Augmented Reality (AR) is becoming a popular word among start-up, particularly mobile phones related start-ups. Almost on daily basis you see announcement related to some new functionality or a new iPhone/android application related to augmented reality. Projections from analysts show growing market evolving in this area.
Augmented reality, as the term suggests, is technology to enhance reality around you. Since mobile phones accompany you to wherever you go and have enough sensors to catch the real aworld around you, including the location, they are the prime target to show you what is and what is happening around you. Current ARsystems usually project on your phone screen what is around you, may even superimpose on camera image on the screen. Lately they have also started showing who among your network may be around you and what may be happening around you. This is definitely an important application when you are at a new place — or even at a familiar place. Remember until recently, you never felt that navigation systems should be part of a car, but now you have started feeling like that. In a sense, your navigation system is one of the earliest application of AR.
I find this area very exciting. particularly with growth in sensor networks it may indeed be one of the most promising area to evolve in the next few years.