Hyper-Local, Augmented Reality: The Next Big Thing
Location-aware devices are changing the way we interact with the world around us.
One of the predictions for the mobile space that is slowly coming to fruition is the offering of extremely localized services & information. As more and more consumers start switching from traditional cellphones to GPS-capable, mobile-data connected smartphones, applications in this space are set to explode.
Similar to audio tours through museums, new location-aware smartphones are set to change the mobile space.
Many people are already familiar with “geotagging”, a function of a GPS-capable camera to embed the location where the photo was taken into the photo. This allows the location to later be plotted on a map. Another category of GPS-enabled devices becoming more popular are route-tracking pedometers (for joggers, walkers, bikers, etc.) that allow them to track their path. These devices can usually also be connected to heart-rate monitors.
Google’s Latitude service has been out for a while and allows you to broadcast your location, either publicly or to a closed list of friends.
FourSquare is a service similar to Twitter, but with GPS information for sharing local hangouts, coffee shops and other discoveries around your city.
So what is augmented reality? A video, courtesy of www.ted.com will explain this a lot easier than words:
In essence, the location-aware device can provide additional information about the surroundings. Currently, the most promising development is a product called “Layar“. They already have applications for the iPhone and Android.
Earlier in the year, Wimbledon had their own augmented reality application that provided information about the venue, local restaurants and other information.
In the hyper-local space, applications are being written with information for specific cities. Many websites for local services and business are also creating mobile versions of their websites. On the iPhone, Toronto has the “Red Rocket” application while Vancouver has an iPhone version of the Translink website.
Local 24-hour news radio station 680 News (AM) also recently released a free BlackBerry application that provides news updates and traffic.
Toronto’s Eaton Centre also just released a free iPhone application with mall information.
Imagine walking by a store and being sent the current sales promotions or by a fast-food joint and receiving a coupon. The possibilities are endless. To those concerned by the apparent invasion of privacy, all these services are of course, opt-in.
Try one of these applications today!
Has anyone who might think, and believe me the major geek in me is really titillated for sure, that this is a great idea has not read the book 1984? Double speak anyone, happy dreams.
Now if we could get the dealers from the hood to say send a line straight to your screen as you drive by, snort. Be careful not to download beer thought, could damage the electronics. Never ever mix drugs with alcohol and no virtual drinking while driving, passing a cop shop could result in them sending a ticket.
i do not fret about my choice of toilet paper give me a break
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