What is layar? It is a a mobile browser that makes the invisible visible. It comes pre-installed on the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone (Hands-on by PC World here) which runs Google’s Android OS and will be coming to Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, and Asia soon.
The concept was based on the sci-fi novel Rainbows End by the author Vernor Vinge. This was a book about the future where information was overlaid on top of reality taken to the extreme.
Layar takes this concept and makes it real. The browser launched with the first 5 layers on June 16, 2009. Since then the platform has been opened and Layar has gone global with over 375 layers having been developed and more on the way.
The video shows what Layar is all about. It allows you to point your camera or take a picture and through Layar shows you what is out there waiting to be discovered. It also recently relaunched on the iPhone after it was pulled to improve the app.
With plans to add a payment platform for the browser waiting in the wings what is next for Layar? I am guessing that their only limitation will be whatever their imagination and the imagination of developers will have and that is probably the most exciting part. What kind of layers would you like them to add, let us know in the comment section below.
The fact that Layar is in the mobile space which continues to grow and change rapidly makes it all the more interesting and indicative of where we personal devices are going. We are truly moving into to an always on society and that is both exciting and scary. It looks like tomorrow has come early.
March 30th, 2010 → 7:33 pm @ Eric Floresca
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