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Augmented reality browsers are a new kind of internet-mediated browsers for smartphones. Through such browser the mobile real-time camera view is over-layered with ‘meta information', on top of the normal camera view. This added ‘meta-data’ data is requested online from a special service internet source. Tourism operators can provide such augmented reality services for their particular touristic objects within the local context, either from their own web portals/servers or as linked services to special service repositories (an example of such repository is provided below).
By
holding the phone in front of them like a normal camera, tourists can see now not
only building related information on top of reality, but also, e.g.,
the nearest architectural sites and special point of interest. Depending on the
services adopted by the tourism operator, it will even be possible to display the
actual architectural events and highlighted features in the direction in which
the camera is pointed and the scenario viewed through the smartphone's screen.
For more complex functionalities the supported devices not only need to have a camera, GPS sensor and internet connectivity, they furthermore need a compass or an accelerometer. For this reason the older smartphones (including iPhone 2G/3G) are incompatible to such more advanced services. In order to utilise augmented reality applications in smartphones, an augmented reality browser has to be downloaded into it.
Junaio, Layar and Wikitude are examples of such browsers. Users of the augmented services should first download one of these Apps, e.g., at the Android Market or from iTunes, and thereafter select the augmented service server. Afterwards it is possible for them to enjoy an Architecture Enriched Reality from their mobile devices.
Junaio and Layar is available for Android devices and the iPhone 3GS. Wikitude additionally offers a version for some Symbian driven devices (Nokia N97 etc) at OVI store. Furthermore, Wikitude is compatible with the older iPhone 3G (with reduced AR functionality).
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The Junaio augmented reality application is both a popular and powerful application software that can be used to create innovative architectual and archeological tourism service solutions also in a rural context. For more info see www.junaio.com. |
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Layaris is an agumented reality application.There are also some special features of the Layar augmented reality browser such as displaying perspective maps. Furthermore, it's possible to display surrounding buildings in 3D, and, last but not least, it can include real-time pedestrian routing to local architecture POIs (point of information). Download it from www.Layar.com or view a video at ArchInform. |
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The WikiTude supports a wide range of devices such as any Android Device with OS version between 1.6 and 2.3 with normal or high-resolution screen, iPhone 3GS, iPhone4, iPad/iPad 2, iPod Touch 3G/4G, BlackBerry, Bold 9900 (often pre-installed). More info and downloading options from www.wikitude.com. |
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The ArchInform services is an example of an international online repository for tourism information, containing information on both architectural and archeological tourism services. It is an example of online tourism services that have adopted new service approaches possible through augmented reality. See more info, hints and examples at www.archInform.com. |
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1.3.2. GSM-based Route Maps and Geographically-located Information Spots | 2. Sites of Historical Interest |
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