How can you ensure that your AR connectivity standards are future-proof?

1 What are AR connectivity standards and protocols?

AR connectivity standards and protocols are the rules and specifications that define how AR devices and applications communicate with each other and with external sources of data and content. They cover aspects such as data formats, encoding, compression, encryption, transmission, synchronization, authentication, and interoperability. AR connectivity standards and protocols can be either proprietary or open, depending on the level of control and compatibility that the developers and users want.

2 Why are AR connectivity standards and protocols important?

AR connectivity standards and protocols are important because they affect the performance, quality, security, and scalability of AR experiences. For example, they determine how fast and reliable the data transfer is, how much bandwidth and battery power are consumed, how secure the data and content are from unauthorized access or manipulation, and how easy it is to integrate different AR devices and applications. AR connectivity standards and protocols also influence the innovation and adoption of AR technology, as they enable or limit the collaboration and compatibility among different stakeholders, such as developers, users, content providers, and network operators.

3 What are the challenges of AR connectivity standards and protocols?

AR connectivity standards and protocols are challenged by the diversity and complexity of AR devices and applications, which require varying levels of data processing, rendering, and display capabilities, as well as different user interfaces and interaction modes. Additionally, the unpredictable nature of AR environments necessitates constant adaptation and optimization of data and content delivery, along with robust error handling and recovery mechanisms. AR users have high expectations for seamless, immersive, and engaging experiences with low latency, high resolution, and minimal interruptions or glitches. Lastly, the lack of consensus among the AR industry and community leads to fragmentation and inconsistency in standards and protocols, as well as potential conflicts and compatibility issues.

4 What are some examples of AR connectivity standards and protocols?

Existing and emerging AR connectivity standards and protocols offer a range of advantages and disadvantages. Wi-Fi is a widely available, fast, and easy to use wireless network technology that allows AR devices and applications to connect to the internet or local networks, but it can also be unstable, insecure, and interference-prone. Bluetooth is a low-power, secure, and simple to pair wireless technology that allows AR devices and applications to connect to each other or to other devices, but it can also be slow, limited in range, and incompatible with some devices. 5G is an ultra-fast, low-latency cellular network technology that offers high-capacity wireless connectivity for AR applications that require high bandwidth, real-time data, and cloud computing. However, it can be expensive, complex, and unavailable in some areas. Finally, WebXR is a web standard that enables AR devices and applications to access and deliver AR content through web browsers using a common set of APIs and frameworks. It's cross-platform, open, and easy to update but less performant, less secure, and less interactive than native AR applications.

5 How can you ensure that your AR connectivity standards are future-proof?

There is no guaranteed way to ensure that your AR connectivity standards are future-proof, as the AR technology and market are constantly changing. However, some general guidelines and best practices that can be followed include selecting AR connectivity standards and protocols that are flexible, adaptable, and scalable, compatible, interoperable, and integrable, secure, reliable, and robust, as well as user-centric, user-friendly, and user-driven. This will ensure that they can support different types of AR devices and applications; work well with other existing or emerging AR connectivity standards and protocols; protect data from unauthorized access or manipulation; ensure the continuity and stability of the AR experiences; and meet the needs and expectations of users.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?