Augmented Reality iPhone Apps

With a launch of new breed of cell phones, popularly known as smart phones, like Apple iPhone, a platform was automatically created for the launch of next generation augmented reality (AR) applications. AR in the context of smart phones is a layer of digital data superimposed over real world data. Augmented reality apps give you more information about the 'reality' that you capture through the aperture of your Apple iPhone. Adding these apps can turn your Apple iPhone into a truly 'smart phone'.

10 Best Augmented Reality iPhone Apps

The idea guiding these apps is to utilize the advanced image processing and multitasking capabilities provided in the iPhone, to enhance its usability as more than just a phone. Though augmented reality technology is still in a nascent stage, these smart iPhone apps give us a small preview of what it can offer. Some of these are paid, while some are free. Most are available at Apple's iPhone store website.

WorkSnug
An augmented reality iPhone application- 'WorkSnug', developed by Plantronics, is designed to guide people to places around the city where they can sit and work or hang out. It provides information as a digital overlay over real image and provides information about Wi-Fi connectivity, power connectivity, noise levels and even information about quality of coffee served at a place. All you do is simply point your iPhone camera at a location and it serves all the information about the place as a graphic overlay. It also points out nearby places to the location you are. Currently it is operational in only select cities around the world including Paris, New York, Berlin, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Brighton, Leiden, Hague, Madrid and San Francisco.

Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy
You can turn your Apple iPhone into a sky guide with the pocket universe application. It provides you with latest information about sky objects like planets, stars and meteor showers according to the time of the day and your location. It is a great application to have for astronomy enthusiasts.

AugMeasure
AugMeasure is an augmented reality iPhone application that roughly measures short distances for you, using a graphic overlay of centimeter or inch measure. You can make a rough estimate of measurements up to 30 cm. A handy application to have in case you are shopping and need to make some measurements.

DishPointer
If you are a satellite dish installer, DishPointer is an application dedicated to you which will help you in locating the nearest satellites in the sky. All you have to do is point at the sky patch in front of you and the application will 'augment reality' for you and display a graphic overlay of satellite locations and orbits.

Le Bar Guide
Le Bar guide is an iPhone application that can point to the nearest bars for you and provide information about them as you point your iPhone around capturing these locations. Nice application to have in your iPhone in case you are in the mood for a drink and need directions!

Theodolite
This application provides you with the virtual equivalent of a theodolite view through your iPhone, functioning as a compass and inclinometer. It provides live data about your current latitude and longitude, as well as elevation. It is a cool iPhone application for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts!

Layar
Layar is one of the most amazing iPhone apps ever. Layar captures the view from your iPhone and using information about your location through GPS coordinates, displays a graphic overlay of information about places around you!

Bionic Eye
The Bionic Eye iPhone application provides information about any location, that you point your iPhone at. It provides information about local points of interest and guides you to them.

Panoramascope
This application makes a graphic overlay of topographical details over the iPhone camera view, using actual data from NASA. Seriously cool and useful application to have for trekking enthusiasts.

SnapShop Showroom
Visualize a piece of furniture using augmented reality based graphic overlays over actual home view seen through the iPhone camera. You can actually (virtually) see how a piece of furniture will look in your living room using this application.

Hope you have been tempted enough to install some of these 10 amazing augmented reality apps on your iPhone. All these can be downloaded using Apple iTunes. Try them out just for the fun of it!