The Layar Reality Browser is an Augmented Reality app that is currently available for the iPhone and Android based phones. Layar works by using a combination of your cellphone camera, GPS and compass to identify your position and field of view. It then retrieves data based on your geographical position and overlays that data over your camera’s view. Confused? Think of it like this – all you have to do is start up your camera, point it down a road and points of interest, shops, train stations and other places will light up on your phone with details such as distance to the place, reviews and contact numbers.
You are able to download a number of layers that show up different types of data. Take Foursquare, a location based network as an example. All places that have been created on Foursquare will now be available for you to find via Augmented Reality on your phone!
Take a look at this video below to fully understand how Layar works.
Where to use Layar?
Where and how would Layar be useful to you?
So if you have an iPhone or Android based phone, install Layar and start exploring your city using Augmented Reality!
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nice post Jason.
I’ve had Layar for a while and Vesseltracker is one of my favourite layers. Cool way to see what interesting ships are in Cape Town harbour at any time.
An interesting development in AR LBS is that Layar have just announced paid layers > http://site.layar.com/paid-layer-launching-partners/
I wonder if we’ll see any of these launch publishers bring out a paid layer of SA in time for ‘you know what’?
I definitely need to check out Vesseltracker!
Great to see they have some form of a business model by creating paid layers. It will be interesting to see how well they do and also how useful these paid layers will be.
Shot for the info!
Great post, we are actually the official layar development partner for South Africa and did release a paid layer for the period of the World Cup, unfortunately the user base is currently small (but growing).
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You can certainly see the marketing, advertising and sales potential of certain layers for tourism, the arts, retail, sports, leisure and hospitality are just some that immediately spring to mind. I could see a layer where retail stores are flagged linked to discount codes or other promotions, although it would be important not to over do these. I guess the consumer could limit what they want the layer to display i.e. with or without offers.