5G may be the tech that will bring virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to the masses.
5G mobile technology will change the entire virtual reality ecosystem according to two Chinese tech giants ZTE and Huawei Technologies. Both of these companies, which are based out of Shenzhen, are among the world’s top proponents of 5G. This next generation mobile communications technology is expected to deliver transmission speeds 100 times faster than current 4G networks. This makes it far more ideal for VR and AR, which currently lacks the technology needed to run optimally.
5G will deliver connection speeds of 1 to 10-gigabit per second and less than a millisecond of latency.
In other words, it will take less than a millisecond of time for data to get from one point to another. Presently, streaming 3D content is slow and latency is poor.
According to Roland Sladek, Huawei vice president of international media affairs, “The virtual-reality ecosystem is not mature enough now, in terms of content and bandwidth,” Sladek added that “If you want to stream 3D content, it’s very slow. Latency is not great. That will drastically change with 5G.”
Both ZTE and Huawei Technologies forecast that when 5G mobile infrastructure is widely deployed from 2020 there will be a boom in the global AR and VR markets.
The GSMA says that 5G Mobile Technology will lead to a “hyper-connected society.”
The GSM Association represents almost 800 wireless network operators and approximately 300 companies in the wider ranging mobile network, including ZTE and Huawei. The association believes that 5G will make mobile even more important than it already is to consumers and industries like virtual and augmented reality.
The association and the two Chinese network equipment and handset suppliers are not the only ones who are predicting that VR and AR will take off in the future. Earlier this year analysts from Goldman Sachs predicted that the global VR and AR market will reach $80 billion by 2025. An estimated $45 billion in sales will be generated from hardware and $35 billion from software.
Proponents of 5G mobile technology believe that the new tech will deliver a more seamless virtual and augmented reality experience that simply cannot be provided today.
Rimmel London’s Get the Look beauty app is bound to be a hit with makeup lovers.
The augmented reality app designed for mobile allows users to “steal” a makeup look from friends and even celebrities in magazines. Dubbed the “Shazam of beauty”, Rimmel’s newly launched 3D augmented reality (AR) application uses technology that enables consumers to digitally try out makeup styles. The AR tech identifies makeup on images and people, letting consumers match this makeup with Rimmel products that can be purchased online or in stores.
Mirror technology allows app users to virtually try on Rimmel makeup before buying.
The new app called Get the Look is based on Rimmel’s Get the Look Technology. It also uses the patent-pending FACE technology created by Holition. The AR tool utilizes advanced real-time tracking to detect makeup on the scanned subject. It can detect everything, including mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick, lip liner, foundation, blusher and bronzer. It also identifies skin textures and face shapes. If the app is used to scan makeup from one of the company’s competitors, the technology will automatically pair the consumer with similar Rimmel products.
The face-tracking technology within the app also tracks the movements of users. They can smile, turn and talk and the virtual makeup remains in place just as if they were looking in a real mirror.
The augmented reality app also lets users customize different colors and shades in real-time.
Users can easily capture looks from the street with their smartphones. They can then replicate the look on themselves via the app using Rimmel products. This interactive experience helps consumers to mix and match and find the look that they want.
“Make-up consumption has increased, and one of the main drivers of the market’s growth is that women have access to tutorials,” said Montse Passolas, Vice President of global marketing at Rimmel and Manhatten. “You used to need a make-up artist to know how to do contouring, and now you don’t, you go online, it’s so accessible,” added Passolas.
Rimmel’s augmented reality app provides a similar makeup artist experience. The cosmetic brand’s Get the Look app lets users still try on makeup before buying it online. The app is currently available for both iOS and Android and is free to download.
According to Roland Sladek, Huawei vice president of international media affairs, “The virtual-reality ecosystem is not mature enough now, in terms of content and bandwidth,” Sladek added that “If you want to stream 3D content, it’s very slow. Latency is not great. That will drastically change with 5G.”