Part 1: Augmented Reality through the Layar Browser

The purpose of this post is to give some examples and context around augmented reality and specifically, the over 200 apps that have been developed during the last six months with Layar. I have Layar reality browser installed on my iphone. It is a browser that uses the combo of camera, GPS and compass to give database access at the intersection between virtual and reality. Sounds futuristic, I know, but it allows us to cross the data boundary through both time and space.

A business week article from 11/3 provides a quick survey of augmented reality and predictions on growth in main stream areas. The CEO Guide to Augmented Reality is worth reading. Gartner sounds bite:

"By 2012 there will be 150 million to 200 million users.."

This video describes the Layar reality browser. Since the video is a couple of months old, it doesn't cover the 3D functionality that was just added. Haven't played with that yet but when I do, will post on that later.

Pitch Winnaar overall Accenture Innovation Award 2009: Layar from FunnelVision on Vimeo.

This link is to an NPR program on one of the Layars apps - Recovery.gov.

I'll post more on this over the next few days and weeks but it is just beyond cool and gets my vote for disruptive technology of this decade! This technology opens up so many ideas and avenues for putting information that people need and want specific to a spatial context at the end of the finger and the eyeball. You can see, hear and dig deeper for more database info - - all mediated through a simple to use interface.

Phantom City is another example.

Last one for today. A practical solution for the old school flashing headlights communication method to notify you that a speed trap is ahead. Trapster. I plan to use this when I take the painfully long trip east for Thanksgiving with the family.