Author: Lucy

Visual fatigue is a problem when switching from 2D to 3D.

One of the primary limitations of head mounted display (HMD) augmented reality technology is that human eyes have a difficult time adjusting between a 2D image on a screen and the 3D world that is in front of them, but researchers from the University of Connecticut in Storrs and the University of Arizona in Tucson, have developed a device that superimposes three dimensional images instead of two dimensional.

The researchers have developed an AR device similar to Google Glass.

The device, called an optical see-through head mounted display (OST-HMD) is compact, lightweight and a high-performance gadget that is not unlike Google Glass. It was developed by Hong Hua from the University of Arizona and Bahram Javidi of the University of Connecticut. It has been designed to superimpose a 3D image instead of the typical 2D image on the three dimensional view of real life.

The researchers developed a technology known as microscopic integral imaging display to create the 3D image. With this technique, a minute, high resolution screen generates views from diverse perspectives of the 3D image that the user wants to overlay. The various views come together to recreate a three dimensional scene that is sent through a freeform eyepiece (an optical lens with a unique shape) and into the eye. In essence, this augmented reality technology allows the user to view the virtual image as a 3D object in the real life scene in front of them. Eye focus is not affected, which results in a far more comfortable AR experience.

According to Hua, the OST-HMD has the potential to “redefine the way we perceive and interact with digital information.” For instance, in the future, it may provide a new training method for soldiers by integrating 3D virtual objects into real world environments or it might enable a surgeon to see CT (computed tomography) images spread over the surface of a patient’s abdomen during surgery.

It will still be some time before this augmented reality technology can be commercialized.

“Minimizing visual discomfort involved in wearing AR displays remains an unresolved challenge,” said Hua. She went on to say that “This work is making a significant step forward in addressing this important issue.”

Before the Augmented reality device will be ready for commercialization, plenty of work still needs to be done. However, Javidi commented that he believes commercialization is promising due to the improved commercial availability of optoelectronic and optical devices.

This move was made in order to make it easier for smartphone users to be able to shop for applications.

Google has just made an important and long awaited move that is designed to make it easier for people to be able to buy things, such as mobile apps, from the Play Store while they are on the go and using their smartphones and tablets.

Android device users how have a mobile friendly interface that helps them to shop for content.

The new smartphone friendly store offers a range of features, such as a slide out navigation menu that gives the user immediate and direct access to all of the various parts of the Play Store. This includes a section for “devices” so that users can purchase mobile apps, various forms of devices, and all of the content that they could possibly want. All of this is now possible from their smartphone or tablet browser, instead of having to rely on the app or the web based store over a laptop or desktop computer.

So far, mobile apps shoppers are applauding this move by Google to give them a browser based option.

Overall, it appears to work quite well and allows those who would prefer to use a browser for their Google Play experience to make that choice.

Though its layout does take some getting used to for the first use or so, it also offers the added advantage that users of devices on platforms other than Android will also be able to make purchases through the Play Store. Therefore, the store will not be limited to users of Android devices, but iPhone and iPad users and even BlackBerry and Windows Phone users will also be able to access the store.

Moreover, it gives people the chance to purchase devices. This is an option that the existing Google Play mobile apps on Android does not have to offer. Many mobile device users have been pushing for this option for some time and are thrilled to see that their voices have been heard. The actual popularity of the site has yet to be seen.