Arguably one of the greatest ways to procrastinate — or, er, take a well-deserved break — is by playing with the photos and videos on our phones. Filters are fun enough, but then Google went and added augmented reality to its phone app and everything changed.
Augmented reality is technology that blends digital content into the real world and unlike virtual reality, you don't need a headset.
With Google's AR feature, you can search for the aforementioned hedgehog (or other animals) with your phone and then click to view them through your camera app in 3D. They become part of the picture on your phone. You can take a picture of a T-Rex lounging in your living room or a zebra into your office.
Google hasn't revealed how many items it has created, presumably preferring that people will search for something to see whether it's part of the list. There are at least 50 animals, including a slew of dinosaurs and even Baby Yoda (a.k.a. Grogu).
Here's how it works: Search for an animal on the Google mobile app and then, if it's available, you'll se a "View in 3D" option by its photo in the Overview section. Tap on that to see it in your space.
The app will scan your space and may ask you to move your phone around so it can get its bearings. Then it'll drop the animal or creature into your room (or actually into the picture of your room you are seeing through your phone's camera.) Turn your sound on so you can hear it, and be ready to take way too many fun photos.