What would augment reality? From a series of tweets by Luke Wroblewski
The technology industry is buzzing about Augmented Reality (AR) applications and hardware. In a series of illustrations titled “what would augment reality?” Luke Wroblewski attempts to answer “what value would exceed the pain of charging and wearing augmented reality headsets each day?” and “Are there enough compelling use cases to make AR a daily necessity?”.
For each illustration, Luke assumed audio input control and gaze path/eye-tracking for object identification. With these assumptions, he applied the principle of maximum information yet minimum obstruction (MIMO) to the user interface design.
Luke’s high-level goal was to ‘augment’ reality: give people abilities they wouldn’t otherwise have through the inclusion of digital information and actions in the physical world.
1. “explain”Permalink to section titled 1. “explain”
Figure 1: Explain the meaning of a symbol
2. “find bathroom”Permalink to section titled 2. “find bathroom”
Figure 2: Show the route to the bathroom
3. “drive”Permalink to section titled 3. “drive”
Figure 3: Show how your speed compares to the road’s speed limit
4. “solve”Permalink to section titled 4. “solve”
Figure 4: Solve a maths problem
5. “identify”Permalink to section titled 5. “identify”
Figure 5: Identify a plant or animal in the wild
6. “measure”Permalink to section titled 6. “measure”
Figure 6: Measure the dimensions of an object
7. “convert”Permalink to section titled 7. “convert”
Figure 7: Convert currencies and units of measurement
8. “check reviews”Permalink to section titled 8. “check reviews”
Figure 8: Check what other people think of a product on sale
9. “check price”Permalink to section titled 9. “check price”
Figure 9: Check the price of a product, for example petrol at a petrol station
10. “lose weight”Permalink to section titled 10. “lose weight”
Figure 10: Check the calories contained in food and drink and map it to what you need to do to keep your weight under control
11. “listen”Permalink to section titled 11. “listen”
Figure 11: Listen to tracks on an album you’ve picked up at the local record store
12. “compare”Permalink to section titled 12. “compare”
Figure 12: Compare the quality of something like wine
13. “remember”Permalink to section titled 13. “remember”
Figure 13: Add a reminder to your calendar for an event you’re interested in
14. “order more”Permalink to section titled 14. “order more”
Figure 14: Add items to your shopping list or online basket
15. “calculate”Permalink to section titled 15. “calculate”
Figure 15: Calculate a restaurant tip
16. “identify”Permalink to section titled 16. “identify”
Figure 16: Identify an object such as a plane flying overhead
17. “find keys”Permalink to section titled 17. “find keys”
Using object recognition and recording.
Figure 17: Find where you left your keys
18. “magnify”Permalink to section titled 18. “magnify”
Figure 18: Enhance small print to make it readable
19. “rewind”Permalink to section titled 19. “rewind”
Figure 19: Replay what just happened
What would you add to Luke’s list? It would be great to hear from you. Please send me your thoughts.
Updated on: 21 April 2021