Android-Only No More! Layar Hits The App Store
October 15, 2009
Augmented reality apps are really starting to catch on with iPhone users. It all started with Yelp, the first to secretly slip augmented reality functionality into an app, and then many others followed in their wake as soon as iPhone OS 3.1 was released, including game developers. But back in mid-August we discovered that Android's most popular and most effective augmented reality browser, Layar, would be coming to the iPhone 3GS. Since we are not overly fond of allowing other competing platform's users to have all of the fun, we have been waiting not-so-patiently for Layar's release in the App Store. Well folks, that day has finally arrived.
If you are not overly familiar with the concept quite yet, augmented reality apps, such as Layar Reality Browser, basically place a digital layer of information over the top of a real-life view of the world around you. The digital layer displays information regarding your topic of choice and gives you a visual representation of its location even as you spin your device. The best thing about Layar Reality Browser is that it does all of this with a wide variety of information and services.
Layar Reality Browser acts just like its name suggests, a browser. The app contains tons of different third-party layers that can display all sorts of information, including local restaurants, homes for sale, tourist information, Twitter users, and basically anything else you can imagine. The app allows you to search for different types of layers, or you can just browse through the most popular or featured layers. Once you have found the ones you like, you can set them as favorites for easy access. All of the layers can be modified to show items within a certain distance or you can further narrow down your searches.
It's surprisingly easy to use and a lot of fun. The only problem is that you kind of look silly holding your iPhone up in air and spinning around in the middle of a city.
Layar Reality Browser is available in the App Store immediately free of charge, but the downside is that it only effective on the iPhone 3GS because it requires a built-in compass. Maybe it's time to upgrade to the iPhone 3GS after all?
[Thanks to garethjs for the tip!]
