When reality isn't enough - augment it

Developers are already harnessing a semi-new technology called "augmented reality", and when you think about it, the possibilities presented by this are truly mind-boggling.

For those new to the subject, augmented reality is basically digital information displayed over what you are seeing in real life, either by projecting on to an object, delivering the information through a headset or overlaying the information on a video camera image, such as the camera on an iPhone.

Current augmented reality applications on iPhones and Google Android systems allow you to "see through" your device and receive help with navigation, tipoffs about your surroundings such as restaurants nearby, information on landmarks and much more.

But it's not all eateries and museums. Businesses are starting to catch on to the trend and are looking into using AR to aid product sales, show clients products in 3D, speed repair and service times, provide entertainment and extra content, or just get a little nerdy.

I'm imagining a headset in the near future with a transparent display covering one eye, a camera and a microphone. The device is able to see and hear what you're experiencing, compute the data, find extra information and present it to you via the eyepiece and earphone quickly.

It's amazing how quickly science fiction has turned in to science fact - and how it will probably continue to do so exponentially.

These are just some of the things I reckon this technology could potentially lead to:

1. You're walking down a street and a powerful Mustang drives past. Your headset immediately shows you the make, model, year and maximum horsepower. You swoon.

2. You enter your interests, hobbies, age etc into the device, and go to a bar in search of love. Your headset gives information on the proximity of people who are likely to be compatible with you, and points you in the right direction. I have to admit, this one is kind of creepy, and sure takes the romance out of it.

3. You're sitting in a park, eating your lunch on a sunny day. A bird lands in a tree above you and starts to tweet (or re-tweet). Your headset tells you what type of bird it is, displays photos and maybe even offers to record that sweet song for later playback.

4. You're in a pub, deciding which drink to buy. As you look over the various beers on tap, you can read reviews by other patrons and information on the company and beer, such as type, alcohol percentage and awards it may have won.

5. You're lost in a big city. You look upwards and enter a command and the view on your headset shoots up to skyscraper level, allowing you to look around and down on your position and get a better view, or fly around virtually and get your bearings.

And here's a (crude) mock-up of how it might look in practice:

So now you've heard my ideas, I want to open up the forum for yours. What sort of information would you like to see in front of you in everyday life? Seen a cool augmented reality application? Tell us about it!

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