Like Tony Stark’s creation of the same name, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is a wonder of modern technology. Packing a beautiful 4.2” screen, with massive 854×480 pixel resolution, its 8.1 megapixel camera packs a brand new Sony sensor. But with the power of Android, it won’t just let you take photos, it’ll give you X-ray vision too.
You see, that pairing of screen and camera mean augmented reality (AR) apps, which overlay information on the world as seen through the camera lens, work like Clark Kent on the trail of a hot scoop. Read on, and we’ll introduce you to five of the best, most entertaining, useful and downright powerful AR apps to run on the Arc.
Augment your reality
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc sports a stellar 8.1 megapixel camera with Sony’s Exmor R for mobile CMOS sensor, a backlit sensor that allows for superb shots even in dim lighting conditions. Said camera has more features than you can shake an adamantium stick at; touch focus, LED flash, smile detection, image stabilization, 720p HD video recording and geo tagging to name but a few.
But with this camera and access to the Android Market, the Xperia Arc becomes a portal to another dimension – the realm of augmented reality.
Layar
Layar is an augmented reality app with a difference. Instead of serving a single purpose, such as finding a hotel or shop, it offers a series of layers that you can view in a Robocop style heads up display.
The layers are created by the app’s users and businesses alike, so whatever your need, chances are Layar will have a solution for you. Simply select what you’re after, or just specify everything local to you, hold up your handset and everything will appear in front of your eyes, from hidden cash machines to the locations of famous album covers, and even aliens.
Google Goggles
Google Goggles is an app that creates a visual search based on what it sees through the camera. In other words, the app takes a photo using the camera, scans the image and then runs a search based on what it finds.
This is fantastic when you’re out and about trying to identify supervillains (assuming all your nemeses use brightly coloured logos on their spandex). In your day to day life, it doubles up for telling you everything you need to know about landmarks, locations and even obscure painting in an art gallery.
Amazon.com
Amazon has always been the go to name when it comes to online shopping, and with the inclusion of ‘Amazon Remembers’, its photo identification service weaved into the fabric of its Android app, it’s made it even more convenient to buy the things you need online.
Simply open the free app, snap a picture using the Remembers function and within minutes you’ll be sent a link to the item or similar items you have photographed on Amazon’s site. It can even pick out barcodes from within the camera’s field of view, and pull the right details from the black and white stripes alone.
Wikitude World Browser
Wikitude is the essential AR app for tourists. It overlays various points of interest over the world around you, on your Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. The app pulls in information from three sources: Wikipedia for POIs (points of interest) around you, Qype for crowd sourced reviews of businesses such as banks, shops and the like and finally Wikitude.me for user created points of interest.
Sky Siege
You can’t defend the world from evil all day, everyday – sometimes you just need to kick back, relax and blow things up.
Sky Siege uses your camera to superimpose a world of helicopters, blimps and fighter jets over reality. You have command of a heavy gun turret and missile launcher, and it’s your duty to take down the enemy currently orbiting your living room. It’s a great fun and innovative use of AR and one that’ll keep you entertained for hours – don’t forget there’s a city to save out there though.
Read more about the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc: The world’s thinnest Android phone up close
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc: Bravia Engine superpowers to upgrade your videos
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc: Exmor R sensor gives you night vision!
