Augmented reality has quickly become the next big thing in the tech world. Everyone is writing about, talking about it or making videos about it. The technology is super cool (for lack of better words) and has a vast amount of practical applications.
Mark Gibbs of ComputerWorld defines Augmented Reality as “the technique of inserting virtual objects into real-time video to create the illusion that the virtual objects are part of the scene. To do this requires analyzing the video to determine the geometry of the scene, warping and modifying the virtual object (or objects) to conform to the scene’s perspective and other attributes, and then rendering the virtual object(s) in their required positions on the display.”
Augmented Reality is such an interesting concept and is best understood through video (check this out, originally posted on Jermiah Owyang’s blog, Web Strategies). Take a look at the video and imagine what that could be like; it’s impressive. Having that level of information at your finger tips is amazing and opens up a whole new world of experiences including a few questionable side effect, like the chances of having your phone stolen right out of your hands. I’m a little jaded by the recent iPhone thefts that have occurred in my home town, San Francisco.
After the “cool” effect wears off, I’m curious what the reality will be about the security of augmented reality. With your phone knowing every move you make and even which direction you’re facing, what will need to be done in order to keep that information private? Those who know me well know thats security is one of the first topics that I ask about when a new technology emerges. Location-based applications still make me a little nervous because of the security side of that conversation.
Although a hot topic, the reality of augmented reality is that it’s a ways down the road before it becomes the standard. I’m curious to see where the conversation about the security of augmented reality will lead and what types of privacy solutions will be available.
Image courtesy of http://www.markstechnologynews.com