Augmented reality boost for iPhone Maps?

Apple might be working on an update to their Maps application for iPhone that will feature augmented reality sometime down the road, where it enables users to check out information including street names, where these will be shown while images are beamed to the phone’s display live via the camera. Apple’s interest in this feature was picked up after a new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filing known as Augmented Reality Maps was spotted. The iPhone camera already sports a very spiffy sensor that takes great looking images, and should it be coupled with the power of augmented reality, that is certainly something worth looking into.

Currently, augmented reality on the iPhone is made available via applications including Layar, where that app will let you find local businesses and other locations. No idea on how much further the implementation of augmented reality will happen in the future across all mobile platforms, but it does seem as though it is here to stay. The smartphone user experience is definitely the richer for it if augmented reality takes off in a huge way.