hearst and Cosmopolitan for Magic Mike Live, and Sony Pictures for Spider-Man: Homecoming.
“Since we first introduced Holo in June, people have placed more than three million holograms in nearly every country around the globe, demonstrating an appetite for authentic human content in AR,” said Steve Raymond, CEO of 8i. “The arrival of iOS 11 and ARKit marks the first time millions of people can experience true volumetric video on a mass-market consumer device. With ARKit, Apple has ignited a groundswell of enthusiasm from developers reminiscent of the initial introduction of the iPhone, and our team at 8i is excited to enable easy integration of human holograms into their AR apps.”
Holo with ARKit is available worldwide now for free via the App Store for iPhone 6s and any later models. Holo without the ARKit functionality is available for earlier iPhone models as well.
