Comments on: If Augmented Reality is the solution, what is the problem?

By: Darkflame

Darkflame — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:26:31 +0000

I actualy think one possibility is we might go back to a more pen-like interface, using either special stylus’s or any ordinary pen that the camera can pick up with some object recognition.
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As for AR in general, I see it as the next evolution of the multi-function tool. (and wrist watchs were very much a step along that journey).

A computer, after all, is a meta-tool. A tool that can become dozens of other tools as and when we choose.
AR is a massive extension of this. AR can do everything a computer can do…only it can do it everywhere, and give put it in a real-world context too.

I suspect we haven’t fully grasped the implications of this.
But given the inevitable AR-versions of websites like “Instructables”, I think the abilitys of the average human to do stuff is again suddenly going to increase’s hugely.

Just like when the first caveman learnt to tie a sharp rock to a stick.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:08:00 +0000

A wrist watch is pretty much exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about. Back when I still wore one I had constant access to the time and date. Now I have to haul a phone out of my pocket to even get those. It might take more space than a wristwatch occupied to display all the different kinds of location aware data that I’d like to see, but it’s a start.

One input option that comes up a lot are those laser-projected keyboards. The problem with them is that you often don’t have a flat surface to project a keyboard onto when you’re out and about. Flexible keyboards have the same problem.

By: rouli

rouli — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:42:25 +0000

When I think about ambient knowledge, I’m reminded of a certain accessory that was somewhat abandoned in the last 10 years due to the prevalence of mobile phones.
I’m talking about the wrist watch. Though it’s far from AR, I can imagine it could be the perfect display for ambient data, such as when the next bus is coming. Let it talk with the cellphone in your pocket (or with your laptop) via bluetooth, and program it display, as a function of a certain location/time the information that interests you. Checking for the next bus will be as easy as checking the time, and it’s more feasible than going around with an HUD these days.

One thing that HUDs are good for is the input problem, since they can provide you with virtual keyboards. However, I don’t think anything can beat up the plain old keyboard, especially for our generation that grew accustomed to it.

By: Jacob Chapel

Jacob Chapel — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:16:41 +0000

I have been intrigued by what is possible with AR and am enthralled by your post. You really go over many of the hurdles we face today and what AR would provide (or will hopefully provide) once it’s available.

The visuals are being developed, the location awareness is being developed, but what really needs some thought and work are input methods like you detailed and a sort of decision awareness. I don’t know how to solve the input problems while keeping what you are doing private. The decision awareness would be more predictive based on actions and could be programmed.

I cannot wait for the day that I can walk around unobtrusively computing like I would at home on my own computer with little to nothing hindering my enjoyment or work.