Understanding Google My Business & Local Search
Local and Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (via Greg Sterling) is moving from the area of research and into reality. Layar is releasing an augmented reality browser. From their web site:
The World’s First Augmented Reality Browser. Layar is a free application on your mobile phone which shows you what is around you by displaying real time digital information on top of reality though the camera of the mobile phone.
Layar will be available for the T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic and other Android phones in Android Market before July 1st 2009.
How do you use Layar?
By holding the phone in front of you like a camera information is displayed on top of the camera display view.
For all points of interest which are displayed on the screen, information is shown at the bottom of the screen.
This is the ultimate “local” technology as reality and the interface are intimately tied together. As Greg points out this type of system needs the data to provide value and in some arenas that may be a ways off. But it is not hard to imagine it working now with Trulia type information or Google’s business listings in a real time Streetview type environment. To get an idea of how this will play out on your mobile computer (ie your phone) watch this video.
© Copyright 2024 - MIKE BLUMENTHAL, ALL RIGHT RESERVED.
Comments
4 Comments
From the ad, it looks like a real estate application? Is it more than that, Mike? It looked like one of the last screens on the phone was saying Find Something in Dutch…though I don’t read Dutch, sadly.
The idea is that you can create “layers”. Each layer would be contextual information for your map. You could have one layer that shows rental appts, another layer that shows property for sale, a third layer that provides reviews of restaurants when you point the phone at it, a fourth layer that could show you sales at a given store or their phone number or their website. It could then provide link from the real time view over to the website….the opportunities are endless pending the availability of data.
At launch, they will have Netherlands data only from the following:
* funda, realty site, providing information for a layer with houses for sale and rent
* Hyves, social network, providing information for a layer with places to go out
* Tempo team, temp agency, providing information for a layer with avalaible jobs
* ING, Bank, providing information for a layer with all ATM’s
* Zekur.nl, Health insurer, providing information for a layer with participating healthcare providers
The idea is to merge all of the local information that is available and will be available….events, locations, reviews, sales, whatver and provide it in a contextually accessible way….
Thanks for the explanation. I wonder how popular this will be. Looks like a great deal of work went into creating it. Somehow, this reminds me of the zoo when I was little. You would walk by the animal exhibits and turn a key in a box that would then play a recording telling you all about the animal. Zookey.com. There’s an idea.
It is cool application indeed. thanks for the sharing.
Comments for this post are closed.