Google has launched two immersive tools, Immersive View, and Immersive Stream for XR. The Immersive View feature in Google Maps allows users to fly like a drone over cities and create a rich digital model of the world, while the Immersive Stream for XR tool lets users access mixed reality experiences via QR codes, and host, render, and stream those experiences to their device using Google Cloud GPUs.
Immersive Stream for XR supports content made in Unreal Engine 5.
Google has launched Immersive View, a major upgrade to its maps app that allows users to fly over cities, creating a digital model of the world.
Google has used "advances in AI and computer vision" to fuse together billions of street view and aerial images to create a "rich, digital model of the world", according to Chris Phillips, a general manager at Google.
The feature launched for global cities like London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo; with plans to make it available for other cities in the future.
In addition to Immersive View, Google has also launched its Immersive Stream for XR tool, which lets people scan a QR code or click a link to access a mixed reality experience.
Google Cloud GPUs then render and stream those experiences to the user's device.
According to Google, Immersive Stream for XR could be used in various ways, such as placing virtual furniture in augmented reality, or seeing virtual cars while shopping.
Google has announced that users will have access to Immersive Stream for XR tools that support content made in Unreal Engine 5.
It was first announced at Google I/O in 2022, and it is now widely available.
Google is already using the technology for its immersive view in Google Maps.
On The Independent, the article focuses mainly on the new features in Google Maps, whilst The Verge provides a broader insight into Google's tools for "creating powerful mixed reality experiences" using its Cloud tool, Immersive Stream for XR.