Layar, etc - Augmented Reality Browser Experiences?
 

You may have seen the commercial where a couple is standing on a street looking at their phone and it shows the street with info about various places on the street (use GPS to localize you, data link to connect to DB of "notes" in a library you select - architecture, food...)

Wondered if anyone had tried using this when they were traveling. Was it a natural experience or was it cumbersome. Did you use Layar or another AR browser (if so which)?

Wife & I are off tomorrow to Italy ditching the normal PC for an Android pad and my Android phone. Played a bit with Layar in NY - point it out the window at the Chrysler building and up comes info, same with Empire State building. So we'll try it in Italy to see if its worthwhile.

So, if you've tried it any libraries in particular that were good? If in Italy, recommendations welcome (Milano, Bologna, Firenze, Tuscany, Roma). I did see that there was a Layar library for Pompeii but not heading down there on this trip.

Thanks

It's a gimmick, and the augmented reality view doesn't show anything useful that the map view can't, while being more cumbersome to use.

It's going to eat through your data plan like crazy.

we'll see on the data consumption. architected right, it shouldn't be bad as its not delivering imagery just metadata. just picked up a vodafone IT mifi spot in Milan yesterday - 3gb over 3 months for just e29. since I'm only hear for two weeks, i can afford to burn some to try. also, got 1gb on the phone, too with a prepaid SIM.

If you feel that way about all augmented reality, don't go to the Louvre DNP Museum Lab in Tokyo.