Virtual Reality (VR) in Mobile App Development – A Comprehensive Guide

Market Overview of the AR & VR Technology

Needless to say, AR & VR has taken the world by storm. It has so streamlined marketing that attracting and retaining audiences has become easy. Whether it’s sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste, or some other sensory experience, users are experiencing this all virtually without having to spend a lot and from the comfort of their homes.

A reason why the revenue in the AR & VR market is expected to show an annual growth rate of 13.72% (CAGR 2023-2027) and can reach a market volume of 52.05bn USD by 2027. Moreover, the Average revenue per user (ARPU) is expected to rise to 14.08 USD. Apart from this, the number of users in the AR & VR market can reach 2,593.00 million users by 2027.

On top of that even if we go with industrial share, AR & VR has established its roots in almost all industry verticals. Whether we talk about Gaming, Robotics, Advertising, Communication, Electronics, eCommerce, Manufacturing, Service, or other such industries, all have either implemented this technology long ago or are in the process to implement it on a priority basis.

So it doesn’t matter which industry you belong to, a VR mobile app can help you gain a competitive edge over your market competitors.

Let’s see how.

Top 5 Benefits of VR Technology in Mobile App Development

VR has eventually changed our perspective of looking at things. A reason why it has been expanding immensely. When it comes to the benefits of VR in mobile app development, they are numerous. Let’s go through some of the major ones.

1.Consistent Performance

When we talk about mobile apps, performance, and user experience come on top. This is where VR plays its role. It offers a seamless user experience without compromising high quality and smooth performance. This lets businesses get a competitive edge.

2.Monitoring and Tracking

Most industries demand constant monitoring and tracking of systems. This is where VR can prove to be a boon. A VR-based mobile app can easily track various locations. Apart from this, it becomes easy to monitor anything using a smartphone.

3.Enhanced Mobility

VR-based mobile apps can take mobility to a whole new level. A user can easily use a VR app anywhere and at any time.

4.Effective Learning Tool

VR-based mobile apps can be used on a mass level for training & learning purposes. A reason why many businesses are building VR mobile apps for training their employees. VR-based mobile applications offer an interesting, engaging, and pleasant learning experience.

5.Build & Retain Users

VR technology offers businesses an opportunity to effectively connect with their customers even before they are ready to spend money. This enhances user experience and increases the probability that engagement with the brand will not go in vain.

6 Steps to Develop a VR Mobile App

Most VR mobile app development companies are utilizing VR technology to its fullest for developing AR & VR-based mobile applications. And why not so when some of the tech giants like Meta, Samsung, Sony, etc have understood its power and already have VR-enabled devices and apps in their arsenal? So if you are planning to utilize this advanced VR technology to accelerate your business here are some steps that can help you build a mobile app.

Step 1.Be Clear With Concept & Goals

You must be clear about the purpose of creating an app. It is crucial that you must consider your target market as well as potential competitors before going for an app. It will let you know what is the market requirement and how you can offer a valuable solution through your app.

Step 2.Choose the Appropriate Platform

Once you are done with your research and selecting your goals there comes the mobile app development process. The first thing you must focus on is choosing an appropriate platform and Software Development Kit (SDK).

It is essential to be clear about whether you are going to develop a VR mobile app for Android, iOS, or both users. You are also required to consider devices that your app must support. Apart from this, you must be clear about whether you are developing your VR mobile application inside VR providers like Oculus, or you are standing alone as many of the VR platforms like XboxVR, Oculus Home and so provide a complete set of VR development tools. The good thing about these platforms is, you need not go for further software installation.

Step 3.Select the Right VR Engines

It is essential to develop an appropriate VR engine or what we generally call a game engine. It stores all the data that a user sees or interacts with in the virtual engine. Some of the most popular VR engines you can go with are Unity, Unreal Engine 4, Amazon Sumerian, Google VR, and so on.

Also Read: Unity vs Unreal Engine: Which Game Engine to Choose in 2023?

You must also know that many of the popular game engines are free to use. Apart from this, there are many VR engines that can be easily integrated with specific software SDKs and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). The good thing is, these can be customized as per your specific requirement.

Step 4.Choose the Appropriate Hardware

You can select from the two most popular hardware categories.

• Handheld VR Viewers: These devices come without a head strap but offer an immense virtual environment by attaching the mobile device to the VR viewer.
• Wearable VR Head-Mounted-Displays (HMDs): These are more technologically advanced and robust than handheld VR viewers. HMDs come with controllers for improved input. They contain straps and one needs to insert the smartphone into the headset for an enhanced virtual experience.

Step 5.Designing & Prototyping

You need to understand that VR mobile app development involves complex designs. So it is essential for VR developers to consider prototyping. This will not only aid in testing concepts and systems but also in validating the app’s real goals. Apart from this, if you want to make sure that the virtual environment is conveying a sense of scale, utilizing hardware sensors correctly, having accurate viewing positions, and so on, prototyping becomes necessary.

Step 6.Distribution & Monetization

Needless to say, every VR app needs distribution, marketing, and monetization. Although distribution in both the App and Google Play store is free, when it comes to marketing you may be required to spend a lot depending on your budget

On the other hand when it comes to monetization, Paid (One-Time), Freemium, Subscription, In-app advertising, In-app purchases, and so on are some of the options you can go with.

Emerging Trends in VR Technology

You must have heard about Metaverse, Don’t You? Well, metaverse focuses on AR and VR technology to offer a seamless user experience (especially gaming). This trend is rising at an alarming rate and is expected to rise even more as it is receiving positive user feedback worldwide. Apart from this, headsets, hardware, eye-tracking technology, and so on are on the verge of getting more popular, especially among the younger generation.

But the one industry that is expected to reap the maximum benefit of this VR technology is the retail industry. Whether it’s the online retail industry or brick-and-mortar stores both are using AR & VR to impress their customers. The good thing is, it is working.

Partner with Apptunix for a Scalable & Robust VR Mobile App Development

Apptunix is a leading AR VR App Development Company with a dedicated team of skilled VR developers and designers that have immense knowledge and understanding of the latest technologies and their implications. Whether you are looking for VR App Development, VR Game Development, VR Content Development, Visual Storyboard Development, Virtual Kiosks & Product Displays, 3D graphics & Animations, VR Integration & Deployment, VR Maintenance & Support services, and so on we have proven track record you can rely on.