Recently Lester wrote an article about all of the augmented reality browsers available, not be be outdone, when I received the scoop on a new browser being launched on Android, (my platform of choice), I had to beat him to it!

Without further ado, I would like to present: mixare (mix Augmented Reality Engine). mixare is by an Italian based firm called: Peer Internet Solutions.

From their own site:

mixare (mix Augmented Reality Engine) is a free open source augmented reality browser, which is published under the GPLv3. At the moment mixare is available for the Android platform. It works as a completely autonomous application and is available as well for the development of own implementations.

mixare will be the first open source augmented reality browser on Android, and we think on any mobile platform. All others; Wikitude, Layer etc… allow users to create additional layers, but do not actually open up their code.

Using mixare

Because mixare opens up all of their code, it may be applied in many different ways; from using it as a standalone application and utilising its own POIs, to embedding it as an engine in your own application (under GPLv3), an literally everything in between!

We certainly look forward to hearing about mixare’s plans for the future and to see whether they will be supporting any other platforms in the future. In the meanwhile, you can find full details and downloads on mixare’s website.

Related posts:

1. DroidAR Engine For Android Developers
2. Mixare Video Explains Mobile Compass Accuracy Issues
3. ARTags for Android

Regular readers will be forgiven for thinking that augmented reality is exclusive to iPhone or Android devices with Nokia owers having very little to shout about. While it’s true there are a lot of excellent applications for the iPhone/Android, Nokia users do have a few rays of sunshine so let me give you a few things to install and try over the weekend.

Nokia have an application called Point & Find which has been available in beta for sometime now. Using Point & Find you can point the phones camera at a movie poster and get the option to either see a trailer or book tickets. You can scan barcodes and get product prices, eg you’re in a store and see something you like, you can scan the barcode and see how much it costs online. In reality it’s actually very cumbersome with you having to work your way though numerous menus to narrow down the product. Nokia recently added a new feature called City View (the augmented reality bit). I have tested it but haven’t found any tags where I live, but the offical blurb on Nokia’s website says:

Tag real-life objects around you, such as restaurants and stores. Provide more information about the item or send the user to a web link. All users will be able to pick up the information and instructions you give when they point their camera phone at your tagged objects.

Point & Find

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqW5zBTYbt0

• Point & Find supports most Nokia devices - take a look at the website for the full list
• Install from Nokia’s website here – http://pointandfind.nokia.com/

ARound from Sequence Point supports a number of Nokia devices and provides the user with information on their surroundings including who is tweeting and what’s around. If you have a Nokia device and want Layar or Wikitude then this is the closest you can get. ARound is also extensible so if you are a developer you can add in your own layers. ARound is still in beta but if you have one the supported devices then its well worth taking a look.

ARound

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZRy52qSnQI

• ARound supports N97, Nokia 6210 Navigator, 6710 Navigator, 6720 Classic, 5730 XpressMusic, N86
• Install from Sequence Point’s website – http://seqpoint.com/beta-labs/69

If you’re the games type then CellaGameshave a few games for Nokia devices that are well worth giving a go.

AR Tower Defense

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWVH6jkDHg

• AR Tower Defense supports N95, N82, E50, E51, N93, N96 - take a look at the website for a full list
• Install from CellaGames website here – http://cellagames.com/artd.html

AR Rougelike

www.youtube.com/watch?v=67bxQmEl7tQ

• AR Rougelike supports N95, N82, E50, E51, N93, N96 - take a look at the website for a full list
• Install from CellaGames website here – http://cellagames.com/arogue.html

 Feel free to share any other applications you know of with the community.

Related posts:

1. Augmented Reality Demos To Install And Try
2. Zombie ShootAR – Augmented Reality Game For Nokia Devices
3. ARound for the Nokia N97