From iBoobs to augmented reality
Got sent the Charlie Brooker (guardian) article on the augmented reality of our future and followed another link to the Mercedes Bunz’s ‘seven things you need to know about augmented reality’. Some of the 7 look interesting, particularly No.6.
That said, some of the apps available now or soon sound about as appealing as the other apps available on iPhones— like glorified ClipArt. In fairness, I haven’t owned a Smart phone since 2007 and don’t own an iPhone now. Perhaps if I did I would have a different opinion on the whole thing.
Here is a video posted in March 2007 predicting the release of augmented reality products to the mass market in 2008…
Although AR hasn’t quite hit the general market yet, there are certainly some appealing applications— and not just for lazy parents and educational purposes. The ‘tour guide’ feature is definitely of interest for anyone travelling for pleasure or business. The AR can tell you what ratings different restaurants and hotel have had, which route to take to get there —or anywhere— and where to park. Pretty useful, but until the omnipotent ‘they’ figure out a way to hardwire our optic nerves to overlay such a display, we’ll probably have to wear ungainly goggles to experience it. Until the advent of such tech, have a read of the following superb books that offer a taste of what could be to come technologically (and socially, but that’s another blog).
Neuromancer – William Gibson
Snow Crash – Neal Stephenson
The Revelation Space series – Alastair Reynolds
Accelerando – Charles Stross
Diamond Age – Neal Stephenson
Pattern Recognition – William Gibson
The Third Word :):- 
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