The ‘Nederlands Architecuurinstituut’ or NAi [transl: Dutch Architecture Institute] faces the possibilities of Augmented Reality head on. Earlier this year they showcased SARA (urban augmented reality application) and now they stepped their game up with UAR¹ (pronounced “you are”). UAR² gives us the possibility to experience alternate realities of Rotterdam: What has been, what will be and what might have been the architectural appearance of the city? Just pick up your (smart)phone, look through the camera and see buildings of the past or future in 3D in scale at their location.

Right now we can experience Rotterdam through Layar. Later on this year several other dutch cities will be added, including Amsterdam. I can’t wait!

Tags: Applicatie by MD
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As ‘mayor’ of ‘De Digitale Stad’ (the ‘Digital City’; DDS) in Amsterdam, Marleen Stikker developed the first free gateway and virtual community on the internet in 1994.

In the same year as the DDS opened, she founded Waag Society: aa medialab developing creative technological applications for societal innovation. Amongst others, Waag Society creates mobile citygames for the youth, develops storytables for the elderly and researches the possibilities for networked performances. Marleen was also at the basis of many organisation, including the Media Guild,PICNIC, and IT Innovation Platform Creative Industries.

Marleen Stikker studied Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam. Earlier she started the theatre magazine Alligator, the newspaper Daily Alligator, was director of media-performance festival Zomerfestijn, and chief editor of Live Magazine at De Balie.

On a sunny afternoon I got the chance to interview Marleen in her peaceful backyard in the heart of Amsterdam.

[Read more →]

Tags: interviews by MD
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In the interview with Claire Boonstra from Layar the idea of Augmented Reality glasses or even contact-lenses was proposed as a certain future. According to Claire the question is not whether we will see immersive AR vision, the question is how soon. It seems she might be right.

While we might still have to wait a little for the contact-lenses, Gizmodo shows us some stuff from ARE 2010, the big Augmented Reality Event in the U.S. where Tanagram Partners showed the world their army Goggles. This is just one example (using transparent OLED screens, pricy stuff) but my guess is we will start seeing alternatives that target the consumermarket soon. By the way, Tanagram Partners have announced that the iPhone version of their product will be ready in 2011. Consumer war supplies? Only in America.

Tags: Technology, visions by MD
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