AroundMe iPhone app Augmented Reality
I downloaded an update for the AroundMe app the other day (along with about 7 other apps) and thought nothing of it, just the usual bug fixes etc. But when I came to use the app today, it flashed up a message saying “tilt sideways to activate Augmented Reality”. I had heard of AR before but hadn’t ever seen it in action. I have to admit I am very impressed.
It simply opens up the camera part of the iPhone, and displays on screen the choices (i.e. the different pubs) that are in the direction you are looking. They are displayed as a sort of sign, and there is a radar style map in the top left corner that makes you feel like you are in a video game! It takes advantage of the compass so you can always see which direction you need to go in.
Now I think this is a great idea, I can see that it is very useful especially directionally when you are in an unfamiliar place and it gives you a much more visual representation of where you are. That said, you will look like an absolute idiot if you use it in the street because you have to point it straight ahead which means holding it roughly at chest level away from your body. So you can’t discreetly look down at it while holding it close to you and pretending that you are changing a song or reading a text like you can do now to disguise the fact you have no idea where you are going and the only reason you will make it there is because of your iPhone. You have to hold your phone in front of you, turning in every direction until you find what you are looking for popping up on the screen. Using this app in public and you will be essentially screaming to the world “LOOK AT ME! I’M TOTALLY AND HOPELESSLY LOST……”………..what did we do for directions before iPhones?!?!