Augmented reality app developer Winsche Studios announced today the upcoming launch of the startups’ AR social media app doRRtal, which will feature the ability to take 360-degree photos and share them with friends.

This new AR approach will allow users to view fully immersive 360-degree photos on their mobile devices and AR headsets that their friends send by using their phone as a “window.” When the photo is opened, it arrives as a doorway visible in the world through the phone, and the user then steps through the door and enters the photo.

“At Winsche Studios we are planning to explore all AR possibilities,” said Adam Winczewski, innovation director at Winsche. “DoRRtal is just a beginning to a wonderful journey that we are planning to take along with augmented reality.”

Augmented reality is a still-evolving industry that uses technology to overlay a “second reality” over the vision of users. This can be used to create games that can be played on a dining room table — such as virtual LEGO construction — or enable the viewing of a full-size replica of a museum piece or space probe in the backyard.

It doesn’t stop there, with startups looking into AR gaming, journalists using AR to augment news pieces and enterprise companies looking to use AR to help employees communicate and better understand their workspaces.

According to a report from Research and Markets, the AR market in 2018 was valued at $11.14 billion and is estimated to reach $60 billion by 2033. Much of this growth is expected to be fueled by interest from mobile phone companies, such as Apple Inc., maker of iOS mobile devices such as the iPhone, and Google LLC, the maker of Android devices.

“Augmented reality has a lot to offer, not only in gaming and entertainment but also to other industries,” said Winczewski. “DoRRtal is just a beginning to a wonderful journey that we are planning to take along with AR.”

Winsche Studios also produces another AR app called swiftKARd that uses a similar AR technology “project holograms” from business cards. This effect could be useful for providing extra context for advertisement and outreach for businesses or simply entertainment to make the card more memorable.

The door-based social media app doRRtal is slated to launch in March and will be available for iOS devices.

Image: Winsche Studios