Nokia Image Space adds Augmented Reality

Nokia Betalabs posted a tiny update today to let us know that Nokia Image Space has added capabilities to browse content on your mobile in Augmented Reality.

Here’s a bit of the blog post :

We have today included to Image Space Beta Labs page an experimental Image Space Mobile browsing client. With it, you can view the Image Space content around you in Augmented Reality. Also, you can browse the content with your mobile device, similarly as you do with the IS Browser on a computer. You can view and comment the content of other users as well.

If you want to try out, you need to download and install Qt 4.6 and Nokia Image Space Mobile to your N97 mini or other S60 5.0 compass device. You can easily create content for this Augmented Reality application by simply taking a photo with IS Capture on and posting it to Flickr for your contacts or general public.

The application generates some traffic, so you may want to make sure you have a flat rate data plan.

The Nokia Image Space Mobile for S60 should work on all S60v5 device with built-in GPS and a Compass (like the N97 Mini, and Original N97).

Original N97 owners should note that you have to install Qt to check this app out, which weighs in at about 10Mb. Which is a serious chunk of your Internal memory.

Image Space Mobile Guidelines

• IS Mobile only works in compass equipped S60 touch screen devices like N97 mini
• Using Image Space Mobile causes significant amount of data traffic, please use only if you have flat rate data plan. Don’t use when roaming.
• Due to the heavy use of sensors, display, data traffic, and betanature, Image Space Mobile uses up battery rather quickly

Nokia Image Space Mobile is more experimental than the other two components of Image Space solution. It lets you browse the same content as the Image Space Browser, but on a mobile device. An additional feature, not available in the IS Browser, is Augmented Reality (AR) view to the content. You can view the content around you by looking through the viewfinder. This brings you photos from different seasons and times of day from the area you are in, taken by different people.

If you wish to easily create content for viewing through AR, taking a photo and posting it to Flickr is an easy way to do it.

Pairing your S60 5.0 device to the Service:

New users:

Please follow the wizard through the registration process.

Existing IS users (you have registered already to Image Space):

1. Login to IS as usual
2. Click here to initiate phone pairing
3. When requested, enter the user name and Activation Code to the IS Mobile UI

The application starts in Augmented Reality view, showing the content around you if there is any. You can turn around to see more content. Before the GPS fix the location of latest fix is used.

If you select content from map or from the browsing view, you are taken to more regular IS browsing mode. You can select the photos as you can in IS to move further. You can also pan around you. Selecting the photo in the front opens it for you in bigger view.

Friend list can be selected from this icon. You can browse the list of photos taken by your Flickr friends.

You can access photo related information from the info icon.

You can enter commenting by selecting the Speech Bubbles Icon. The comments are linked to respective field in Flickr.

You can download the update from the Nokia Image Space page on BetaLabs. They’re looking out for feedback on the app, so do head over and comment on the Nokia BetaLabs post.