I've been hearing about "augmented reality" lately and as it's relatively new to me, I was wondering what everyone else thinks about it? If you haven't heard of it already, I'll try to give a very broad idea... Pictures like the one above are starting to show up in random places: on bottles, store fronts, magazines, and anywhere else it can be accessible. It works by using a webcam, commonly with an iphone, blackberry, whatever smartphone that can access the internet; you just put the cam over the picture and it plays an ad with visual effects, sometimes sound. Again, this is just the very "general" use of augmented reality; it will be used in applications, maps, and God knows what. So what does everyone think about the implications? Ad-overkill? Pointless? Genius? The thing that has me wondering is the plausibility that maybe a few years from now it will be next to impossible to keep up or even remain a part of mainstream society unless you can afford a fucking smart phone. Pessimism aside, I see a lot of potential uses that will benefit the average consumer.
Augmented reality is a term in common use with a specific definition relating to computer and smart applications.
^ I've heard it before, but it's never made any sense to me. Wikipedia: Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are augmented by virtual computer-generated sensory input such as sound or graphics. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. Aren't maps and compasses technically augmented reality? This is just silly. It's just technological advancement, same as it always was. To me, it would only be augmented reality if it was a fundamental and permanent change to the person's perception. Say, through bio-mechanical applications (can't fucking wait, personally), or other cognitive/perceptive enhancement. Even psychotropic medicines/drugs are a better example of actual augmented reality; but due to their temporal state are more of disrupted reality..
In meaningful content it is the same but technically it is a term coming into usage around computer processing. And every new technology comes with it's specialized vocabulary. I agree with you in regarding the definition of the word "augmented", but as it is, it is a descriptor of a specific group of technologies.
Yeah, I agree it's a bit of a misnomer. And yes, it's been around for decades. It's just recently been under development and used in more interesting situations. I think it's cool for say, if you're an independent artist, you can use it to provide a sample of the music, or background of the artist. For online clothes shops, you might be able to "virtually" try items on. I'm curious if it might be used for something beyond simply consumption. I just realized this topic might've done better under "The Media" forum. Still new to this.
As for the OP's example... That's just a VERY cheap sort of marketing, I don't know what it's called but that sort of image is similar to a bar code, the one place I see them that springs to mind is on computer CPU's (not a tower, like stupid people think when they hear CPU, but the actual processor) So that's basically just using a call sign to see an ad on demand... very lazy of the company.... And you have to CHOOSE to see it. But as for reality integrating with tech, fine by me, as long as it's available to everyone, and not just those with the money, like in OP's example. I'm waiting to see better use of this sort of thing in graffiti than just the "zombies ahead" or "beware taxation" roadsigns....
I think the augmentation becomes more interesting when generalized to experience. The technology exists right now to preserve a very rich trail of breadcrumbs along you life path. For example, every website you visit, every email exchange, every image you capture, everything you do that can somehow be linked to the net, can be preserved as it happens. People usually have these Orwellian associations with this, but set aside practical issues of privacy and start from the premise that this could be perfectly secure. Wouldn't it be dandy, especially as our brains start to flail (some of us sooner than later, in my case)? My mind boggles and rolls right on. This is my cause celebre du jour (too much French for a non-speaker like moi - har), or at least an interesting thought experiment.
