Junaio 2.0: Augmented Reality Browser

[SXSW] Juanio 2.0 is now available in the Apple App Store, the revamped version of the augmented reality browser offers new features such as indoor usage, a new channel concept, web- and user based information channels and an open API for developers. Since the first version launched in November 09 (read the article by Dana Oshiro on RWW), Junaio provides information on point-of-interests (see picture above), the ability to add 3D animations and share the edited images via the usual social networking sites.

The new channels allow to arrange the location-based content more efficiently using a simple category structure: News, Culture, Shopping, Games, Travel or Food , for example, it helps users to find the closest and best rated restaurants (just like Yelp but with 3D salt and pepper)… Companies and corporations can create their channels, the first partners will be BART, a national transportation agency in the US, and Eventful. With Eventful, the popular events selection site, users will be able to discover events venues and information directly from the location on their mobile phone (See pictures below). Individuals will be able to create their own channel(s) as well, to share their messages, 3D objects, information and recommendations.

Junaio 2.0 will be unveiled for the first time at SXSW, and if you are going, you could try the Porter Novelli branded SXSW “scavengerAR”-hunt channel when you are in Austin: attendees will have to find clues in the offline world throughout the SXSW venues and collect digital items; the winners will get prizes. It would be fun to see if Junaio could be combined with the iPhone-controlled Parrot AR drone  launched at CES, I could win the “scavengerAR”-hunt, flying the quadricopter from places to places and collecting the AR items faster than anyone! I just need a developer…

One unique feature is the indoor usage, thanks to the LLA-marker-technology (patent pending- see the marker in the picture with the dragon), this will be very useful for museums channels for example, visitors will just point their camera on the info next to the exhibits and read information directly on their mobile phone. As you may know GPS does not work indoors.