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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.