Apple released iOS 11 today, and this means anyone with a compatible iPhone or iPad running the new software can now jump into augmented reality. And we’re not talking about Pokémon Go’s pseudo-AR; this means, to paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi, games and applications that take the first steps towards a larger world.

It’s also an important step if Apple and Facebook are to lead mobile AR to become a $60bn-a-year industry with 1bn users by 2021, as tech adviser Digi-Capital projects.

But what does this mean for you or me, people who might be considered early adopters but aren’t sure what to make of AR taking its next step in iOS? Well, the first thing you’re going to need is… patience. Remember, iOS 11 is new and I’m warning you not to update it until Apple irons out the bugs.

However, this message of patience goes beyond simply waiting for Apple to resolve the issues with iOS 11. In 2015 and 2016, we saw a great deal of enthusiasm, and one could argue overinvestment, in consumer VR. 2017 brought what’s known as “the valley of disappointment,” as we’re seeing few major hits for VR games and experiences. I feel impatience with this sector, frustration and fear that it is not growing faster.

But people – investors, developers and designers, and fans – should be more patient. And I hope the same feeling of impatience doesn’t arise with AR. Sure, some may argue that it has a better chance just because billions of iPhones and Android devices are on the market. People don’t need to add expensive VR PCs, because most of us already have AR in our pockets thanks to our smartphones.

Please, be patient. Give developers and designers the time to create these experiences, the headsets and headsets to improve them, and the breathing room to work on them once they’re available. Otherwise, we may be talking about AR disappointment in 2018.

For AR/VR coverage, please send news tips to Dean Takahashi and Jeff Grubb (for those moving on to PC gaming). Please send guest post submissions to Rowan Kaiser. Be sure to check out our AR/VR channel.

—Jason Wilson, Managing Editor, GamesBeat

PS: Lone Echo from the Ready at Dawn studio shows a deft touch when it comes to storytelling in VR.

By GamesBeat

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