metaio Opens Its junaio Augmented Reality Platform's API to Developers

metaio, a Munich-based augmented reality company which also maintains offices in San Francisco and Seoul, contacted [itvt] Tuesday to let us know that has opened the API of its junaio AR platform to developers, allowing them to use the new interface to build their own applications that interact with the platform. junaio, which launched in the Apple App store last month (see the article published on itvt.com, November 12th), allows users to place virtual content--including 3D objects, Twitter messages and links to Web sites--in real-world locations, where it can subsequently be discovered by other users. It also allows users to share their creations with friends through social networks, and allows users without iPhones to edit and share 3D augmented reality images via a companion online service.

According to metaio, junaio's new open API will include features that allow users to select multiple categories of information at once and see all results in a 360-degree view. For example, the company says, a user will be able to select multiple areas of interest--such as Japanese restaurants, manga stores or pictures posted by other junaio members--and see all the results in a single view. Unlike other AR applications, metaio claims, junaio will allow developers to use multiple information sources to develop their apps.

The company also says that the new API will allow users to interact directly with the resulting information. According to the company, the API will enable developers to 1) see how users interact with their programs and 2) react to user behavior by, for example, changing or adding content. For example, it says, a dinosaur-themed game could let users find an egg, click to open the egg, and follow resulting clues to enable the baby dino to find its parents. "Using the interaction features of junaio's API and 3D engine, cool AR games, interactive tour guides, and other applications can be easily implemented," metaio CTO, Peter Meier, said in a prepared statement. "External developers can benefit by linking their Web sites to junaio, and become accessible in the real world or promote their brands in new ways. By opening the API, we want to give the developer community the tools to create their own applications that can benefit the users. Whether it's allowing users to drop new, cool or functional objects, finding the history of a building, or plan scavenger hunts and other augmented reality games, the possibilities are endless."

The API specifications and information on using them are available at http://www.junaio.com. metaio says that the latest junaio client, featuring "multiple information display and user interactions," will be available to the public at the end of January.

In other augmented reality news: Japanese AR start-up, Tonchidot, said Tuesday that it has closed a $4 million Series A funding round (note: [itvt] believes that the only other AR platform to have secured venture capital backing to date is Layar, which recently announced that it had raised around $1 million). The round was led by new investor, DCM, with participation from existing investor, Itochu Technology Ventures (ITV). DCM's Osuke Honda will now join ITV's Tsuyoshi Ogawa on Tonchidot's board of directors.

Tonchidot's flagship offering, Sekai Camera--a social augmented reality service that allows users to browse and share user-generated text, photos, voice and other location-based information--is currently available only in Japan (it launched in the Apple App Store in September), but the company says that it is planning to offer it to a global audience, and that the funding will help accelerate its international expansion plans. "Tonchidot's Sekai Camera provides a completely new experience to mobile Internet users," DCM's Honda said in a prepared statement. "We believe that Augmented Reality represents a tremendous opportunity for investors, particularly as you look to a global platform. We have studied the AR market for some time now and believe Tonchidot's technology platform and business model to be the most compelling among competitors in the space. We look forward to working with Tonchidot as they bring this exciting new experience to mobile users worldwide." Added Tonchidot CEO, Takahito Iguchi: "We sought out an investment partner with true global capabilities and specific knowledge of and expertise in markets in the Pacific Rim and the US. DCM has already provided us with invaluable operational guidance and access to a global network of resources and we look forward to working with them going forward as we look to launch Tonchidot to a global scale."

(Note: Video of junaio is embedded above and video of Sekai Camera is embedded below.)