The Macrosite for News, Analysis and Opinion about the Future of the Internet
Alan Reiter

Augmented Reality Meets Government Transparency

Written by Alan Reiter
11/6/2009 22 comments
DISCUSS   Digg   Del.icio.us   Reddit   Email This   TWEET THIS

When government officials talk about information “transparency,” they don't mean augmented reality (AR). But AR will play a major role in enhancing government transparency, although it won't be welcomed by many officials.

Augmented reality is, in essence, integrating the physical world with the virtual (i.e., data). Many people got their first look at AR with a heads-up display in eyeglasses in Terminator 1 and subsequent Terminator movies.

It will require years to improve such displays compared to today's geeky versions, although they are looking a tiny bit better than earlier models.

I continue to believe that, eventually, much of the world will wear these types of glasses. Perhaps in 2013 we'll see Apple's iGlasses.

Before iGlasses, though, the camera phone is becoming the AR device of choice. It's still very early days, but geekier cellphone users are downloading AR browsers and applications. One Washington organization, the Sunlight Foundation, recently offered a free AR app that's aimed, not just at geeks, but rather at policy wonk geeks. It works with Layar, the most well known AR browser, in conjunction with data from Recovery.gov, the U.S. government's Website about the economic stimulus funding. Layar is available for Android phones and the iPhone 3GS.

Recovery.gov provides details about the hundreds of billions in dollars in tax cuts, contracts, grants, and loans authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Interestingly, one of the Act's goals is to "foster unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency in government spending."

The Sunlight software, the Recovery.gov Augmented Reality Mashup, integrates information from the “Where Is The Money Going?” section of Recovery.gov.

If you walk down a street and point your camera phone at buildings, for example, you'll see blue circles on a map that indicate companies that received government assistance. The software displays the company name, amount received, and the distance from where you're standing.

It doesn't offer any more, but information can be filtered by amounts of funding and searched by company name. Funds have been provided to everything from power plants, state tourism offices, and railroads to automobile shops, Bible colleges, and Native American youth programs.

The Recovery.gov data is coded in the KML file format, which is designed to display geographic data in such programs as Google Earth and Google Maps. The Sunlight mashup pales in comparison to the information available on Recovery.gov as well as the wealth of related information on the Web. However, it's just the first step in employing AR for government information.

The next step should be adding more data (either from Recovery.gov or from other sites), such as government agencies that provide the funds, categories of companies, how each company is supposed to use the funds, and who's managing the money within the company.

Ellen S. Miller, co-founder and executive director of the Sunlight Foundation, participated this week in an Internet Evolution podcast and online chat. She said Sunlight is working on an iPhone app about Congress, but didn't say whether it was AR.

Government stimulus funding is only one of thousands of types of government data that could be integrated into AR browsers. The details for every company or organization that has received any type of government assistance could be added. You could stand in front of a building, and see if AR information pops up.

Technologically, AR works better with advanced camera phones that have faster microprocessors, larger and higher resolution screens, GPS, and a compass. More accurate location technology would enhance AR's usefulness.

Obviously, there are serious privacy and security concerns about the ease of viewing government -- and personal -- data via AR. How much is too much?

But imagine pointing your camera phone at every bridge, tunnel, and highway to see details about pork barrel projects.

What if every citizen in every country could view information about wasteful government funding simply by pointing their camera phones? Many governments already censor the Internet. Perhaps augmented reality will be next on their hit lists.

— Alan Reiter (AR), President, Wireless Internet & Mobile Computing

DISCUSS   Digg   Del.icio.us   Reddit   Email This
Current display:       newest comments first       display in chronological order
Page 1 of 3   Next >
Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Thursday November 12, 2009 5:11:57 PM

Hi SeanFromIT,

The exciting thing is we are just at the beginning of what will be done with AR.  I can't wait for my AR-enabled eyeglasses.

SeanFromIT
IQ Crew
Thursday November 12, 2009 4:24:36 PM

Agreed. AR is one important part of the future human experience. Cell phones were just the beginning.

Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Saturday November 7, 2009 10:08:52 PM

Hi J DAmbrosio,

No -- augmented reality has value.  Every technology is hyped.  Indeed, it seems that hype is required to generate enthusiasm -- not that I like hype or evangelism.

Today's AR apps are primitive.  But that's today.

This isn't baloney.  It's the real thing.  The integration of the physical world with Internet data is simply a no-brainer and it will get better.  It will just take time to develop to apps that cannot be duplicated with non-AR methods.

Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Friday November 6, 2009 5:19:50 PM

Hi Ira Winkler,

I certainly won't argue about naming.  Augmented reality might indeed be quickly dismissed and another name used in its place.

However, augmented reality hasn't been going on for a while in any commercial setting, except in a few specific vertical markets, such as heads up displays on military planes.

Regardless of what hardware is used -- camera phones, eyeglasses, whatever -- integrating data into physical situations is going to happen for consumers.  It's simply too useful and entertaining not to happen.

It will just take time to put together all the pieces.

J DAmbrosio
Rank: Cyborg
Friday November 6, 2009 5:15:35 PM

Oh please, what a bunch of over-hyped b.s squared...

The iPhone already has an App for this CarFinder AR App.  It's called Notes, you simply open it up and enter whatever you wish.

Like, "Parked car at Universal Studios King Kong 412"

There's augmented reality for you!!...

 

JD

 

Ira Winkler
Thinkernetter
Friday November 6, 2009 4:55:06 PM

Frankly, I think AR, as a term, is going to come and go very quickly.  People might write about it every so often, but while the concept might remain in some form, it appears to be something that has been going on for awhile without a title.

nathanwosnack
IQ Crew
Friday November 6, 2009 12:46:34 PM

Alan Reiter,

Thanks for helping me make my points!  As I've been writing in my replies to comments, before I just read your second comment, all technology takes time to develop and most (if not all) technology is disparaged at the outset because its purpose seems so unclear and its capabilities soprimitive.

My pleasure! Your article is a great one and as easy as it is to quickly dismiss AR as another passing fad, or as a marketing gimmick, my links and yours have a strong argument for the usefulness and future of augmented reality.

Everyone can have an opinion, but facts are facts and it is difficult to argue them unless one has something viable to counter it with instead of "I personally believe...".

Have a great weekend!

- Nathan Wosnack

Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Friday November 6, 2009 12:34:14 PM

Hi nathanwosnack,

Thanks for helping me make my points!  As I've been writing in my replies to comments, before I just read your second comment, all technology takes time to develop and most (if not all) technology is disparaged at the outset because its purpose seems so unclear and its capabilities soprimitive.

With augmented reality, its value is obvious for those with the eyes to see and the brains to evaluate.

From a government perspective, I'd like to combine AR with facial recognition.  Point your camera phone or your eyeglasses at a politician, and the recognition software will determine who the politician is and display information about him/her.

Obviously, this also could be done for other categories of workers.  (Or, maybe, we'll just force politicians to wear large barcodes on their clothing!)

Fascinating and scary and, probably, inevitable.

Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Friday November 6, 2009 12:24:41 PM

Hi J DAmbrosio,

Marketers will have their fun as long as there are markets!  And, to take a marketing perspective, people don't buy products, including useful ones, if they don't know they exist.

In any case....Many technologies are considered "overnight sensations," just like actors who have toiled for decades and finally become recognized for their talents.

Augmented reality has finally reached a point where there's a tiny bit of "there there."  It's still in the baby steps stage or, perhaps, the baby crawl stage.  But isn't that the way with all technology?

The key is looking at AR and pondering whether it makes sense and should be developed.  It does and it will.

 

Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Friday November 6, 2009 12:17:44 PM

Hi PaulJ,

Yes, augmented reality is very hot now.  Many bloggers and mainstream publications have written about it and even published special reports, such as the current issue of Business Week.

However, I'm enthusiastic because of its value, not because of the hype.  It's not a solution looking for a problem but, rather, a solution to problems:  Continuous viewing of information that will be invaluable for business and personal lives.

I agree that, so far, there is more hype than value -- just as there was with every other technology that has become invaluable, from telephones to computers.

Fast Company's headline is correct: AR is a fad now (an esoteric, techie-only fad), but it will become the future for mainstream consumers tomorrow.

Page 1 of 3   Next >
The ThinkerNet does not reflect the views of TechWeb. The ThinkerNet is an informal means of communication to members and visitors of the Internet Evolution site. Individual authors are chosen by Internet Evolution to blog. Neither Internet Evolution nor TechWeb assume responsibility for comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and ThinkerNet bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
previous posts from Alan Reiter
Alan Reiter
Alan Reiter   2/5/2010   22 comments
It is difficult to underestimate the value of wireless data in Haiti in aiding relief workers and residents in wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on January 12. Quite literally, wireless data has been a life-saving technology.
Alan Reiter
Alan Reiter   1/29/2010   77 comments
I'm cautiously optimistic that Apple's iPad will be successful because it's Apple-like and non-Apple-like. Those characteristics have major advantages and disadvantages that affect the value of the iPad. UPDATED 12:25 PM
Alan Reiter
Alan Reiter   1/15/2010   28 comments
May the gods be praised! Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has finally unveiled what appears to be its online file storage capability -- a so-called Google Drive or GDrive -- for consumers and businesses.
Alan Reiter
Alan Reiter   1/6/2010   39 comments
Hysteria has reached fever pitch as techies around the world can hardly contain themselves until January 27, when Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is rumored to be announcing its new tablet computer. Also, during the past several months, interesting tablets and concepts for tablets have been unveiled by other manufacturers. The New York Times has called 2010 "The Year of the Tablet."
Alan Reiter
Alan Reiter   1/1/2010   24 comments
In Charles Dickens's classic story A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come about scenes he will be shown from his future: "Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of things that may be, only?"
5
of
IETV: the thinkerNet on film
5
of
2pm EST
Tue
Feb 23rd
2pm EST
Thu
Mar 4th
3pm EST
Tue
Mar 9th
an IBM information resource
sponsored content
big blue blog
Todd Watson
IBM is announcing today the first of its Power7 processor-based systems and the Power7 processor itself at an event in NYC.
white papers & case studies
an IBM information resource
sponsored content
Smarter Collaboration: How to Thrive in a Challenging Business Environment
Market conditions are changing faster than ever, and organizations need to improve their agility and adaptability in order to provide better service and improve processes. The ability to work with customers, business partners, and employees as effectively as possible - while at the same time holding down costs - is a key to success.

READ THIS eBOOK
your weekly update of news, analysis, and
opinion from Internet Evolution - FREE!

REGISTER HERE
Wanted! Site Moderators
Internet Evolution is looking for a handful of readers to help moderate the message boards on our site – as well as engaging in high-IQ conversation with the industry mavens on our thinkerNet blogosphere. The job comes with various perks, bags of kudos, and GIANT bragging rights. Interested?

Please email: moderators@internetevolution.com
CMP Media LLC
Internet Evolution – not for thickies
Congress Hits the Snooze Button With China
Ira Winkler
In his
recent Congressional testimony, Dennis Blair, the U.S. director of national intelligence, stated that the U.S. is "severely threatened" by cyber attacks and that the recent Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) attacks should serve as a wake-up call.

CLICK FOR MORE
Robert D. Atkinson
Fighting Digital Piracy

1|21|10   |   1:52   |   2 comments


Digital piracy is growing. It's time to fight back, says Robert Atkinson.
Full Nelson
SanFran.gov

11|19|09   |   8:51   |   No comments


Fritz has an exclusive talk with the mayor and CTO of San Francisco about that city's latest e-government efforts.
Steve Saunders' Outernet
The Death of Anonymity: Part 4

Part 4 of 4   |  
See complete series
10|29|09   |   1:40   |   7 comments


In the final episode of this series about the death of Internet anonymity, Saunders describes how the Internet of the future will start to attain a level of intelligence that requires no human intervention. Scary.
Steve Saunders' Outernet
The Death of Anonymity: Part 3

Part 3 of 4   |  
See complete series
10|28|09   |   1:35   |   4 comments


What can users today do to protect their online privacy? The simplest and most obvious option is to not use the Internet – at all. However, once all digital information is consolidated over the Internet, trying to protect digital identity by simply unplugging from the Internet becomes impossible – a fact that has manifest implications for civil liberties, Saunders says.
Steve Saunders' Outernet
The Death of Anonymity: Part 2

Part 2 of 4   |  
See complete series
10|27|09   |   2:08   |   8 comments


By 2011 the number of Internet-connected sensors will exceed 1 trillion, making your chances of doing anything or going anywhere unnoticed pretty much zero. Saunders talks about how the 'sensortization' of the Internet is eliminating the traditional divide between online and offline populations.
Steve Saunders' Outernet
The Death of Anonymity: Part 1

Part 1 of 4   |  
See complete series
10|26|09   |   1:29   |   13 comments


The 20th Century Internet was characterized by the ability to interact with other people and information on the Internet largely without anyone knowing who you were. The Internet of this century, conversely, will be defined by identity. Saunders explains how Internet users are unwittingly contributing to the demise of the anonymous Internet.
Full Nelson
Go With the FLO, Part 2

Part 2 of 2   |  
See complete series
2|5|10   |   2:17   |   3 comments


Fritz and his sweater continue their review of Qualcomm's FLO TV.
Full Nelson
Go With the FLO, Part 1

Part of 2   |  
See complete series
2|4|10   |   2:39   |   1 comment


Qualcomm's FLO TV gizmo streams live TV shows. Tragically, they include the O'Reilly Factor
Rob Salkowitz
The Use & Abuse of BI

2|1|10   |   2:19   |   4 comments


Data mining of social networks means people might face unforeseen consequences as a result of their seemingly innocuous personal choices and associations.
Reiter's Block
If a Google Phone Arrives, Does It Even Matter?

12|17|09   |   02:41   |   13 comments


Techies are going crazy over the possibility that Google might design and sell its own Android phone. Some writers say it's a very big deal. Reiter questions whether it will happen and, if it does, whether it even matters.
Lee H. Berke
The Decline & Fall of Broadcast Television

2|9|10   |   1:00   |   No comments


Want to know the future of broadcast television? Take a look at broadcast radio’s past.
Tom Nolle
Everything New Is Old Again

2|9|10   |   2:13   |   6 comments


Research shows that the youth of today like Facebook – but not blogging or Twitter. Does that mean Facebook has won, or just that it's not yet out of favor? Will all the services we see today fade into Ovaltine-or-Wheaties status in just a few years?
what.the.ferraro
Email Marketing Gets Desperate

2|8|10   |   2:31   |   4 comments


Promotional emails will use just about anything timely to get people to buy things. Seriously, anything.
Steve Saunders' Outernet
America, Truck Yeah!

2|8|10   |   1:42   |   5 comments


Steve likes his new Dodge Ram 1500, but hates Chrysler's Web non-sales strategy. Rant on, li'l buddy.
what.the.ferraro
Twits Go Wild for Resignation Tweet

2|5|10   |   1:48   |   4 comments


Jonathan Schwartz is the first Fortune 200 CEO to resign via Tweet. Can he walk on water, too?
Full Nelson
Go With the FLO, Part 2

Part 2 of 2   |  
See complete series
2|5|10   |   2:17   |   3 comments


Fritz and his sweater continue their review of Qualcomm's FLO TV.
Singer at C-Level
Goldilocks & the Data Center

2|4|10   |   3:39   |   2 comments


What kinds of companies are doing the most innovation in the data center? Turns out it's midtier enterprises that are taking the "Just Right" approach.
Full Nelson
Go With the FLO, Part 1

Part of 2   |  
See complete series
2|4|10   |   2:39   |   1 comment


Qualcomm's FLO TV gizmo streams live TV shows. Tragically, they include the O'Reilly Factor
Eurotrash
High & Dry in Barcelona

2|3|10   |   1:08   |   No comments


Ray’s heading to Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress, and he’s not happy about it, the miserable git.
Sweeney Blog
No Sex, Please... It's the Super Bowl

2|3|10   |   2:24   |   2 comments


The Super Bowl ads that CBS rejected are turning up online, generating lots of attention but zero revenue for the broadcaster.