The low-code Microsoft Power Apps is a development system whose users can view the augmented reality-powered capabilities on their phones, for generating three-dimensional models and placing them into real-life workflows within construction, warehouses, manufacturing businesses, and retail.
Microsoft is lauding the latest mixed reality features of Power Apps as a more affordable method for companies to create tailor-made MR applications, rather than appointing a group of developers.
Users can access two types of applications within Power Apps. The Canvas applications let a designer perform drag and drop actions for UI elements to an interface. The UI of model-driven applications is designed for users. Business users can utilise connectors for data integration from a wide range of sources like Office 365, Oracle, Microsoft Azure, SharePoint, and Twitter.
The expected addition of the mixed reality capabilities within Power Apps will let business users harness the AR features on their tablets and smartphones to introduce mixed reality elements within an application. Users will be able to create a three-dimensional object and perform actions like visualising it as a good fit for a particular workspace or how it influences its visibility. The application is expected to facilitate volumetric and linear measurements, widening the possibility of process automation or data source feedback.
They can choose to observe the three-dimensional models and interact with them, and even project them into the real world in typical AR fashion. These visuals can also be saved as photographs and shared.
Microsoft has indicated that many companies who are its customers are already utilising the mixed reality features of the software. This includes an HVAC firm using CAD applications to generate three-dimensional product models. The company is able to include its three-dimensional models within its Power Apps catalog application. This allows it to visualise whether specific models of HVAC equipment will be suitable for different customer sites.
Microsoft is set to release a preview of the MR capabilities of the system to the public in May. Companies that are eager to try it out can send an application to Microsoft for organising in a private preview.
Microsoft is also making efforts to enhance the user experience of Power Apps. The company has recently launched a beta version of an application for both model-driven and canvas applications. Earlier, users were required to install two separate Power Apps versions, which was tedious for them. Power Apps was launched by Microsoft in 2015 to let developers and business users create custom applications, without having to work on code. Google has a similar offering known as Appsheet.
Teams, the collaboration software from Microsoft, has also become better following its integration with Power Apps. Microsoft has remarked regarding the remarkable growth of the Power Apps application within Teams, fuelled by the need for remote working in light of current circumstances due to the coronavirus. Further developments are expected in the future.
