iPhone OS 3.1 Might Come with Augmented Reality

The iPhone OS 3.1 should come towards users with some very attractive and new features, one of which would be the presence/support of augmented reality applications. The functionality has already been rumored, and we're sure that enthusiasts we'll be happy in case it arrives. According to the LA Times, given the fact that early September might bring forth this great feature, we'll learn quite soon whether it is so or not.

To be more precise, LA Times says that Acrossair developers have stated not only that the augmented reality applications are on their way towards iPhone and iPod touch users with the upcoming iPhone OS 3.1, but that the full-screen video features of the software solution won't become available before the platform lands on the market.

It seems that there is an unpublished camera API that should enable the feature, and that this API will not come before the iPhone OS 3.1. This is why other solutions to bring augmented reality on the iPhone haven't surfaced until now either. Hopefully, the upcoming OS flavor will include what it takes for all this great functionality to deliver a new user experience to any iPhone or iPod touch owner.

On the other hand, the Unofficial Apple Weblog reports that a developer has already stated that the “3.1 update will not provide additional hooks for AR apps; specifically, that the live camera view APIs are going to remain private and will not be exposed for third-party development. This source suggests that Acrossair is confused about Apple's position, and that the approval schedule aligning with 3.1 is a coincidence and not a technical restraint.”

As for what the augmented reality actually is, for those who are not familiar with the term, it deals with the combination of real-world and computer-generated data. Basically, live video imagery is digitally processed and “augmented” through the inclusion of graphics generated by computer. Stay tuned to learn whether it will actually come along with iPhone 3.1 or not.