Here's how to see Google's AR dinosaurs in your living room - and which ones are available

(Image: Google)(Image: Google)
(Image: Google)

Google have already provided users with hours of time-wasting (yet educational) fun with 3D animals, and now their attention has turned to a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.

Thanks to similar tech that allowed to see what a giant panda might look like if it perched on the end of your bed, Googlers can now get up close and personal with a Pteranodon or an Ankylosaurus.

The tech giant has partnered with Universal, Amblin Entertainment and the makers of iOS and Android game ‘Jurassic World Alive’ to bring dino fans a licensed look at prehistoric creatures that provides facts and information on these most magnificent of animals.

From the fearsome Tyrannosaurus and Spinosaurus to the plant-eating Stegosaurus, all of the mighty beasts are fully 3D-modelled, animated and come with accurate sound effects.

And thanks to advances in tech, you can now view each species at a lifelike scale – the Brachiosaurus is sure to fill your phone’s screen!

Here's everything you need to know about it:

How do I view 3D dinosaurs on Google?

To use the feature, you’ll need to Google a dinosaur on your mobile device, for example: ‘Velociraptor’.

Just underneath the image search results and the Wikipedia description, you’ll be able to see a little box that says, “See a Velociraptor in your space”.

Click the ‘View in 3D’ button, then click ‘View in your space’ to see the dinosaur in your own surroundings, augmented onto images captured by your device’s camera

(You’ll need to give Google access to your camera for it to be able to insert the dinosaurs into your space.)

Unlike the 3D animals already available, the new auto-scale feature on Android can now automatically calculate the distance between your phone and a surface in your space and resize the dinosaur so it fits on your phone screen.

If you tap ‘View actual size,’ AR tracking technology automatically repositions the dinosaur in your space to make room for it.

You can also create AR videos – or recreate your favourite scenes from the ‘Jurassic World’ movies – with the recording option

Which dinosaurs are available?

There are 10 different species of dinosaur you can see through the feature.

The full list of available dinosaurs is as follows:

  • Tyrannosaurus
  • Ankylosaurus
  • Brachiosaurus
  • Dilophosaurus
  • Parasaurolophus
  • Pteranodon
  • Spinosaurus
  • Stegosaurus
  • Triceratops
  • Velociraptor

What does AR enabled mean?

In order to access this feature, your device will need to be AR enabled. Thankfully, most recent smartphones will be AR enabled by default.

For Android users, Google requires an operating system of Android 7.0 or later, originally shipped with the Google Play store already installed, and internet access.

For iPhone users, you need to be running iOS 11.0 or later. You’ll likely already be running iOS 11.0 or later, but if you’re not sure, simply head to your settings > general and then tap software update.

If there is a software update available, hit download and install.

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