iPhone's augmented reality apps coming with September OS 3.1 launch?

Looking to enjoy all those fancy augmented reality apps on your iPhone, like for finding nearby stores or subway stops? Apparently what's standing in your way from enjoying a life more akin to "gargoyles" from Snow Crash is Apple's next update to its touchscreen devices, OS 3.1, and according to Nearest Tube developer Acrossair, that'll be arriving sometime in September. Something we heard whispered at the time of the beta 2 release. We wouldn't be surprised to see that release window fluctuate, but if that's our estimate, there's still plenty of time for someone to prep an AR zombie shooter.

[Thanks, Peter S]

[ScaryFast Posted Jul 28th 2009 4:07AM]

I want to buy this Ikea lamp. I wonder what it would look like in my livingroom. Pull up item, point iPod Touch around the room at various surfaces and the lamp appears there on the screen. I wish I was a programmer.

[animestar Posted Jul 25th 2009 3:56AM]

Brooklyn-in-da-houuuusssse

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2009 10:55PM]

*(I see it coming... these things will get so popular the it will get its own abbreviation... how about "AR Apps"?)

[Samurai Jack Posted Jul 24th 2009 11:45PM]

AR apps... hmm. No doubt a great boon to the pirate side in their eternal war with the ninjas.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2009 11:28PM]

someone better make a monster battling game using this

[stickybit Posted Jul 24th 2009 11:51PM]

SEPT ? Come on APPLE! My iPhone 3GS battery life SUCKS! Now I have to wait for another whole month plus to get better battery life with a 3.1 update? Hurry UP already. I'm being nice and not returning my iPhone to an apple store in hopes 3.1 will come out sooner and fix this GOD AWEFUL battery life in the 3GS. PLEASE HURRY UP APPLE! !

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 25th 2009 5:55AM]

I know it sounds ridiculous, but if possible have your iPhone connect to a different brand of router. That fixed the crazy overheating and seriously short battery life issue for me.

Report back with your results.

[bantam Posted Jul 25th 2009 9:47PM]

being nice? sounds like a hardware problem. From day one my 3GS has been running amazingly well. I can even say i see better battery life with push enabled compared to my old 3G.

Maybe you should take it back and get it replaced instead of complaining like you have no choices.



Also AR apps are a bit crazy... Cool to play with but realistically yeah they have no real world uses.

[Nismode Posted Jul 24th 2009 11:54PM]

Wow, that guy seems to be really close to where I live.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 25th 2009 12:50AM]

So I can see real life through a screen?! Can't wait.

[JONNNathannn Posted Jul 25th 2009 1:13AM]

So I can post comments without understanding what's going on in hopes of being funny?! Can't wait.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 25th 2009 3:03AM]

I understand what's going on. It's just another useless gimmick that Apple uses to feed their mindless consumers.

[unboring Posted Jul 27th 2009 12:59PM]

i dunno about you but i am waiting for AR to be built into my glasses / contacts and overlay my life with a digital world. This tech isnt an "apple gimick" its a massive leap in making AR accepted consumer tech. Kudos to them for making it real. (tho i think a company in norway did a less impressive version of this recently)

[G33K3d uP Posted Jul 25th 2009 12:59AM]

Can't wait to try this on my stolen iPhone 3G & 3GS!

[Yank in OZ Posted Jul 25th 2009 2:16AM]

BROOKLYN BABY !!!! BED STUY !!!! LOVE IT ENGADGET!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 25th 2009 2:58AM]

Can we stop making bs app like these? Pls

[W31RD0 Posted Jul 25th 2009 3:41AM]

You know what's going to happen right? Someone is gonna use this app for an OVER 9000 joke.

[airmanchairman Posted Jul 25th 2009 4:12AM]

Yay!

Point up at the night sky - AR will tell you which constellation is in view, or which satellite is in nearby orbit, or the weather, or overhead scheduled flights (according to what filter you may apply).

Point at a crowd, say at a concert, and read enthusiastic fans' Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and similar feeds (again, filter as appropriate) - get live 2D/3D directions to various performance stages at festivals, or vendor stalls at gadget expos, find friends, lovers, family (even trolling enemies) in crowds - Paul A Chapel, tread carefully in the future - c'mon, Engadgeteers, use your imagination and demand the Future right now!

[deinfinityx Posted Jul 25th 2009 6:14AM]

Actually if you search for TAT they have an augmented reality just like the one to view facebook, twitter and Myspace feeds. It uses facial recognition.

[unboring Posted Jul 27th 2009 1:06PM]

lol , finally someone gets it. These guys are really unimaginative, nice to see another real futurist around here ;) Im sure they're about, but the comments on this article suck, no one gets it.

[MikeW Posted Jul 25th 2009 10:52AM]

Bed Stuy, Do Or Die! Brooklyn, Baby!

[rorymarsh Posted Jul 25th 2009 11:05AM]

At a guess this is 3GS only? I can't see how it would know which way you were facing unless it used the compass for orientation? Or is it something altogether different and more powerful that actually know where you are without GPS/compass/accelerometer?

[niclet Posted Jul 25th 2009 2:45PM]

Can't wait to have glasses like that !!

[WhyFi Posted Jul 26th 2009 6:11PM]

I have a hard enough time getting a signal on my iPhone above ground in NYC, how is this supposed to work in the subway?

[unboring Posted Jul 27th 2009 1:11PM]

i dont think its in the subway, i think above ground and to show you where the stations are. Though you raise a good point, urban areas need better penetration. I'm in Toronto and the tall buildings mess with my signal a lot.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 27th 2009 11:33AM]

Even better point it at your girl... get bigger yams

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 2nd 2009 3:25AM]

this mail was upload to apple site and was removed after 30 min???
i take that beta deviceiphone 3g for 600 euro from july and still after updates and updates this toy is not working as a phone and is not relayble as must be a device in the market i wond my money back or repleace it with windows phone that is more relayble and trust in the market this is the last time that i have take something from apple and never again
best regards
pavlis stamatis
cyprus
0035799845222
ps
if the kids in apple dont now what is going globaly at least dont so up with something that is revolutionary that it is not and is a BETA DEVICE AND UNSTABLE OS