Layar App Preview: Augmented Reality Browser

When it comes to location based marketing, the landscape is getting more complicated. And a lot more fun.

Check out Layar. It’s Augmented Reality software is positioned as the “Layar Reality Browser”

As more businesses join the location movement, a new level is being created – an augmented layer – in which additional information can be viewed in real time, all around you.

Put simply, the camera in your smart phone talks to the internal GPS device to find and display restaurants, bars and even people – anything that can be tagged online can be identified with this technology. (privacy squawkers will have a whole new bucket of complaints I’m sure.)

What’s the point? Much like other location based check-in software (Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, etc) businesses will have the opportunity to get creative with the information people can see – based on the layer they’re viewing. Special events, cross-promotional activity, tours, scavenger hunts…who knows?

I used this recently on an out of state trip to find a grocery store. I found it easier & faster than a text based browser search. And again, it was a lot more fun.

Other search option Layars include: (most free, some paid)

• Bars
• Food/Drink
• Local Search
• YouTube videos posted
• Weather
• Transportation finders
• Gowalla spots
• Crime spotters
• Ticket finders
• Walt Disney Tours

Here’s a screen shot showing the Layar local search of tweets within a 9 mile radius of me. Did I mention its fun?

And no, it doesn’t let you see inside someone’s house. And Yes, someone asked me that.

What type of uses can you imagine?