By Tyler R. Morrissey
In the vast digital world the next question on everyone’s minds is what’s the next big thing? Like never before we are thinking about the latest app, the newest smartphone or recent technological advancement. Think back to the first time you held a cellular device and realized that it could do more than place a call or send a text message. The future had arrived. We found ourselves connected to a whole new digital world; along with having new and unprecedented ways of communication at our fingertips, we had access to information, entertainment and tools to make our lives easier.
The next big thing in digital media is augmented. People have long been familiar with the concept of virtual reality as it has been prominently featured as something synonymous with “the future” throughout culture. As mobile devices and our digital connection with the world around us became part of our daily narrative, users began to seek out ways to interact and integrate more deeply with their content and tools.
On Friday, February 23rd, 2018, Google announced the official release of ARCore, its AR Software platform, which enables developers to build augmented reality (AR) apps. Following the announcement, the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand joined Google as they appeared at the 2018 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. During the week-long technology exhibition, Google demonstrated a selection of apps built using ARCore to tech industry leaders and the media.
The Sotheby’s International Realty brand worked closely with Google in the run up to ARCore’s release and benefited from worldwide media exposure of this announcement including coverage in CNBC, Engadget, The Verge and Google’s blog.
The highly anticipated Sotheby’s International Realty brand AR app was built with Google’s ARCore, and, when launched, will bring a home’s virtual staging from perception to reality, allowing users to visualize a house as their own before purchase, adding a new level of curation to the home-buying experience.
The AR app is just another example of Sotheby’s International Realty leading the real estate industry in keeping up with the latest technology trends. Sotheby’s International Realty was the first luxury real estate brand to launch on Apple TV and was also the first luxury real estate brand to add 3D and virtual reality tours to our website. And now, we are the first luxury real estate brand to launch an augmented reality app.
Mark your calendars! The Sotheby’s International Realty brand augmented reality app will be available for download in the Google Play Store on March 20th.
