Opportunities with Augmented Reality

Will augmented reality give the ecomony a much needed boost?
Firstly, let’s take a look at some definitions. Wikipedia defines augmented reality as: is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery – creating a mixed reality. Or another definition is: Augmented reality (AR) is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real world and computer generated data.

The immediate answer is yes, absolutely. However, as we have always stated, one has to think about the meaning behind the message,
The videos at the end of this article show you the potential that augmented reality could deliver.
We’re still checking out how it all works but it looks promising for:

• Timestamped advertising
• Behind the scenes at events
• New reality TV insights – incase you can’t get enough of the regular fix!
• Product placement
• Restaurant reviews
• New Avatars based on what you wear – In the example, you could change your outfit if you ’stuck on’ the enabling interface/ stitched in device.
• Greater interactive gaming
• Interactive business cards.
• Internal views of products, for example a car – All you do is rotate your magazine!
• Making magazines even more interactive.
• An extended City Tour guide – linked in with your mobile phone’s GPS.
• Interactive museum – With characters from history springing to life!
• Story telling coming to life (i-magic book) – The images just jump off the page!
• A new future for presenting prototype’s and eventually future versions to the final product to a client or construction project.
• Multi-views (3D), inc: medical overlays – for surgeons, before your operation!
• Fantastic journalist opportunities, both for creative views and incorporating Podcasts, both audio and video
• More interactive Podcasts, e.g: Corporate podcasts linked through internal newsletters.
• New forms of e-Learning classrooms but through a virtual gateway.

Just imagine if a tablet PC could include an element of augmented reality.
It is almost another spin on the Semantic Web that Tim Berners-Lee once spoke about. In this case the real-world merges with the virtual world to present new dimensions!

One of the most exciting applications could be something like a series of resturant reviews or even special offer menus. All one would have to do is just aiming your mobile device from your street bound location.

What we need next is a virtual shopping cart and a virtual bank with some virtual currency!!

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