Apple just made its first big push into AR, the tech that wants to eventually kill the smartphone

Apple has finally entered what many believe to be the next big wave of computing: augmented reality.

At its annual conference for developers on Monday, Apple unveiled new augmented reality (AR) software that can display virtual objects onto the real world.

The software, dubbed AR Kit, will let apps like Pokémon Go place virtual characters onto real objects through the iPhone's camera. The goal is to make the iPhone "the largest AR platform in the world," according to Apple executive Craig Federighi.

The biggest companies in tech, from Facebook to Microsoft, are all working on AR technology. Startups like Magic Leap are working on eyewear with the hopes of one day replacing smartphones by overlaying virtual objects onto the real world. Apple is rumored to be working on its own AR headset, although the company has yet to announce any hardware details yet.

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