ARKit processor limitations cuts compatibility to iPhone 6s, iPad Pro and newer
A line has been drawn through the iOS 11-compatible devices in ARKit, with only hardware with the A9 or A10 family processors able to use the augmented reality software.
A statement in Apple's developer information specifies compatibility to the two processors, with little other amplifying information. Apple notes that the "breakthrough performance" in the two processors allow for "fast scene understanding" without breaking down why the A8 can't technically accomplish the same feat.
The cut-off for ARKit means that the iPhone 6s, iPhone SE, and iPhone 7 families can use the technology. For iPads, the situation is a bit more restrictive, with the 2017 iPad, and the iPad Pros the only compatible models.
The iOS 11 release as announced supports the iPhone 5s and newer, the iPad Air and newer, and the latest iPod Touch.
Apple Vice President Craig Federighi announced ARKit at Monday's WWDC keynote. The project contains a developer toolset that it will make available to nearly instantaneously make the iPhone and iPad the largest AR platform in the world, according to the company.
In a demonstration of software produced by the new ARKit, the software identified a table surface, and applied a virtual coffee cup properly scaled to the surface. Following a lamp's addition to the surface, the lighting model adjusted dynamically as Federighi moved the lamp around the cup.
A statement in Apple's developer information specifies compatibility to the two processors, with little other amplifying information. Apple notes that the "breakthrough performance" in the two processors allow for "fast scene understanding" without breaking down why the A8 can't technically accomplish the same feat.
The cut-off for ARKit means that the iPhone 6s, iPhone SE, and iPhone 7 families can use the technology. For iPads, the situation is a bit more restrictive, with the 2017 iPad, and the iPad Pros the only compatible models.
The iOS 11 release as announced supports the iPhone 5s and newer, the iPad Air and newer, and the latest iPod Touch.
Apple Vice President Craig Federighi announced ARKit at Monday's WWDC keynote. The project contains a developer toolset that it will make available to nearly instantaneously make the iPhone and iPad the largest AR platform in the world, according to the company.
In a demonstration of software produced by the new ARKit, the software identified a table surface, and applied a virtual coffee cup properly scaled to the surface. Following a lamp's addition to the surface, the lighting model adjusted dynamically as Federighi moved the lamp around the cup.
Comments
The WWDC looks great for Apple's business. The Apple Payment Card means Apple will (like a bank) be holding onto and able invest a chunk of user money. The iPad became a far a more serious professional device, with a file system and other features. We now have iMacs with the power to run VR - a compelling reason for many to buy them, and even more powerful iMac Pros in the pipeline as well as the yet to be seen MacPro. Also a revitalized iOS App Store.
Analysts previously bemoaned Apple's lack of VR, supposedly non-pro iPad, lack of Amazon Echo type device etc. Apple has answered almost everything.
Apple have put a lot of work into building an opitmized foundation for AR and VR and it promises to pay off in terms of performance. Same with HomePod - rather than rushing to market, they worked "for years" perfecting an advancement in acoustics and audio processing to create a speaker worthy of an Apple product. HomePod is not competing directly against Amazon Echo because Echo sounds relatively poor, neither is HomePod competing directly against Sonos, because Sonos is not so smart - it is competing against both and neither - it stands alone - it is perfectly positioned - it's much more than a great speaker.
The ecosystem has got much stronger with this WWDC in a way that will reinforce iPhone sales and complement them with another great accesory in HomePod. There's still a wait for AirPods, with supply lagging behind damand and already Apple has shown us what's next.
And that's not even counting the next iPhone which drops this Fall! All WWDC indicators point to one of the most exciting iPhone releases ever.
- High expectations for new iPhone with new design, which generally drives upgrades (biggest risk to this new lineup as well if delayed/reduced supply)
- Updated high-end iPad Pros with significantly improved s/w functionality to expand use cases, along with lower cost entry models to boost upgrades and new entrants
- Mac line updated/refreshed in the most important areas.
- Wearables coming into their own - Watch v3 + AirPods likely to have a banner holiday quarter
- new HomePod (for select markets) - won't have a financial impact, but should drive a good narrative
- strong hints of new Apple TV, with 4K support and 4K & H.265 iTunes content (H.265 with 1080p is actually more impactful to more people...)
ARKit is already the most competent AR tracker on a mobile device. I have worked with Tango and ARKit meets its capabilities without requiring additional energy burning sensors.
But ARKit has the beginnings of a convincing indoor mapping capability. I strongly suspect that iPhone 8 will have excellent mapping capabilities, and with the inclusion of AR will provide users with an everyday practical use of AR for navigation that will cause a huge take up of the product.
Apple are also placed to be the first vendor that could sell AR based advertising because they will immediately have a market penetration of 500 million devices, big enough to create a huge ad inventory.
If the "straggler" is happy with his iPad 2, why should s/he give it up? And why do you care?