Within Shows How Apple's ARKit Will Change Kids Entertainment

Now we know why Augmented Reality — computer graphics intermixed with a viewer’s real world — makes Apple CEO Tim Cook want to “yell out and scream.”

Apple is set to launch its ARKit when its latest operating system rolls out later this year, allowing developers to create AR apps for the iPhone and iPad. The world’s largest company is primed to make AR more prevalent than it’s ever been, and developers are already working on having experiences ready to go from day one.

TheWrap was able to get a sneak peek of one of those experiences at Within‘s Los Angeles office recently. Within is best known for virtual reality — with high-profile partnerships with director Kathryn Bigelow and “Mr. Robot,” among others — but Chief Exec Chris Milk is bullish on the ARKit’s ability to bring the technology to the masses.

Also Read: Why WWDC 2017 Is the Perfect Time for Apple to Reveal Its Mixed Reality Plans

“It’s a huge thing,” Milk told TheWrap. “Granted, it’s the beginning of AR through a phone or a tablet. But it’s introducing people to a completely new concept, and a new form of medium that does not have a storytelling structure.”

It’s why his team has been working on an untitled Goldlilocks-themed experience that only needs an iPad and a flat surface to show AR’s potential. Milk — cutting a figure of a taller, more svelte Zach Galifianakis with his pulled-back hair and impressive brown beard — pointed his iPad at a table and started reading along to the story on the screen. Voice activation followed his words and a digital forest began popping up on the iPad, with Goldilocks wandering through trees before heading inside a two-story house.

Milk then took a few steps forward, allowing us to peak through the window and see inside — as if it was a tangible dollhouse sitting on the table, and not a computer animation. If we reached out and touched the screen, we could move the items in the story. Goldilocks then took a seat at a table and, well, you know the rest.

Also Read: Virtual Reality CEO: VR Does Not Spell the End for Movies

Admittedly, I was caught off guard by how cool I found the experience — especially since I’m about 20 years older than the target demo. But Within tapped into how AR can create the 21st Century version of a pop-up book, with users able to turn their kitchen table into a fantasy world. “Goldilocks” was a hybrid production — part-book, part-cartoon, and part-video game. Why wouldn’t a six-year-old reach for the iPad instead of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” if reading is going to be this immersive? It’s easy to imagine this becoming a standard form of entertainment for kids, especially as they’re increasingly digitally-savvy.

As Apple is poised to make hundreds of millions of devices AR-enabled by the end of the year, don’t be surprised if your kids start asking you to download experiences like this to read them stories around the holidays.

11 Coolest Products at CES Asia, From Order-Taking Robots to VR Fishing (Photos)

CES Asia, the three-year-old overseas version of the annual Las Vegas tech extravaganza, took over five halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Center to showcase the latest and greatest in consumer technology -- which included plenty of robots, smart appliances and self-driving cars. A full 450 exhibiting companies and more than 30,000 attendees test drove some products at the bleeding edge of innovation.
Matt Pressberg
Cowarobot autonomous suitcase
This is not your typical overnight bag. The rolling suitcase from China’s Cowarobot can identify and follow its owner through airport concourse traffic, avoiding obstacles along the way. It also automatically locks depending on distance from the owner, alerts when it’s more than a safe distance away.
Matt Pressberg
Pico Neo DKS
The Pico Neo DKS is a wireless virtual reality rig that plays like a full-fledged PC setup, with a 2.5K 5.5 inch HD screen that smooths out the often-blurry and clunky gameplay of most mobile VR devices. The setup uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 processor to deliver substantial computing power.
Matt Pressberg
HiScene HiAR
Like the Neo DKS, one of CES Asia’s buzziest augmented reality headsets also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. The HiAR goggles, which feel heftier than many other AR sets, use artificial intelligence as part of an always-on voice control capability -- as augmented reality continues to move toward a “Minority Report” future.
Matt Pressberg
Shadow Creator Halomini
In case you hadn’t noticed, virtual and augmented reality was kind of a big deal at CES Asia – as it was at the flagship Vegas show earlier this year. Shadow Creator’s Halomini headset, which feels like a lighter version of Microsoft’s HoloLens, allows users to set appointments, chat with friends and watch videos, while keeping their eyes on whatever it was they're watching.
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Ovo Technology Danovo
CES Asia is full of robots, but the Danovo stood out for its fun personality – as much as that applies to an inanimate object. The egg-shaped machine from China’s Ovo Technology can navigate around items, dance, engage with people, and even project video by sliding over the top of its “shell.” Ovo also makes trash collecting and security robots, but they're a lot more serious than the Danovo.
Matt Pressberg
Gowild Holoera
Virtual reality can be lonely, which is why Gowild decided to add a friend. “Amber,” a 3D hologram who lives inside its pyramid-shaped Holoera device, can respond to commands, read moods – and cheer users up with a well-timed song.
Matt Pressberg
Qihan Sanbot
Another entry in CES Asia’s parade of robots was Qihan’s Sanbot, which is based on IBM’s "Jeopardy!"-winning Watson operating system. Sanbot can recognize and communicate with customers in 30 languages and process credit card payments. It also does a delightful dance, complete with glowing, gyrating limbs.
Matt Pressberg
Baidu Little Fish
The smart speaker from Chinese tech giant Baidu is the country’s answer to the Amazon Echo, only with a high-resolution 8-inch screen and camera that turns to face the user. It can handle the basics like controlling smart-home devices and playing music, and its face-recognition software allows authorized users to order food and medicine.
Matt Pressberg
PowerVision Power Ray
The fishing robot includes ocean mapping, an integrated fish luring light and even an optional remote bait drop feature that allows users to place the hook wherever they want. Its camera shoots in 4K UHD and is capable of 1080p real-time streaming. It even connects with the Zeiss VR One Plus VR headset to turn real-life fishing into a virtual reality game.
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JD JDrone
The unmanned aircraft is part of a plan from China’s second-biggest online retailer, JD.com, to use drones to deliver products that weigh as much as one metric ton. The company is also developing fully-automated warehouses.
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Itonology CarMew C1
This lighter socket-mounted device gives cars high-speed wi-fi, allowing people in them (preferably not driving) to get work done and stream music. It connects near field FM, auxiliary dual channels and car audio, and enables sharing of 4G networks.
Matt Pressberg

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The Chinese version of the annual tech extravaganza featured plenty of robots and serious advances in mobile virtual reality

CES Asia, the three-year-old overseas version of the annual Las Vegas tech extravaganza, took over five halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Center to showcase the latest and greatest in consumer technology -- which included plenty of robots, smart appliances and self-driving cars. A full 450 exhibiting companies and more than 30,000 attendees test drove some products at the bleeding edge of innovation.

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11 Coolest Products at CES Asia, From Order-Taking Robots to VR Fishing (Photos)

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