By 2020 almost 50 billion gadgets will be connected to the internet, which means for one person there will be six gadgets on an average. The new IP system ( version 6, if I am correct ) can support even greater number of addresses. With this number of internet enabled devices we are at the doorstep of a future which would leave nothing to our imagination, everything would be known to us, everyone would be connected to the cloud, every place would be reachable.
This is the background for the technology of augmented reality. Augmented reality in contrast with virtual reality doesn't messes up with the physical reality but in a way enhances it. An enhanced physical experience is best explained by the example of google glass, If you view the world through these glasses, they will tag important places, roads, bridges and inform you about the traffic stats of the given place. This is called augmented experience, Now have a look at the tools, techniques and applications associated with this tech.
Google glass
A first of its kind eyeware, google glass has features of internet, GPS, voice commands, camera which enables you to find your roads, see tagged places in front of you and click a photo by just saying 'click'. Currently available for developers only; it will soon be marketised for general public at an expected amount of $750, a high price it seems to me, but its a fair amount considering what we usually pay for the smartest of the smartphones.
Google has well considered to make this gadget lightweight, so its set in a frame that weighs even less than your normal glasses. Corrective lenses aren't used yet but google claims that its not a big deal here.
The Sixth Sense
A bit more futuristic, this technology is developed by engineers at TED. The Sixth sense uses inexpensive gadgets like a camera, a projector , a smartphone and some colored labels on your fingers.All this to make you capable of projecting the keypad on your hand and use it there only, project the details of a product say a book where ever you find it convenient and know everything about it beforehand. A rather revolutionary idea and at an affordable cost because all these things come in handy now-a-days.
Alive App:
Developed by The Times of India, this app enables you to link a news item to a video relating to the same. The exciting thing about this app is that unlike QR code it doesn't need markers for scanning. A simple picture will do that job.
Although virtual reality seems more familiar when we talk about games but AR gaming has its own fun.
This is the background for the technology of augmented reality. Augmented reality in contrast with virtual reality doesn't messes up with the physical reality but in a way enhances it. An enhanced physical experience is best explained by the example of google glass, If you view the world through these glasses, they will tag important places, roads, bridges and inform you about the traffic stats of the given place. This is called augmented experience, Now have a look at the tools, techniques and applications associated with this tech.
Augmented Reality: Gadgets and Technologies
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| google glass |
A first of its kind eyeware, google glass has features of internet, GPS, voice commands, camera which enables you to find your roads, see tagged places in front of you and click a photo by just saying 'click'. Currently available for developers only; it will soon be marketised for general public at an expected amount of $750, a high price it seems to me, but its a fair amount considering what we usually pay for the smartest of the smartphones.
Google has well considered to make this gadget lightweight, so its set in a frame that weighs even less than your normal glasses. Corrective lenses aren't used yet but google claims that its not a big deal here.
The Sixth Sense
Making Smartphones even smarter: AR mobile applications
The mobile world is already crammed up with AR applications,so make sure you are using one if you don't want to miss the pleasure of experiencing the future. Then there are these popular apps already in vogue:
QR code:
This is essentially a 2D bar code. But when you use your phone it connects you to the link on internet where you see a deciphered version of the message: sometimes a text, otherwise a media. There are easy tools available online for making your own QR codes and encode a message in it. So better try one and have fun.
QR code:
This is essentially a 2D bar code. But when you use your phone it connects you to the link on internet where you see a deciphered version of the message: sometimes a text, otherwise a media. There are easy tools available online for making your own QR codes and encode a message in it. So better try one and have fun.
Alive App:
Developed by The Times of India, this app enables you to link a news item to a video relating to the same. The exciting thing about this app is that unlike QR code it doesn't need markers for scanning. A simple picture will do that job.
Layar application:
Layar is a complete augmented realility world in itself. It has everything from linking news items to videos to games like AR pacman. It can function as a GPS and tag important places when you view a place through your camera. A perfect companion for your smartphone or an irresistable complement I would say
AR gaming :
Layar is a complete augmented realility world in itself. It has everything from linking news items to videos to games like AR pacman. It can function as a GPS and tag important places when you view a place through your camera. A perfect companion for your smartphone or an irresistable complement I would say
AR gaming :
Although virtual reality seems more familiar when we talk about games but AR gaming has its own fun.
Nintendo 3DS AR offers you a bunch of AR games that converts a decent looking table top to more or less a game station.
The Expected Future
The whole lot of happenings in this domain certainly project a picture of future dominated largely by internet connected device. Nothing would be left to imagination as anything could be instantly searched on google. AR would change the perception of everything ranging from lifestyle to work culture. Gaming and education would be far more interactive and our social life would change dramatically. I expect maybe a complete new world order, isn't it?
...But, What should we fear?
What brings fear to a conservative mind is the ability of humans to adapt to this new change. If we know everything about a person whom we are about to meet, would our perceptions not be preoccupied.
Would there be anything unexpected if we had excess to so much of information already. Will this technology take us away from nature and end us up in a robotized world where we are mere slaves of machines; or can this provide us with time that can be utilized better in harmonizing with nature.
Would there be anything unexpected if we had excess to so much of information already. Will this technology take us away from nature and end us up in a robotized world where we are mere slaves of machines; or can this provide us with time that can be utilized better in harmonizing with nature.
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