Ikea's plans for ARKit revealed, virtual shopping tool will launch in fall with iOS 11

AppleInsider

Briefly teased at the WWDC keynote, flat-pack furniture company Ikea has officially declared that it is working on a ARKit catalog for the iPhone that will launch at some point in late 2017.

Ikea's Leader of Digital Transformation Michael Valdsgaard revealed the fall timetable for the app to Di Digital, saying that it is the first AR app that assists users to buy material goods. However, the ability to buy the furniture in-app may not make the first version of the app, according to the executive.

Fairly obviously, the app will superimpose offerings from Ikea's catalog in a user's space in real-time, and apply ligthing effects, all seen through an iPad or iPhone's screen. Smaller items will be placed accurately on table's using the already-demonstrated capabilities of surface identification and measuring in ARKit.

Valdsgaard said that the app would launch with between 500 and 600 products. Newly launched home accessories and furniture would debut in the app in the future, perhaps even before they hit Ikea store floors.

Apple Vice President Craig Federighi announced at WWDC that ARKit is coming to iOS 11, expected to launch in the fall. Federighi noted that Apple's integration with the iOS and the iPhone hardware allowed for the technology, that was being previewed at the time to Lego, Ikea, and other companies.

ARKit will be limited to the iPhone 6s and newer, and the iPad Pro and more recent.

Also coming from Ikea is HomeKit compatibility for its Tradfri smart bulb line. The firmware update for Tradfri is expected in late summer or early fall.

SpamSandwich

Will their app come with a virtual Allen wrench?

dachar

I think Tim Cook is right to be so enthusiastic about these type of applications. This is a real world use that I believe will have much longer user interest than the latest Sci Fi / fantasy games. That is not to say the best VR games will not be mega hits. They will, but for how long? Remember Pokeon Go? Everyone was doing it for a month or two, then interest started to tail off. I don't see any kids doing it now. I believe we will return to AR software time and again. Interested to see on AI other peoples' views.

auxio

SpamSandwich said:

Will their app come with a virtual Allen wrench?

As well as the virtual parts you're missing

randominternetperson

Anyone else see the first episodes of Planet of the Apps?  First, one of the 2 selected ideas was crushed by a Google announcement.  Now the other one is being crushed by an Apple announcement.  Unless that guy and his team are behind the Ikea announcement, he's going to be facing a ton of competition.

lostkiwi

Does anyone know if ARkit will work on a iPhone SE?

foregoneconclusion

lostkiwi said:

Does anyone know if ARkit will work on a iPhone SE?

You need at least an A9 processor to be able to use it. 

Rayz2016

Just two more cabinets from the "Smug" range and I'll have the complete set…

Mike Wuerthele

foregoneconclusion said:

lostkiwi said:

Does anyone know if ARkit will work on a iPhone SE?

You need at least an A9 processor to be able to use it. 

As the SE has an A9, yes, it will.

slprescott

While I may have fan-boy glare in my eye, I do think that late 2017 is when AR will begin to go mainstream.

(Arguably it already occurred with Pokemon Go in 2016, but that seemed to fade quickly, rather than become pervasive through a broad range of apps.)

jbdragon

dachar said:

I think Tim Cook is right to be so enthusiastic about these type of applications. This is a real world use that I believe will have much longer user interest than the latest Sci Fi / fantasy games. That is not to say the best VR games will not be mega hits. They will, but for how long? Remember Pokeon Go? Everyone was doing it for a month or two, then interest started to tail off. I don't see any kids doing it now. I believe we will return to AR software time and again. Interested to see on AI other peoples' views.

I think this will be a pretty big deal. I can't wait to try it. I have some ideas for storage in my so called Computer Room and if I can AR it the room, all the better. I've gotten a number of items from them and they've been great. For example, I got this Bedroom Dresser and it's really nice. It's solid wood on everything, not composite crap. The drawers slide really nice. Even now 4 years later. In was in a couple boxes. It was easy enough to assemble. At least for me and I've never had any missing parts. They make cheapo stuff also, so you have to know what you're getting. I think AR is the future. VR, I think it's fading fast. You are locked in your own little world isolated from the real world. For some games and stuff OK, but it's not ready, maybe in another 10-20 years it'll make another comeback. This type of AR will be a big hit and coming out for so many iOS devices at once will really put it out there to be supported.

bestkeptsecret

randominternetperson said:

Anyone else see the first episodes of Planet of the Apps?  First, one of the 2 selected ideas was crushed by a Google announcement.  Now the other one is being crushed by an Apple announcement.  Unless that guy and his team are behind the Ikea announcement, he's going to be facing a ton of competition.

Yeah, I saw the first 2 episodes. The guy who designed the Pair app finally didn't get any funding. He botched up what he was trying to sell.

My wife got excited by the Tracks app shown on Episode 2. I think, despite any expectations to the contrary, Will.I.Am turned out to be a very good mentor. 'Cos he's got the golden boots!!

bestkeptsecret

dachar said:

I think Tim Cook is right to be so enthusiastic about these type of applications. This is a real world use that I believe will have much longer user interest than the latest Sci Fi / fantasy games. That is not to say the best VR games will not be mega hits. They will, but for how long? Remember Pokeon Go? Everyone was doing it for a month or two, then interest started to tail off. I don't see any kids doing it now. I believe we will return to AR software time and again. Interested to see on AI other peoples' views.

The fact that Tim Cook mentioned in an interview that he is so excited about AR that he wants to scream means that something big is going to happen this Fall.

It's the excitement you have when you know you have something that will blow someone's mind, but you need to wait for the special day to announce it.

Rayz2016

bestkeptsecret said:

dachar said:

I think Tim Cook is right to be so enthusiastic about these type of applications. This is a real world use that I believe will have much longer user interest than the latest Sci Fi / fantasy games. That is not to say the best VR games will not be mega hits. They will, but for how long? Remember Pokeon Go? Everyone was doing it for a month or two, then interest started to tail off. I don't see any kids doing it now. I believe we will return to AR software time and again. Interested to see on AI other peoples' views.

The fact that Tim Cook mentioned in an interview that he is so excited about AR that he wants to scream means that something big is going to happen this Fall.

It's the excitement you have when you know you have something that will blow someone's mind, but you need to wait for the special day to announce it.

Actually, my mind was blown when I watched that demo from Peter Jackson's AR company at the WWDC.