Augmented Reality, or the synthesis of virtual information with tangible experiences, has been a fixture of the future as imagined in books, movies and television for years. Having instant, relevant data presented as a seamless overlay on the viewer’s visual field is the usual depiction of AR in these story-telling media—a logical evolution of technology such as medical imaging. Only with AR, instead of the surgeon looking at a monitor then back to the field, he sees projected in front of him the data he needs.
Fascinating sure, but not really common place, which is probably why AR hasn’t yet become a big deal outside of research, academia, and science fiction. But all that is poised to change now that a technology platform that’s powerful—and popular—enough to drive Augmented Reality applications into the mainstream. Witness not one but two apps for the iPhone 3GS that takes advantage of its video camera and graphics hardware to allow users to navigate two cities and their mass transit infrastructure: Nearest Subway for New York and Nearest Tube for London, both developed by Acrossair.
“Augmented Reality.” Wikipedia Wikimedia Foundation, Inc July 15, 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality>
Acrossair. “Nearest Tube Augmented Reality App for iPhone 3GS from acrossair.” YouTube YouTube, LLC July 6, 2009 July 15, 2009 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2uH-jrsSxs>
Acrossair. “New York Nearest Subway Augmented Reality App for iPhone 3GS from acrossair.” YouTube YouTube, LLC July 9, 2009 July 15, 2009 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6r2tIaRXU>
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