Katie MarsaliPhone 3.1 needed for augmented reality
iPhone developers and users excited by the prospect of augmented reality apps, which overlay information and controls on top of real-world objects seen through a camera, have been told to sit tight until the next release of the iPhone OS exits beta.
Although iPhone 3.1 has so far only been known to expose some video camera controls for developers, third-party producer Acrossair was told by Apple that the future release would be needed for its Nearest Tube and future Nearest Subway apps to work properly.
The apps are already highly dependent on the built-in compass and autofocusing camera of the iPhone 3GS, both of which are needed to alternately recognize the direction the iPhone is facing as well as to get a detailed enough look at a subject to tag it with information. As a demonstration of the technology, Acrossair's software can show the subway stops visible in a particular direction and their distance relative to the user.
Unofficially, iPhone 3.1 is anticipated to be ready by early September, just in time for Apple's by now yearly iPod updates and the seemingly probable release of an iPod touch with a camera that could take advantage of augmented reality when using Wi-Fi.
Snow Leopard 10A421
Mac developers have also been addressed on Friday with the seeding of Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10A421, according to those aware of the new beta release.
The update comes just ten days after 10A411 and is said by people familiar with the changes to be very modest on the surface, including general compatibility, security and stability fixes.
Apple's increased frequency in providing updated Snow Leopard builds is expected with just weeks left before the revision is due to reach stores, as the company will now be looking to isolate and fix the remaining obvious bugs instead of changing functionality.
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10.6 could be just five weeks away, but it could also be nine weeks away, with Apple's penchant of waiting until the end of the month.
Apple promises that its upcoming iPhone 3.1 release will be the first to officially support augmented reality apps that support the iPhone 3GS' camera. Also, a new seed of Mac OS X Snow Leopard has been handed to developers.
iPhone 3.1 needed for augmented reality
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To call it augmented reality is clearly an overstatement. The app tells you where you are at and where the location you're looking for is.
It's not doesn't even come close to Longitude which is a native app on every other Blackberry and Android. Apple is doing a disservice to its user by not allowing Longitude to be Native.
Everything in the demo is a clear rip off of Google Latitude.
The only problem is with Latitude you have to exit the App (because it's in Safari) to use the full features.
The iPhone doesn't multi-task (except for what Apple says it can). That is it's biggest downfall right now.
Multi-Tasking has been around for 10 years on the mobile platform.
This a a cheap substitution which keeps you in Apple's Closed Platform.
Look up Google Wave and be impressed with HTML 5.
Apple likely won't allow this on the iPhone either. This is the future. Apple's augmented app is a rip off.
To call it augmented reality is clearly an overstatement. The app tells you where you are at and where the location you're looking for is.
It's not doesn't even come close to Longitude which is a native app on every other Blackberry and Android. Apple is doing a disservice to its user by not allowing Longitude to be Native....
The video clearly shows augmented reality in the app in the classic sense of the term.
I can't even find a listing for an app called "longitude" on Blackberry or Android. If you mean "latitude" that's a mapping application, and not augmented reality at all AFAIK.
To call it augmented reality is clearly an overstatement. The app tells you where you are at and where the location you're looking for is.
It's not doesn't even come close to Longitude which is a native app on every other Blackberry and Android. Apple is doing a disservice to its user by not allowing Longitude to be Native.
Everything in the demo is a clear rip off of Google Latitude.
The only problem is with Latitude you have to exit the App (because it's in Safari) to use the full features.
The iPhone doesn't multi-task (except for what Apple says it can). That is it's biggest downfall right now.
Multi-Tasking has been around for 10 years on the mobile platform.
This a a cheap substitution which keeps you in Apple's Closed Platform.
Look up Google Wave and be impressed with HTML 5.
Apple likely won't allow this on the iPhone either. This is the future. Apple's augmented app is a rip off.
Too many drinks on Friday night??? Got your "Longitude" and "Latitude" all mixed dude. Be careful or you might end up in a different part of this world.
The video clearly shows augmented reality in the app in the classic sense of the term.
I can't even find a listing for an app called "longitude" on Blackberry or Android. If you mean "latitude" that's a mapping application, and not augmented reality at all AFAIK.
Augmented is a stretch at the most.
You're correct it's Latitude.
http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html
And here is Google Wave.
http://wave.google.com/
Real time collaboration and Social Networking. Now combine that with Latitude and do as Google has and make it open resource for new functions and you now have the "beginnings" of augmented.
Apple is way behind the curve because they control everything. Including what I can put on my phone and view with Safari with their lack of support for Flash.
It's curious that Blackberry has use of this and the iPhone users don't even know about it.
You people really need to do more research than what Fart app is coming next to the iPhone.