ARE2011

Still recovering from an augmented reality that happened last week. The video footage below shows elements from the Augmented Reality Event (ARE) 2011 in Santa Clara, CA on May 17-18.

This was the 2nd annual event of the largest conference dedicated to the business of augmented reality. Start-ups, developers, mobile and hardware companies along with organizations within entertainment, media, education, healthcare, government, tourism, and many more, will gather to evolve this hot technology sector into a productive, sustainable and entertaining new medium.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsN0tCkAR-Y

I will have written highlights from the event soon.

Snowboard Hero

The launch features three applications that have implemented the player. Layar Player – Snowboard Hero for iPhone Video

This Microsoft Bing sponsored app gives players the ability to collect extra credits by firing up the augmented reality Layar Player after playing the game to use for purchasing gear for the game avatar.

I expect with this new feature, we will see more mobile location based augmented reality being used in a variety of applications. Visit this part of the Layar site to learn more. Nice work Layar team!

More soon!

http://site.layar.com/company/blog/layar-is-in-the-iphone-app-store/

{Note, there are not enough really good apps to make a full top 10 as of yet}

First, lets check out the iPhone

10. Car Finder	Although there are many other AR apps like Car Finder, I have this as number 10 because its a good example of a simple 1 function AR app. Now can you get the same thing done using a standard map, yes, but most AR app are about cool then uniquely practical.
9. Wikitude	There are SOOO many nearest search apps out there that I’m going to select Wikitude to represent them.  If someone thinks another local search/discovery app is better, let me know and why.
8. Yelp	Although again, a local search/discovery type of app, I wanted to call it out because of the focus on food and its depth of data. There are others that are competing in this space as well, so we’ll see how long Yelp can keep this position.
7. Pocket Universe	I have Pocket Universe at the 7 position because THIS is an AR map that a traditional 2D map simply cannot compete with. So on our top ten list, Pocket Universe is the first uniquely AR.
6. Layar 3.0	AT first glance, Layar is just like any other search/discovery app.. except for 1 thing.  You can view 3D objects, properly placed, in the scene graph.
5. Dish Pointer	I’m still not sure this should be a 5, I may move it higher, but its a really good use of AR. Basically use your camera to figure out where to point your satellite dish.
4. 3D on the iphone hack	I was not really sure if I wanted to include this since its not really AR in its current form. However, image this hack but with a camera view. Since its already using the cameras for tracking items in the scene graph, this could be the sweets AR tool for programmers ever.
3. Parrot RC Helicoptor	You have to love it.  Fly your Parrot RC helicopter AND have a camera view AND it will recognize 2D barcodes (QR) that turn into objects you can shoot.  WIN
2. Golfscape	I will be the first to admit, I’m putting this on the list because I play golf.  Although I found this to be hit and miss, AND did not spend a lot of time tuning it, its pretty darn good example of AR really adding to your IRL experience. Points out distance, where a bunker is, remembering which club where on the course. Pretty cool. Its $20, but golfers are used to paying for things.
1. Word Lens	Word Lens, to us, is the best example of great use case and really great technical achievement. To translate a sign or simple text, in real time, ON THE ACTUAL SIGN, is pretty cool.   Right now its iphone only, and only Spanish.  Its $10 per language per direction, so it only makes sense in limited applications, but as more languages are added, I expect this to be a very cool tool.

Also notice I did not include Theodolite which is a HUD application.  I may change my mind later and include HUD apps, but for now, not included.

Also, a shout out for ARDefender.  Did not make the list.. but I may change my mind.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB5xUStsUs4

Still waiting for this to get into english:  http://support.sekaicamera.com/en/

AugSatNav 1.5 was not included because it still looks a bit rough, but keeping an eye on it.

Whats new about Layar 3.0 is personal layers. Somewhat like what Google Earth has. I’m not sure how Public Layar discovery is going to work, but I would imagine Public Maps (that are within range) would show up as a list as well as be searchable. Keep in mind there will be PLENTY of situation were you will have Layer fighting for the same physical space.

Layar works with the iPhone and Android.

I’m still working on the article for iPhoneLife on Augmented Reality, so you can be sure I will take what I saw here and extend it even further.  In fact, I’m going to a meet and great event tonight in SF hosting by the good people from Layer as a pre-party to the ARworkshop this weekend.  Should make for an interesting conversation.