Nokia’s Augmented Reality Vision: A Reality too Far?
Augmented Reality is very much the tech of the moment, and is slowly but surely being phased into mobile handsets across the board. Although the market is becoming quickly saturated with augmented reality applications and brand campaigns, as a functional utility it is proving fruitful. Layar is a current favourite of mine, but there are plenty of applications out there already.
However what for the future?
Augmented reality until 12 months ago was nothing but a sci fi nerds wet dream, but its rapid rise into the public eye has seen it employed by several big brands including BMW. Now, as the technology approaches the ‘peak of inflated expectations’, Nokia has released its view on its potential use as not only a utility, but enhancing the experience of the mobile handset.
Here is what Nokia have to say:
This concept allows to you to experience immersion and effortless navigation in an Augmented Reality environment. New types of interactions involving near-to-eye displays, gaze direction tracking, 3D audio, 3D video, gesture and touch. Through these new types of social linkages people will be connected in innovative ways between the physical and digital worlds.
For a start, its not ‘technically’ augmented reality. The term is defined 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. This simply overlays the contents of a mobile screen onto your current viewpoint.
It has its perks of further building on the concept of ‘hands free’, however surely current lessons learnt from hands free should show that its not a popular choice. The modern mobile user enjoys the interaction of the physical world, and I get the impression that much like mobile phone watches, this will never truly take off. Besides, how much kit is that to remember to put on first thing in the morning! This kind of technology will develop over time, and who knows, it may further transform the way we live, but in the mean time, lets send this back into Minority Report.
What are your thoughts? Would you use this technology? Leave a comment below!
Further Reading:
Posted by Carl