SPRXmobile announced last week that it has added 3D capabilities to its Layar augmented reality browser (note: for background on the Layar platform--which leverages smartphones' integrated GPS and compass capabilities to display layers of interactive digital information on top of real-time video on those phones' camera screens, thus effectively transforming reality into a giant, clickable interactive video--see the articles published on itvt.com, June 17th, July 9th and August 18th, and the interview with SPRXmobile co-founder, Maarten Lens-Fitzgerald, published July 16th). According to the company, the browser's new 3D capabilities mean that developers can tag real-life objects with 3D text, place 3D objects in real-world space, and create "multi-sensory" augmented reality experiences that are "more realistic and immersive."
The new 3D capabilities were unveiled at the Picnic Conference in Amsterdam last week: attendees could download a "Picnic" application from the Android Market that allowed them to view a 3D "virtual exhibition," featuring a flyby by a jumbo jet, a rocket launch, and immersion in an arcade game (all of which included sound effects). The app also tagged conference buildings with 3D text and placed 3D objects on the lawn of the facility where the conference took place, including windmills and "experience domes."
According to SPRXmobile, Layar 3D makes use of OpenGL and the accelerometer, the GPS and the compass of the user's smartphone. Developers can place 3D objects in their content layers based on coordinates, the company says, and objects can be optimized in size and orientation in order to create a realistic experience. In addition, SPRXmobile says, Layar 3D supports live downloading and rendering of 3D objects and allows actions such as "open link" or "play music" to be attached to those objects. SPRXmobile and "selected partners" will update their API's to support 3D objects for new and existing layers, the company says, and Layar 3D will launch commercially in November, concurrently with the launch of version 3.0 of the Layar Reality Browser for Android. "We are very excited to announce this groundbreaking addition to the platform," SPRXmobile CEO, Raimo van der Klein, said in a prepared statement. "Augmented Reality is an experience medium, not just a tool or a substitute for maps. With 3D we deliver these experiences. The platform currently facilitates over 500 developers who from November onwards will have endless possibilities to create rich 3D multi-sensory augmented reality experiences."
Examples of the Layar browser's new 3D capabilities can be seen in the screenshots and videos embedded above and below.
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The new 3D capabilities were unveiled at the Picnic Conference in Amsterdam last week: attendees could download a "Picnic" application from the Android Market that allowed them to view a 3D "virtual exhibition," featuring a flyby by a jumbo jet, a rocket launch, and immersion in an arcade game (all of which included sound effects). The app also tagged conference buildings with 3D text and placed 3D objects on the lawn of the facility where the conference took place, including windmills and "experience domes."
