Wow, we can’t believe it’s already been one year since we rolled out 8th Wall Web! Since its debut in September 2018, our partners and customers have developed some pretty amazing augmented reality activations using 8th Wall’s entirely web-based solution. We’ve seen everything from super heroes scaling walls to cheers-ing leprechauns to flight attendants inviting you to step onboard a Transatlantic flight.
Take a look back at our first year in WebAR:
The Numbers
One year, 10,575 developer accounts and 5,103 WebAR apps later, we’ve learned that 80% of end users spend more than 1 full minute within each published WebAR experience. Furthermore, according to our data, 50% of users spend greater than 2 minutes interacting within a single WebAR activation.
In terms of market reach, recent reports published by ARtillry estimate that the global market of WebAR-compatible devices is over 2.97 billion, compared to just 1.11 billion ARKit- and 550 million ARCore-compatible devices. That means that WebAR has the ability to reach nearly twice as many smartphones as native AR apps.
Courtesy of ARtillry IntelligenceWhat’s New?
Since we first launched 8th Wall Web, we’ve listened closely to your requests and project needs, and have responded with new updates and features to help optimize the development process. In the last year we’ve introduced a prototyping tool called AR Camera, endless image targets, the ability to embed AR experiences onto your website, front camera support, iframe support, and key integrations including A-Frame, three.js, Amazon Sumerian, Microsoft’s Babylon.js, 8i, and PlayCanvas.
Your feedback is super important to us, so if you haven’t already, make sure to join our public Slack channel where you can submit feature requests, connect with other WebAR developers, and receive project support in real time.
This Week’s Activations
Stepping into year two, our customers have already blown us away with their latest campaigns. Here’s a glimpse of some of the hot-off-the-press activations that have us like ? —
Sarah Jessica Parker Shows Us How to Do the Bra Twist for Intimissimi
Not only does actress and Sex-and-the-City icon SJP have an AR avatar, but she has an AR avatar who can dance! Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi’s WebAR activation bring SJP into your world, so she can show you how to get the perfect bra fit.
Customers can try out a selection of 40 bras on five different AR avatar characters — including Sarah Jessica Parker herself — to explore the line of lingerie. Mix and match with the character of your choice, then do the “Bra Twist” dance with her to the tune of the vintage Italian classic, Guarda Come Dondolo. Users can snap a pic with SJP and share to social media, and even enter the e-commerce flow directly through the activation.
Produced by agencies 72 and Sunny and Spark Lab. Experience the #BraTwist for yourself here ?
COACH Puts Us in a New York State of Mind
COACH has bestowed its timeless leather staple pieces upon us for generations, and now it’s bringing us on a cruise down the Hudson in fall with its latest WebAR activation.
Produced by Australian-based agency Catalyst VR, the playful experience allows users to scan an image target to open a portal to a surreal New York City, where their latest line of handbags are on full display:
Adidas
ICYMI: Last week Adidas unveiled its WebAR installation at Finish Line stores in the US. Part of its latest campaign, Forever the Future, the in-store activation was created by agencies HappyLucky and 14Four. Secret 3D content is revealed to shoppers using image targets in WebAR. Read more about the activation here.
What features and updates would you like to see 8th Wall introduce? Message us in our public Slack channel or give us a shout on Twitter @the8thwall.
A Year in WebAR: Celebrating the First Anniversary of 8th Wall Web was originally published in 8th Wall on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
