Weekly Linkfest

Weekly Linkfest

Oh my, what an interesting week for augmented reality, especially in the business front:

• Nokia Beta Labs revealed Live View, a revolutionary mobile augmented reality application. Well, unless you consider Wikitude, Layar, Junaio and many other "AR browsers" that came out in the last three years. Nokia was once a leader in AR research, it's a sad day to see them show off a product like that.
• Vuzix and German research institute Fraunhofer announced strategic alliance for development of display technology. Vuzix's CEO is optimistic (as am I) - "We have already seen results that we feel will provide a paradigm shift in the style, performance and cost of wearable displays".
• Microsoft licenses GeoVector's tech. Slashgear says the goal of this move is to challenge Google Goggles. Patent war against Google (like the current one against Android) can be another reason.
• PrimeSense's (Kinect) competitor, Omek raises $7 million from Intel Capital.
• Someone (well, Beck's) augmented the Statue of Liberty.
• Is the hype around AR disappeared altogether? That's at least what this article, named "What happened to augmented reality?" claims.

This week's video features a cool street art by SWEZA named QRadio. Graffiti boom-boxes around Berlin start to play music when the QR code drawn on them is scanned.  Via Wooster Collective.

Have a great week!