Comments on: An Augmented Reality Primer http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/ Whats with all the screaming? Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:40:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Joe http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-144049 Joe Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:55:22 +0000 http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-144049 Hah! Well it can be slimmer than that helmet already. The various sensors would all fit in the footprint of a USB thumb drive. The display will add some bulk to the glasses, certainly. Some space will also be taken up by the wearable computer itself, but that doesn't have to be on your head. We're a long way from the kind of universal adoption that cell phones currently enjoy. A period of 5-10 years where only early adopters even know this stuff exists needs to come first. Fortunately early adopters actually <b>like</b> looking like a borg. (Remember when bluetooth earpieces first came out and the few people who had them would where them <b>everywhere</b> for no good reason?) Hah! Well it can be slimmer than that helmet already. The various sensors would all fit in the footprint of a USB thumb drive. The display will add some bulk to the glasses, certainly. Some space will also be taken up by the wearable computer itself, but that doesn’t have to be on your head.

We’re a long way from the kind of universal adoption that cell phones currently enjoy. A period of 5-10 years where only early adopters even know this stuff exists needs to come first. Fortunately early adopters actually like looking like a borg. (Remember when bluetooth earpieces first came out and the few people who had them would where them everywhere for no good reason?)

]]> By: Wolfe http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-143840 Wolfe Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:20:14 +0000 http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-143840 I would imagine the problem of "getting lost" is a potentil motivator yeah, but until the technology is so awesomely slim that it basically works with something like "ordinary sunglasses" its not going to be seen on the streets. Unless you live in a warzone... Or could it? http://www.defense-update.com/events/2006/summary/eurosatory06-infantry.htm Without an extremely practical use it becomes a toy if it looks anything remoltely like that helmet. :P I would imagine the problem of “getting lost” is a potentil motivator yeah, but until the technology is so awesomely slim that it basically works with something like “ordinary sunglasses” its not going to be seen on the streets. Unless you live in a warzone… Or could it?

http://www.defense-update.com/events/2006/summary/eurosatory06-infantry.htm

Without an extremely practical use it becomes a toy if it looks anything remoltely like that helmet. :P

]]> By: Joe http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-143313 Joe Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:46:12 +0000 http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-143313 AR devices have to know where you are, pretty much by definition. All of the really interesting applications for AR derive from that knowledge. Of these, I think the biggest potential is in navigation. When I use my wife's Garmin and it tells me to turn right, I often think, "Wait, does it mean this right or that right?" If the path were drawn onto my view there would be no ambiguity (or need to hear the navigation system of the stereo.) I think it will be a very long time before AR replaces a desktop PC. I don't think it's nearly as far-fetched to think that some sort of head mounted display could supplement or replace the screen on a cell phone, though. In that case the screen can (appear to) be much bigger, and can tell you who is calling in a way that doesn't require you to fish your phone out of your pocket or annoy everyone around you with your ring tone. AR devices have to know where you are, pretty much by definition. All of the really interesting applications for AR derive from that knowledge. Of these, I think the biggest potential is in navigation. When I use my wife’s Garmin and it tells me to turn right, I often think, “Wait, does it mean this right or that right?” If the path were drawn onto my view there would be no ambiguity (or need to hear the navigation system of the stereo.)

I think it will be a very long time before AR replaces a desktop PC. I don’t think it’s nearly as far-fetched to think that some sort of head mounted display could supplement or replace the screen on a cell phone, though. In that case the screen can (appear to) be much bigger, and can tell you who is calling in a way that doesn’t require you to fish your phone out of your pocket or annoy everyone around you with your ring tone.

]]> By: Wolfe http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-143131 Wolfe Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:17:00 +0000 http://programmerjoe.com/2008/04/20/an-augmented-reality-primer/#comment-143131 What would the actual benefit be to the user? Will you be gaining a competative advantage in social or financial space with it? Obviously you do in militarry settings as it seems to be implemented already to some degree there. People are really hesitant to wear gadgets that arnt extremely useful. Like the "TV goggles" a friend of mine used for a little while. Rather practical for watching TV when others are around that you dont want to disturb, but even that is fairly boring and its a lot nicer to just watch a real tv in another room for several reasons. (I imagine this stuff will have a hard time doing a better job of being a a better personal computer than what the PC already is.) What would the actual benefit be to the user?

Will you be gaining a competative advantage in social or financial space with it? Obviously you do in militarry settings as it seems to be implemented already to some degree there.

People are really hesitant to wear gadgets that arnt extremely useful. Like the “TV goggles” a friend of mine used for a little while. Rather practical for watching TV when others are around that you dont want to disturb, but even that is fairly boring and its a lot nicer to just watch a real tv in another room for several reasons.

(I imagine this stuff will have a hard time doing a better job of being a a better personal computer than what the PC already is.)

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