Nokia video hints at City Lens augmented reality app
A video clip offers a quick look at how the new app could help smartphone users discover local businesses.
Nokia is touting its City Lens augmented reality app through a brief, teasing video clip.
The clip on You Tube features a woman walking down a city sidewalk as an ad for a nearby shoe store pops up, complete with ratings and recommendations from her socially networked friends. With its emphasis on a local business, the clip seems to be a clear reference to City Lens.
Dubbed an augmented reality app, City Lens displays nearby stores and other businesses when you point your phone in a certain direction. The phone's camera displays the view around you with an overlay of businesses in your immediate area. Tapping on a particular business drills down to reveal further details.
Users can switch the view offered by City Lens from augmented reality to a map to a standard list. The app provides directions and an estimate on how long a walk you face to reach the business. Further, you can call the business, read reviews, and share details with your contacts via e-mail or instant messaging.
The video clip ends by displaying the date September 5, 2012. Nokia will host a launch event in New York City tomorrow where it will demo a host of new products, with City Lens apparently prepping for its official debut.
The app itself will be available for Nokia's Lumia lineup of Windows Phone handsets.
(Via SlashGear)