A couple of months ago I was at an event in London listening to the panel of augmented reality experts taking questions from the audience. One question that was posed was: “why don’t we see any augmented reality applications that use audio rather than visual?’. It was an interesting question and the panel were unable to agree if audio based solutions would be classed as augmented reality. The panel was split, those that had augmented reality browsers thought that these potential solution would indeed be include, while those that have marker based solution were not convinced.

I’m in favour, the introduction of mobile augmented reality browsers has forced a rethink on what the technology actually is, audio augmented reality browsers are about muddy the water even further. (feel free to agree or disagree with me)

Toozla - The Audio Augmented Reality Browser

Toozla have just announced the launch of what I think is the worlds first augmented reality sound browser. It works just like Layar or Wikitude in that it uses location based services to determine your current location and then depending on what channels you are subscribed to will give you an audio commentary. The channels include a Tourist channel for finding information on nearby landmarks, a Services channel to receive promotional information from shops and business and a Weather and Chat channel.
 
Toozla in action
 
 
Audio augmented reality browsers are an interesting idea. My iPhone cost me around £300 + a continued £35 a month for the next 18 months so I get a little apprehensive when I take it out to perform an augmented reality test on some dark corner. Waving an iPhone around in the dark on the streets of London is asking for attention from the wrong sort of people. I like the idea of Toozla, it’s novel and useful especially if you are on holiday and looking for a city guide, and you don’t have to wave an expensive item around.
 
Some of the Toozla channels are worldwide (for example the services and weather channels), but to catalogue the tourist attractions in major cities, and to localize in to various languages is no easy task and as such the tourist channel is expanding. You can get a complete list of what is available in each location here. Toozla is available for a number of devices (iPhone and Android are in development), but if you have one of the following you can give it ago:

Compatible devices
Toozla has been tested by developers on the following devices, and has been found to work correctly:

• Nokia E51, E63, E66, E71, E75, E55, Nokia N76, N78, N79, N81, N81 8GB, N82, N85, N86 8MP, N95, N95-3, N95 8GB, N96, Nokia 5320 XpressMusic, 5630 XpressMusic, 5700 XpressMusic, 5730 XpressMusic, 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia 6110, 6110 Navigator, 6120 Classic, 6121 Classic, 6124 classic, 6220 classic, 6290, 6650, 6720 classic, 6710 Navigator

Toozla has been tested by beta testers on the following devices, and has been reported to work correctly:

• Motorola A1200, Nokia 6300, 7610, 5300, Nokia N73, Sony-Ericsson W810i, W700i, K810i, T250i, P800, PalmOne Treo 755p

Toozla works in limited mode* (devices without built-in GPS) on the following devices:

• Samsung SGH-X820

To download visit Toozla.com

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