I’ve lost count of the number of times this year I’ve been blown away by some new form of technology. There’s been the iPhone, the iPad, the Love+ app for iPad & iPhone.
It happened again tonight: I’m watching a DVD with a friend. It’s set in England. There’s a scene filmed in the grounds of some huge house. My friend asks me, ‘What’s the name of the name of that house? I have no idea. But hang on, I can tell you.
Out comes the iPhone – I launch the Google app, and tap on the photo option for search (Google Goggles). I take a photo of the computer screen, the DVD having been paused on the image of the house.
Less than 2 seconds later Google has processed the image, and tells me that it’s Somerset House, London.
OMG. I really am living in the future.
N.b. Google Goggles doesn’t always get it right. I took a photo of myself and it came up with this match.
Google Goggles is very cool indeed. Lots of potential, and it will only get better with time! Apparently it’s supposed to be able to translate text, which could be very handy if they get it working well.
AcrossAir is another app that made me feel like I was in the future the first time I used it (the day I got my iPhone 4, which probably contributed a little to the feeling).
Text translation would be cool – very handy for visitors to Japan.
I love augmented reality apps – hadn’t tried AcrossAir before – just installed it. Pretty cool, although I prefer the interface on Layar – a bit more iPhone-like.
Like you say, lots of potential,. Feel I was born at just the right time!