The new junaio
Metaio recently released a new version of their augmented reality browser called junaio for the iPhone. You can download it for FREE in Apple’s App Store. The new interface is very clean and easy to navigate. When you start the application, you’re presented with six buttons (e.g, Near me, Scan, Favourites, History, My junaio, and Getting Started) and three featured channels.
Note: There are different types of channels. One allows to interact with virtual information by GPS location, while the other activates data through image recognition.
The “Near me” button allows you to see content that’s in the vicinity of your current GPS location. After you press the button, you will be prompted to choose a channel listing nearby information. Wikipedia is a great channel to start with if you’re interested in testing out the functionality. Augmented Reality technology is more popular in certain areas than others, so some of your points of interest (POI) may be limited. I have about three Wikipedia POIs at my current location. Nevertheless, this should be encouragement to add content and channels for your own community.
The “Scan” button allows you to use your rear-facing camera to scan real world objects created with junaio glue (e.g., photos, AR markers) to access embedded virtual information. For example, you could scan an image of a logo within a magazine and a 3D model or video about the product may begin play on your device. Before you start scanning, you have to choose a channel that contains all the necessary links to view the virtual information. Channels are a way of accessing information from specific sources. Most printed material using this technology will highlight that the page contains augmented information.
The “Favourites” button allows you to quickly access any channels that you’ve saved as favorites. If you forgot to save them, you can always review your most recent channels using the “History” button.
The “My junaio” button allows you to create your own POIs. With “Tag the World” you can add text, images, and 3D models within the context of where you’re standing. When you’re done creating your content, share your channel for others to explore.
When you start the application for the first time, you will notice a few help screens will appear to explain the functionality of each option listed above. They’ve redesigned the actual browser window to include collapsing navigation, which increases screen real-estate for the actual augmented data. Well done! The “Go” tab is used to navigate within the application, while the “View” tab allows you to navigate through the channel content. The “Map” tab allows you to get your bearings and obtain a quick glance of POIs in the area. You can change the number of POIs within the map by adjusting the mapping radius from feet to miles.
I’m always fascinated with finding ways to use this technology within education.
I can imagine:
- Students having their own channels documenting things they’ve learned or experienced around their community
- Teachers creating channels to send students on a guided tour and provide real world context of a local history lesson
- Teachers creating scavenger hunt games using image recognition components to help students learn a college campus
- Teachers giving students video feedback on assignments with customized AR stickers on their graded assignments
- Local subject matter experts using this technology to document their neighborhood’s history
- Students using this technology to find where all their classes are located on campus on the first day of class
- Administrators using this technology to highlight preferred vendors within their community that support the school
- Parents creating a channel of vital resources in the community for new families in the neighborhood
- Non-profits could use this technology to highlight volunteer opportunities within the local area
I can see the possibilities! Can you?
Minimum Requirements: iTouch 4th Generation, iPhone, Android Phone
