Nokia looks to boost Lumia popularity through use of high-tech software
Nokia has been working to promote the qualities of its Lumia handsets for some time. The company realizes that it will take more than a sleek design to gain the favor of consumers, many of whom have already been won over by Apple’s iPad tablet. As such, Nokia is focused on bolstering the software features of Lumia devices. Earlier this week, Nokia brought the Nokia Music streaming service to Lumia mobile devices in the U.S. Now, the company has set its sights on augmented reality and is getting some help from AOL.
Enhance AOL now available for Lumia devices
AOL and Nokia have teamed in an attempt to bring one of AOL’s applications to Lumia devices. The application is designed to be an entertainment hub and is called Enhance AOL. The application can be used t find information on local movies and concerts, overlaying this information on a real-world environment using augmented reality. In this regard, Enhance AOL is very similar to Nokia’s City Lens augmented reality application, though with a more acute focus on entertainment rather than pure navigation.
Lumia owners now able to make use of Enhance AOL features
Lumia owners will be able to make use of the various features of the Enhance AOL application. Not only will consumers be able to find information on nearby movies and concerts, they will also be able to purchase tickets online using the application. The application will also give Lumia owners access to the SHOUTcast feature, which will grant them access to full-legnth album previes and more than 55,000 radio stations.
Partnership may help Nokia compete in mobile market
Augmented reality has become a primary focus for Nokia in terms of boosting the popularity of the Lumia line. The company has been working on introducing new augmented reality applications into the Lumia for several years but has been met with only modest results. The Enhance AOL application may provide the Lumia with the momentum it needs to compete with Apple in the mobile market.
Valve reveals work on augmented reality headset
Acclaimed game developer Valve has held a strong presence in the gaming industry for several years. The company is well known for its innovative products and creative approach to gaming. Recently, Valve began looking to bolster its ranks with fresh hardware developers that were to work on a new project. This project has been shrouded in secrecy for some time, but a profile of Valve from the New York Times has shed some light on the project.
Developer interested in changing the way people experience games
Valve has been working to develop a new augmented reality headset. While this may come as a surprise to some, Valve has long believed that augmented reality, as well as other interactive technologies, could be the future of gaming. The company has taken a page from Google and has created a pair of augmented reality glasses that will be used in its “wearable computing” project. The developer’s interest in augmented reality seems to be born of frustration concerning the rate of progress being seen in computer technology and how games are limited to this technology.
Augmented reality continues to gain favor throughout the gaming industry
Augmented reality gaming is becoming more popular as more people become exposed to it. The vast majority of games that make use of augmented reality can be found on mobile platforms, such as smart phones and tablets. This has made the games accessible to a large portion of consumers, as mobile technology is exceedingly popular. Valve believes that people’s exposure to augmented reality has prepared them for a new generation of technology that makes use of the software.
Valve project may unlock new possibilities in gaming
Valve is keeping the details of its augmented reality project secret for the time being. The developer has not released an estimated time in which its project will be available to consumers. When it does see commercial launch, however, Valve’s augmented reality project may help usher in a new generation of gaming and help revolutionize the game industry as a whole.
