Bionic Eye: Augmented iPhone Awesomeness in App Store

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJmB1lWIdGw Remember the amazing augmented reality application demo for the iPhone that we saw back in July? It was called Nearest Subway, and it overlaid floating representations of nearby New York subway stations onto the live video coming in through the camera of the iPhone 3GS. These appeared to be hanging in space, pinned in […]

Remember the amazing augmented reality application demo for the iPhone that we saw back in July? It was called Nearest Subway, and it overlaid floating representations of nearby New York subway stations onto the live video coming in through the camera of the iPhone 3GS. These appeared to be hanging in space, pinned in place by the 3GS’ compass and GPS.

That application is now available to buy, for just $1. There have been a few changes – it's now called Bionic Eye, for instance – but the jaw-dropping virtual signage is still there, and the subway stations have been joined by other points of interest, hotels, fast-food joints and, splendidly, Hooters.

Bionic Eye now works anywhere in the United States, not just New York, and you can buy add-ons for the subway systems of New York, Washington and Chicago from within the application. To use it, you just hold it up and look. As you scan the electronic window across the cityscape the app updates in real time and shows you where things are. Move the iPhone down to a horizontal position and the jiggling signs turn into a list. Touch one of the items and the display shows an arrow pointing you towards, say, a lunch of wings and tight-fitting T-shirts.

Magically, this all works offline, so you need neither a Wi-Fi or data connection (although the app will show you any Wi-Fi spots around you). Everything is contained within the tiny 2.9-MB download. You will need the 3GS for this, as it has the essential compass, but you can use it with older iPhones or iPod Touches and get the same points of interest plotted onto a Google Map – equally useful but less jazzy.

Outside the United States, the UK, France and Tokyo are supported. Available now.

Product page [iTunes]
Product page [Bionic Eye]

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