Pokémon GO was, without a doubt, the most resounding mobile game released in 2016. It has gained a lot of media attention, mostly because of the craze it has caused, getting lazy gamers out of their chairs and into nature, proving that smartphones are good for more than just reading the news, taking selfies, playing New Zealand pokies and stalking our friends on social networks.
The specialty press has spoken a lot of the game, too, as it was the second augmented reality game released by Niantic, a former Google internal startup, that has already made a name for itself with its successful title Ingress.
Pokémon GO was a game but it has managed to trigger a lot of talk about augmented reality itself, and its role in our everyday life that goes beyond gaming, capable of improving our quality of life in ways we never would’ve thought possible. Some of these ways are surprisingly fun, others have a real potential to change the way we work and collaborate.
Lampix
Lampix is a startup that wants to turn any flat surface into a screen. But not just any screen: one that you can interact with like in the case of a touchscreen. The product itself looks like a desk lamp but its rectangular shade hides more than just LEDs responsible for illumination: it has two cameras, an HD projector, and a computer hidden underneath. Thanks to this setup, Lampix can turn your desk into an interactive projection capable of scanning documents, recognizing objects, projecting images, and interacting remotely with co-workers or friends.
Through its API, Lampix offers developers the chance to build their own services – retailers will be able to offer their customers interactive price tags, restaurants will be able to project interactive menus right in front of their patrons… the possibilities are practically endless.
Inkhunter
On the fun side, take a look at Inkhunter, an augmented reality app allowing its users to try out tattoo designs on their skin before the needle would touch it. All they need to do is draw a symbol – resembling a smiley – on the area they want to test and point the app’s camera on it after choosing the design. The app will apply the design to the skin in real time, with users being capable of checking it from multiple viewpoints and perspectives and make up their minds. Inkhunter comes preloaded with a series of designs to choose from – some of them are free, others need to be unlocked by watching an ad.
Raptor
Many cyclists use computers to track their speed, calorie consumption, position, elevation, and other information. Yet constantly looking down on the screen can be a safety issue. Everysight’s Raptor AR glasses solve this issue, projecting all the necessary information, as well as maps and other useful thins right into the biker’s field of view. Once it is released (and this can happen any time now, judging by the testing videos posted to YouTube), Raptor will be an invaluable helper for hobby cyclista and professional athletes alike.
Thanks for reading this article. If you're new here, why don't you subscribe for regular updates via RSS feed or via email. You can also subscribe by following @techsling on Twitter or becoming our fan on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!