Layar 3.0 reunites the Beatles in 3D augmented reality

December 3, 2009 · Print This Article

Layar’s approach to bringing augmented reality to the masses is strange. Instead of writing isolated AR apps, Layar provides a very real augmented reality platform onto which composition owners can layer (or layar) their info resulting in a richer experience when viewing the world through your Android or iPhone 3GS camera lens. There are already 294 layers and counting ranging from Google’s ubiquitous local search results to homegrown composition listing apartments for rent or tourist hot spots. Today sees the launch of Layar 3.0 with new 3D capabilities, authentication, and plenty more to entice anyone “with basic web development skills” to join the fun. To show the platform’s new capabilities Layar presents a handful of use cases that include the ability to add authenticated social media layars (like Twitter and Foursquare), see incomplete construction sites in their final

scheme, interactive public-space art projects, and a guided Beatles discovery tour that takes you to destinations made famous by the fab foursome — you can even pose with the band for pictures as they cross Abbey Road. certain, the jury’s still out on the usefulness of 3D composition presented in that manner and the ability to geolocate Twitter users and Hollywood stars in that manner continues to creep us out. But man is that stuff interesting.

Gallery: Layar 3.0 3D samples