Hewlett-Packard
An ace in the hole?
When I last wrote about Microsoft's
The software's still limited, but more by the AR component than by its interface. Most AR software (Aurasma included) doesn't do anything until a human being tells it what it's looking at and how to react. AR software can become a great companion to gesture-based computing in time, but right now, gestures seem closer to broad acceptance.
Interface, the final frontier
If HP can make Aurasma into something more functional than fun, it could become an integral part of future interface designs, and could develop into a tremendous new revenue stream. Technology that works on mobile devices can (and should) eventually adapt to larger interfaces, which opens up new possibilities for business and recreation. HP will have an uphill battle against Microsoft and its Kinect technology in this regard, but first-mover advantage in interfaces can keep a company on top for decades -- provided the interface is intuitive enough for most.
Augmented reality is itself a major new development in interface design, with Sony
Gesture-based interfaces would be an ideal pairing with AR. Think about the potential to manipulate objects that pop up on displays in response to camera cues. A billboard could offer you an order form with a wave or a nod. Combining sensor technology from jilted iPhone supplier OmniVision Technologies
It might not take too long to find out if these companies will have the reality of their profits augmented by new interface developments. Add them to your Watchlist now and stay up to date on all their latest technological progress.