Point and Look: The Future of Internet Search
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If you saw the movie Minority Report, with Tom Cruise, you undoubtedly remember the scenes when he used his hand to scroll through data on a floating holographic screen. As far fetched as that may have seemed at the time, computer technology may not be far off. The blog, petitinvention, looks at conceptual look at how we may interact with the world with technology. It’s referred to as augmented reality. Basically, it’s the combination of real-world and computer-generated data. If you’re a football fan, you see it at work every Sunday with the first down stripe you see going across the field. It’s a computer generated overlay based on the real world data of the field and down and distance.
In the example image, to get information about a building, a car model, a watch or anything else you can image just hold up your cell phone to the object and instantly get detailed specs, pricing and order the product. Imagine ordering a book from Amazon by waving your cell phone over the cover on a friend’s coffee table. It sure gives window shopping a whole new meaning.
It’s a while off, but one of those cool technologies to keep on the radar.
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August 23, 2008 pm31 8:11 am
Wow the possibilities are amazing. Price comparing would be so easy. You could go into a store see the product you wanted and get an instant price from another place. You could then negotiate at the store you are at or simply order it or go to the store that has the cheaper price. I wonder how it would impact the brick and mortar stores sales. Of course you wouldn’t have that instant gratification of buying and receiving your item right away and I think a lot of people do like that. This is very interesting though and I am anxious to see how it plays out.
August 23, 2008 pm31 9:07 am
WOW I’d sure love to have one of those. That is really convenient. I wonder if it would work on people? That’d be totally cool. Or rather, you’d be labeled as a stalker coming up to a random person and telling them their name.
August 23, 2008 pm31 3:48 pm
Intersting thought however I feel that it will cause problems in the future. Can you imagine people driving down the road trying to use one of these things? Folks can hardly use the phone or listen to XM radio while driving. Although technology is a great tool, sometimes I feel that it gets out of hand.
August 23, 2008 pm31 11:04 pm
I’m not surprised - I am sure it really will happen some day but it’s hard to imagine. I am the paranoid sort so my biggest fear would that it would be floating around in my purse and purchasing 50 tubes of my newest lipstick. No really, it would be amazing if it would also include GPS capabilities. I would love to be able to point it at a street sign and have it tell me where to go next!
August 24, 2008 pm31 2:49 am
Augmented reality can be achieved only when there is a sound GPS system. Imagine by just wearing a spectacle you get a view like Arnold in Terminator. Days are gone when you asked “hey can you tell me where this address is”. Look at a street, your spectacle gives you all the details you need. It’s fantastic!
August 24, 2008 pm31 5:50 am
Although the possibilities seems to be great, we still have to take care about the draw backs the system might bring. I mean, in order to be able to bring personalized service information you will have to be able to identify every user. So in the end you will have a profile on everyone who uses the system. And sorry, but I don´t trust that nobody will misuse the data. As soon as you will be brought to guantanamo just because you surfed the web searching for aircrafts and how to fly them, bought some suspect books on amazon and went to see some high-rise buildings somewhere downtown, you will remeber the Minority Report again.
August 24, 2008 pm31 10:11 am
This definably seems like an interesting concept that could easily be applied to cell phones and other high end pieces of technology. This could be used by a vast number of people to compare prices of certain products, access interesting facts, locate local businesses and interact socially with other people. The applications and possibility’s of something like this are virtually limitless.
August 24, 2008 pm31 10:50 am
I think its a good idea, technology is always changing, however this can potentially put lots of businesses out of business. Small business people as well as large chains will be a thing of the past as people walk up, and snap a “photo” with their phone and not only buy it from amazon but get it for wholesale from China… sad, very sad.
August 24, 2008 pm31 12:43 pm
The point and look system, I think would be a great way for people to do comparison shopping for sure. Or even for those history buffs, using it at the museum, grocery store. Maybe even design one for kids to use at the zoo?
Possibilities are endless for sure!!
Great idea!
August 24, 2008 pm31 2:02 pm
I love the idea of having all the information embedded in the Real World. Cant wait to see it coming.
August 24, 2008 pm31 2:30 pm
That sounds absolutely amazing… I just hope to be around when all these new technologies start showing up in a form that is actually usable. I think currently existing wireless networks might not be fast enough to provide the instant feedback that one would like to see. Aside from the lead time required to bring this to market this would definitely be a must have product.
August 25, 2008 pm31 11:13 am
Wow, that thing sounds really cool. Can’t wait to see something like that for real!! What an interesting new way to look at the world. We just need those flying cars already.
August 25, 2008 pm31 11:14 am
I love it. I think this totally appeals to my “inner nerd”. Can’t wait to one day use this technology, hopefully sooner rather than later. I wonder what is in the works right now in some labs out there.
August 25, 2008 pm31 12:43 pm
The scary thing is, this thing might actually come to fruition, in real life. It’s amazing what technology can go these days, but I must admit, it’s almost as though we’ve surpassed Star Trek at times. And I thought my GPS was cool!
August 25, 2008 pm31 12:52 pm
Wow, that’s amazing. I’d love to get my hands on something like this. Although, it’s kind of scary when the things we see in movies, and seem really far out at the time, become actual things.
August 25, 2008 pm31 12:57 pm
My goodness… How far we’ve gotten. This will definately be a cool and informative new gadget. Kids will be able to learn more in a fun way while out taking walks or trips with parents. Sales will increase. Man these things are going to be expensive!
August 25, 2008 pm31 5:12 pm
Definitely possible and a very interesting idea…But I don’t see it being a reality anytime soon. Our technology is being created for the information-now time we live in, and augmented reality is just the next step. One can only wonder how it will change the marketing world.
August 26, 2008 pm31 10:11 pm
I remember seeing that and actually not thinking the concept was all that impossible, really. That could be ridiculously handy for scouting out cars if you are in the market to buy one - you just see one you like in the parking lot and BOOM - you’ve got its specs.
August 27, 2008 pm31 6:48 am
This will really change the way world looks to us. And life will be so exciting with such technology. Information required shall flow to our landscape. Isn’t that cool.
August 28, 2008 pm31 12:03 am
I’m all for technological advancement, and I find this interesting. However, the problem I see here is that not only are consumers going to be paying for this device, but also will assume the expenses of modifications made to products as well. All those tiny little electronic chips cost money, and to implant one into each and every single book, will cause consumers to face higher retail prices.
If merchandise will have ability to be scanned, will this also act as an anti-theft tracking system. If someone breaks into my house, and steals my belongings, will the police be able to go recover them for me, since they are all chipped. Then, what about sales of items, such as on Ebay. How does the new user prove ownership?
Some issues to ponder…
September 1, 2008 pm31 10:30 pm
With the way that technology seems to be going it would be cool if this idea were not very far from reality. With all the need to save resources it would be a better option than to keep making technology only to have to throw away the old stuff and make more waste. There is also the factor of instant gratification and that certainly is a key seller for the idea.
September 1, 2008 pm31 10:58 pm
Technology such as this is really cool. I am a technology geek as it is, but things such as this really make my mouth water! It would be awesome to simply wave my cell phone over something in order to get pricing info and even purchase it!
September 2, 2008 pm31 5:18 am
All those tiny little electronic chips cost money, and to implant one into each and every single book, will cause consumers to face higher retail prices.
I’m all for technological advancement, and I find this interesting. However, The scary thing is, this thing might actually come to fruition, in real life. It’s amazing what technology can go these days. The problem I see here is that not only are consumers going to be paying for this device, but also will assume the expenses of modifications made to products as well.