Google Brings ‘The Mandalorian’ to AR in its New App

Google has partnered with Lucasfilm on a free Android app to bring iconic and realistic moments The Mandalorian to life using AR and 5G.

Google, Disney, and Lucasfilm call it a “next-generation augmented reality app optimized for 5G devices.” Pixel phones previously featured Star Wars: The Last Jedi AR stickers, but Google has since moved away from putting content in the Camera app for more widely available alternatives, like today’s offering and AR animals.

The ARCore platform was leveraged to “build hyper-detailed models and life-like animations.” For example, the Depth API makes possible occlusion where virtual items can realistically appear behind or in front of real world objects.

Scenes interact and respond to your current environment, while your actions will “unlock even more effects.” New content will be added every Monday, with the app currently featuring AR experiences from the first season — as you can tell from the armor. A shutter button in the bottom-right corner lets you take pictures.

Google says The Mandalorian AR Experience app is only available on select 5G Android phones, like the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. Full requirements are listed here.

Google today also teased “additional exclusive content outside of the app” for Pixel owners. Over the weekend, Made by Google on Twitter teased The Mandalorian AR app with a cryptic wavy-hello GIF. Meanwhile, the Pixel 5’s Sorta Sage color is objectively reminiscent of The Child.

While the experience requires a 5G-capable Android device, Google says that you don’t have to be on an active 5G connection to use the app. Instead, the requirement is more about the technologies these devices include and not the signal itself.

Google has teamed up with Lucasfilm many times over the past several years for promotional marketing campaigns. These are not typically considered ads, because they give both companies the opportunity to showcase their services or technologies. For example, Google allowed users to give its apps a Star Wars-themed makeover back in 2015, which benefited its own services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Chrome and others. It has also introduced both AR and VR experiences featuring Star Wars content over the past several years.

The Mandalorian AR Experience is a free download on the Play Store.

November 24, 2020