Qualcomm has announced availability of its Augmented Reality (AR) Software Development Kit (SDK) for Android, which it says will “enable a new breed of applications that deliver interactive 3D experiences on everyday objects, such as 3D gaming experiences on tabletops and interactive media experiences on product packaging and promotional items.” The company says its approach uses computer visual technology to align graphics tightly with underlying objects, as an evolution from existing AR apps which use a handset’s compass and GPS to power mapping applications. This delivers a “fundamentally different user experience” in which graphics appear as if they are anchored to real-world objects.

Qualcomm says the SDK provides developers with an advanced feature set, allowing for the augmentation of everyday images on printed media, as well as simple 3D objects such as boxes used for product packaging. It also enables users to interact with AR applications by “simply touching real-world surfaces.” Since it was first announced at the company’s Uplinq developer conference, it has “drawn interest from companies spanning a variety of industries, from traditional mobile developers to consumer product manufacturers and marketers.” The SDK is currently available from Qualcomm’s developer website, in beta form.