MOORESVILLE, N.C., Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's
Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is launching two apps leveraging
Apple's new ARKit capabilities – Measured by Lowe's and Envisioned
by The Mine – to transform smartphones into powerful measurement
and design aides.
Measured, available for download at Apple's App Store today, is one of the first accessible,
easy-to-use apps using augmented reality to measure an object or
distance within the phone's camera view. Envisioned by The Mine (a
Lowe's company) will be available in early October and allows users
to view high fidelity digital images of furnishings at scale, in
their own home or a commercial space, leveraging ARKit's augmented
reality capabilities. Both apps build upon Lowe's leadership in
developing augmented, virtual and mixed reality applications for
retail.
"At Lowe's, we believe in harnessing the power of technology to
solve every day problems," said Gihad
Jawhar, vice president, digital development at Lowe's.
"Beginning with the Holoroom debut in 2014, to the launch of Lowe's
Vision last November, to the introduction of In-Store Navigation in
March, Lowe's has been at the forefront of exploring how mixed
reality technology can enhance the customer experience. We were
immediately onboard to expand this capability into Apple's ARKit to
help solve some of the most common visualization barriers in home
improvement: measurement and design."
Measured uses the iPhone (6S model and newer) camera to allow
users to measure anything in the real world quickly and easily, and
save it for later. Unlike other apps, Measured hits the sweet spot
between precision and play. Users can get instant measurements and
even share their "measured moments" on social media, straight from
the app. From measuring the height of a chandelier for a foyer to
measuring the height of your child and sending it to grandma, the
app is intended to be the everyday go-to tool for all
consumers.
"We learned how much we actually measure on a day-to-day basis
and set out to create a beautiful tool that would help people
quickly and easily measure moments, as well as projects," said
Jawhar. "The app's versatility and ability to address virtually any
consumer measurement need, with both accuracy and an entertaining
user experience, is pretty incredible."
Envisioned by The Mine, a premier online destination for luxury
home furnishings, is a fully featured, end-to-end design and
shopping app built specifically for ARKit compatibility for iPhone
models 6S and newer. Customers begin their journey by navigating
through The Mine's designer-inspired product catalog. Once an item
is selected, users can immediately place a high-quality,
accurate-to-scale 3D version into their room, and modify, rotate or
duplicate. The app's photo mode then allows users to capture
images, share and purchase. The app also integrates with
TheMine.com to provide a seamless shopping experience with
existing, high fidelity 3D models that are generated by Lowe's
Innovation Labs proprietary 3D content creation and distribution
technology called LIL 3D.
According to Michelle Newbery,
president of The Mine, "Our customers come to The Mine for a
seamless, high-touch shopping experience that combines
design-inspired home furnishings with a personal concierge level of
service. With our new app, we're taking this virtual showroom a
step further to build customer confidence before they buy."
Lowe's continues to explore new and emerging technologies to
provide helpful tools for customers and employees, including new
consumer augmented reality applications, as they deliver advanced
uses for retail.
About Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a
FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than
17 million customers a week in the United
States, Canada and
Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses
operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware
stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in
Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports
the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12
public education and community improvement projects. For more
information, visit Lowes.com. The Mine is operated by
Allied Trade Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe's Companies, Inc.
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SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.