Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are combined or merged with virtual computer-generated imagery - creating a mixed reality. The augmentation looks life a real life scene and blends with environmental elements, giving real-life images such as sports scores on TV during a match. With the help of advanced AR technology (e.g. adding computer vision and object recognition) the information about the surrounding real world of the user becomes interactive and digitally usable.
Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality combines real-world images with computer-generated images on a screen, usually in real time. For example, someone holding up a mobile phone equipped with a camera, a global positioning satellite (GPS) sensor, compass and the right software, can point to a city street and cover older images of historic buildings or streets.
Dutch company Layar is one of the great pioneers of this amazing software and has made the augmented reality “dream” really come true! Layar is available on Apple Inc's iPhone 3Gs and Google Inc's Android-based mobile phones.
Boonstra showed different ways in which augmented reality can be used, such as a Beatles tour guide of London, digital artwork on city streets or a game of Pac-man on the sidewalk.
Augmented reality is not really an innovative idea or what we could call as a new-age inspiration; in fact it's been around for the past 15 years!
Broadcasters were the new adopters who started using digitized images to enhance television pictures especially for big sporting events. Video game makers, notably Sony Corp and Microsoft Corp, have adopted augmented reality technology as a way to create astounding interactive games. So the question is, but what has really changed? In fact the answer is a simple one, the immense revolution of mobile phones that has taken place all over the world. The new fascinating features, processing power and connection speeds are boosting the progress of augmented reality. Augmented reality is becoming more accessible and at the same time is expanding the ways in which it can be used. This has also opened the door for advertisers, who will be able to market goods and services by inserting digital images and objects that are relevant to the location and relevant to the user.
So now that we know what augmented reality really is, let us have a look at its other splendid side. Augmented reality is one of the most exciting technologies around. If you have watched some of those modern Hollywood movies, you have probably seen how our world would look like 20-30 years from now. Who knows when augmented applications become mainstream but they are already making their way to the iPhone platform. Augmented reality is the future but thanks to these augmented reality apps for iPhone, you won’t have to wait that long.
So here goes:
1) New York Nearest Places
Lets you explore New York like never before. And you have seen nothing yet. You can get the Chicago version if that’s where you live.
2) SpyGlass
Turns your iPhone into a spyglass. Shows you a compass, GPS info, and much more on the go. Very useful for outdoors.
3) Theodolite
A cool little app that acts as your compass, GPS, map, and two-axis inclinometer. Great for hiking and active sports in general.
4) Panoramascope
This cool app gives you information about your surroundings (mountains, their names, etc). Great for those who are into outdoors, camping, and beyond.
5) AR compass
Great app for travel, camping, and outdoor activities. Now this is what one could call a truly modern compass.
6) RobotVision
An augmented reality application for iPhone that lets you explore your surroundings more effectively.
7) Cyclopedia
Adds Wikipedia information to your reality. When you move your iPhone around, the app will automatically dig up information and display it on your screen.
8) Layar Reality browser
A free application that displays digital information on the top of what you see through your camera. The app has a lot of potential but it has some issues that need to be resolved but it’s free. So try it!
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