When the real world is enhanced with virtual images or objects it is referred to as Augmented Reality. Augmented reality is an interactive experience where virtual components are dynamically merged into a live video stream in real time. Think: a virtual new concept car in the palm of your hand or a magic mirror where you can see yourself wearing as many pair of glasses you want without ever having to try them on.
Taking this to the mobile space…
Total Immersion’s Augmented Reality solution embedded in UMPC and used by Paul Otellini (CEO of Intel) during CES show in Las Vegas January 2008.
Microsoft’s Craig Mundie has dismissed the potential of “synthetic virtual worlds” like Second Life, saying that the potential for immersive environments will be likely realized through 3D tools that capture and model the real world.
Another location-based visual technology demonstrated by Mundie had a lot in common with the “augmented reality” vision that Ray Kurzweil and other futurists have described. He showed how a Sony hand-held computer could display live video overlaid with information about shops and other addresses in the field of view. Mundie predicted that the required processing power for such an application would be available in mobile phones within two years.
Sekai Camera, a camera system that aims to merge the virtual and real worlds by using a digital device as a viewfinder.
The idea of the is to link tags created by Sekai Camera users and others to items in the real world, using the global positioning system (GPS) location abilities of the iPhone. In the above video Tonchidot CEO Takahito Iguchi shows the application working as a user strolled through a mall. On the iPhone’s screen pops up the sale price of products in the mall and details about the restaurants.
This application might be the future as we’ve always imagined it, but until it arrives, it’s impossible to know if it will ever dominate the present.
A short clip of investigative journalist Greg Palast speaking at the Bowery Poetry Club, NYC. There was a panel of guests / victims from other countries there to share their stories on the horrific crimes of the multinational Barrick Gold Mine Corp. Pretty riveting stuff I must say! The Bush crime family strikes again….
I’ve been keeping up with Palast as much as possible after reading his highly acclaimed book, Armed Madhouse. Highly recommended
“The greatest investigative journalist in America.”
—ALAN CHARTOCK, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
“The type of investigative reporter you don’t see anymore—a cross between Sam Spade and Sherlock Holmes.”
—JIM HIGHTOWER
Everyone probably saw excerpts of this in the Nike Basketball commercials currently being shown for Beijing games but the actual footage from the 1983 All Star NBA game gives me goose bumps. It is crazy the juice Nike has in being able to get usage rights for stuff like this. And what up with Sly and Robbie, digi-dub sounding rhythm section?
Randall shared this documentary trailer with us this morning on one of my favorite New York artists. I’ve heard great things about it and can’t wait to see it.
