Google 3D animals: how you can see AR tigers, dogs, lions, and penguins on Google

Have you experienced the augmented reality feature from Google that was launched last year?
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Over the course of lockdown, one special Google feature skyrocketed in popularity - the ability to see life sized versions of a variety of different animals using the tech company’s special lens.

This is thanks to the augmented reality (AR) feature from Google, which was actually launched last year. Since then, Google has continuously added more and more items and creatures that are available to view through your own smart device.

How to use it

This is how to access the AR feature on Google (Photo: JPIMedia)This is how to access the AR feature on Google (Photo: JPIMedia)
This is how to access the AR feature on Google (Photo: JPIMedia)
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If you Google ‘giant panda’, for example, just underneath the image search results and the Wikipedia description of the animal, you’ll see a box that says “Meet a life-sized giant panda up close.”

Next to that box will be a CGI panda moving around, and underneath will be the option to “view in 3D”. Click “view in 3D” and then click “view in your space.”

You’ll need to give Google access to your camera for it to be able to insert the panda into your surroundings.

Which animals does it work for?

Google is always adding new and different animals to this 3D feature.

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These are some of the animals that can be found so far using the augmented reality lens:

Alligator

Angler fish

Ball python

Brown bear
Cat
Black cat
Cheetah
Deer
Duck
Eagle
Emperor penguin
Echidna
Emu
Panda
Goat

Hedgehog

Horse
Kangaroo
Koala
Kookaburra

Leopard

Lion
Macaw
Mallard
Octopus
Platypus
Raccoon
Shark
Shetland pony
Snake
Tiger
Turtle
Quokka
Wombat
Wolf

There are even a number of different dog breeds you can search for:

Bulldog
German Shepherd
Pomeranian
Labrador Retriever
Pug
Rottweiler
Poodle
French Bulldog
Shih Tzu
Chihuahua
Dachshund

You can additionally find different insects, like:

Rhinoceros Beetle

Hercules Beetle

Atlas Beetle

Stag Beetle

Miyama Stag Beetle

Shining Ball Scarab Beetle

Jewel Beetle

Robust Cicada

Brown Cicada

Periodical Cicada

Walker’s Cicada

Evening Cicada

Mantis

Grasshopper

Giant Stag

Ladybug

Firefly

Roasilia Batesi

Swallowtail Butterfly

Morpho Butterfly

Atlas Moth

Hornet

There are many dinosaurs you can search for as well:

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Tyrannosaurus Rex

Velocirpator

Triceratops
Spinosaurus

Stegosaurus

Brachiosaurus

Ankylosaurus
Dilophosaurus
Pteranodon

Parasaurolophus

You can also find loads of other 3D items, including planets, anatomy, cells, cars and even Neil Armstrong’s astronaut space suit.

How do I know if my phone is AR enabled?

The developer page on Google explains that for a device to be supported, it needs to have passed their certification process.

“To certify each device, we check the quality of the camera, motion sensors, and the design architecture to ensure it performs as expected,” Google states.

For Android users, Google requires:

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- An operating system of Android 7.0 or later - although some models require even newer versions

- The device needs to have been originally shipped with the Google Play Store installed

Internet access

For iPhone users aren’t left out of the party either. Compatible devices need to be running iOS 11.0 or later.

You can check if your device is compatible on the Google Developer page.

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