Do you want your mixed reality app to become a real flop? Whether it's augmented reality or virtual reality, you're bound to succeed with the following tips.
Tip 1: Do nothing
Who needs something like app logic?? Just take a 3D model and show it in an augmented reality app.
All people will be thrilled. It is a new technology. This is cool.
Especially for children it's enough. Otherwise there wouldn't be all those free apps for fast food and toys. Where simply nothing happens.
Tip 2: Solve all the tasks in the world in a mixed reality app
Of course you can also go the other way around. Overload your application with numerous features. The more, the better.
Be sure to combine different technologies: e.g. Multiple tracking types in augmented reality or different locomotion types in virtual reality.
In the best case, no one will know what it's all about anymore.
Tip 3: Claim it's like the real thing
Tell everyone around that your virtual reality app is like the real thing. No difference at all to reality. It's breathtaking.
- People no longer need to travel. Because the virtual reality view is just like actually being on site.
- You don't want to meet in real-live anymore either. Only in VR. Everybody loves it.
No matter how good your app is, people will definitely be disappointed. Magic Leap led the way with one of the biggest mixed reality flops.
Tip 4: Don't make a guide
Assume that all users already have a lot of experience with Mixed Reality.
Don't explain to them that they first need to move the smartphone to reconstruct the environment. And then tap to display the 3D models.
It is even easier if your app works with image targets: Just put the image somewhere on your website. Users will have to work a little harder to find the image. Because the app won't work without it.
Don't introduce controllers or hand gestures in virtual reality either. Then the users don't know what to do and give up in frustration.
Tip 5: Do everything differently
Why should you follow the competition? It is best to do everything differently.
Especially with user input you have excellent possibilities to do this.
Assign the keys of the Virtual Reality controllers basically differently. This will make you stand out from the rest. And your users keep pressing the wrong button.
Tip 6: Use 3D views only
Mixed reality is a great technology.
So don't limit yourself to 3D data in virtual and augmented reality. but do EVERYTHING in 3D.
For example, videos: Place them in augmented reality. The users have to hold up the cell phone all the time. And see the video distorted in perspective.
Haven't seen it yet, but Excel spreadsheets would be a good idea too.
Tip 7: Don't get hung up on performance
Use detailed 3D models and images with huge resolution. So that it looks really nice.
It is just a little bit jerky. And the phone gets really hot.
Best to test yourself only on a new top smartphone. Then you don't have to deal with it. And don't waste time trying to improve performance.
Of course it is even better for Virtual Reality. Because jerky images often lead to motion sickness.
Tip 8: Trust that it will look like you everywhere
Finally a special tip for Augmented Reality.
Don't test the app outside your office. Then you will always have the same results for the real environment – the same walls, floors, tables, etc.
The advantage: you don't have to deal with unusual constellations (hm, walls are not always at a 90° angle to each other?). And finish testing much faster.
The app might work then. only good for people who have a similar setup as you do.
How to do it better?
You want to do it better and create a successful Mixed Reality application?
Then just do the opposite of my anti-tips.
- Think about a good concept. What do the users want to achieve with the application??
- Focus on the most important task.
- Be realistic with your promises.
- Integrate instructions directly in the app.
- Stick to common methods for user input.
- Use the right format. Mixed reality is not always better than a 2D application.
- Make sure the performance is good. And specify on which devices your app does not work well.
- Test the app as good as possible and especially with augmented reality in different environments.
And of course, general software standards apply to mixed reality as well. No one likes crashes, long wait times, or a confusing user interface.
Hopefully I didn't scare you off with this list. If you're looking for support for a project, I'd love to hear from you.