WorkSnug, an augmented reality app for the iPhone 3GS, has released a video of their product. The service shows in the camera view the nearest places to work. The service explains:
WorkSnug is an Augmented Reality application for the iPhone 3GS. It connects mobile workers to the nearest and best places to work.We’ve personally reviewed hundreds of places to work and offer personal observations, a guide to power provision, atmosphere, noise levels and even the quality of the coffee.
I’m not entirely sold on the idea as a replacement of “Nearest X” type apps that can be done without AR. I think they need to explain or show why having a camera view gives you more information to find a place to work from.
I think it’s about finding a good cafe to work from, but you are right in any other aspect.
Heh, you’re right. I guess I misread the way they were presenting it. I thought it was for job search…oops! Still the point about AR remains.
Nice catch, Rouli. 🙂
[…] Posted on September 9, 2009 by rouli Earlier today, Thomas Carpenter posted this video and asked whether the augmented reality mode adds anything to the […]
Good Morning Tom
Appreciate your comments. We decided to use Augmented Reality for our app for a couple of reasons. The first is that it presents a nice way to cut through the complexity of the city lay-out (“oh yeah, it’s that way”). So in that sense it does offer more than just a Nearest X type app. The second reason is that it was fun!
I take your point about AR apps though – We shouldn’t get carried away about the delivery method. We hope the value of our app is in the content, which we pounded the streets to capture ourselves.
Thanks again.
Richard Leyland/WorkSnug
I do agree about the fun part. I convinced some friends to try out Monocle in the Yelp app, and they thought it was great (it’s a similar “nearest x” function.) So that does add to it.
From a strictly marketing point of view, using AR (whether it adds anything or not) on an iPhone app like that makes for good viral press though that will only work for the first movers. Once its been around awhile, it loses its luster.
And I do appreciate your point about removing the clutter of the city layout by pointing you in the right direction (or allowing you to hit the map.) That point does make sense.
As I reflect a little more on it, it seems you’ve added AR as a feature, not built your product around AR. I think in that sense (if I’m reading it correctly), then it works well as a product. As you said, content is king, and if you don’t have good information, then you won’t be able to spread your app beyond the first initial “Oh yeah!” group.
If you have any more thoughts about AR and apps, including how yours is working and spreading, I think we’d all be interested to hear. Augmented reality is still a new format and we want to help it grow steadily, and not in fits and starts, as cycles of hype and disappointment detract from it.
Thanks again for stopping by Richard. I hope your app garners many downloads. 🙂
Hi Tom
More than happy to share the experience with you – I’ll check in after a couple of months and let you know how it goes!
Thanks
Richard
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