Augmented Reality: Layar browser

June 19, 2009

Layar is a sort of browser derived from location based services and works on mobile phones that include a camera, GPS and a compass. Layar is first avaliable for handsets with the Android. It works as follows: Starting up the Layar application automatically activates the camera. The embedded GPS automatically knows the location of the phone and the compass determines in which direction the phone is facing. Each partner provides a set of location coordinates with relevant information which forms a digital layer. By tapping the side of the screen the user easily switches between layers. This makes Layar a new type of browser which combines digital and reality, which offers an augmented view of the world.

In other words you take your phone, the GPS and compass locate you, but instead of opening the map app, you open the camera, and you focus whatever you want… like a building. There will be a layer on top of the camera with all the info: if you have in your view a restaurant, maybe the menu, if it is a window, maybe is a house for rent so you have the price and the number of bedrooms. Cool, isn’t it?
Take a look at the video:

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