Mobile World Congress: Mobilizy introduces concept for native augmented reality browser integration

Within the scope of the Mobile World Congress today, Mobilizy introduces Wikitude 4.0 for the iPhone, making the most up to date version of the augmented reality browser for smartphones accessible also for the Apple phone. The new app can now be downloaded directly from the iTunes store. Wikitude 4.0 is also available for Android and Symbian phones and showcases the Mobilizy concept of a native browser integrated augmented reality application for the first time.

By using Wikitude 4.0, the user is now able to see even more real-time information through the view finder on the screen of his phone. Geocoded data from services such as Flickr, Qype, Wikipedia, YouTube, Twitter, user generated content and the variety of 50 further so called „Worlds“ broaden the view on reality. Users have the ability to edit and configure these Worlds or fade in or out of them. That way, each user can create their own individual augmented reality on their iPhone. By visiting the website www.wikitude.me, individual augmented reality „Worlds“ can be created – simple and without having to apply any programming skills.

More information, clearly presented
It is vital that the large amount of information of Wikitude is made available in an intelligent and easy to use way. That’s why Mobilizy designed an entirely new user interface for the Wikitude 4.0 browser that convinces through its self explaning structure and easy handling. Toolbars, bookmarks and search history help each user to organize his personal augmented reality.

„Wikitude 4.0 is a very big step for us and for augmented reality as a whole. This version is very close to being a totally native integration for a web browser. AR is a lot more than just another marketing or navigation tool – it exists since people use technology to create worlds by using media, just like time stamps on photos, sound tracks of documentary films or special effects in movies. These are all examples of how aspects of reality are enhanced by adding additional and relevant information. Through the technological development of smart phones, factors like mobility, geological position and real-time computing play an important role as well,“ mentions Philipp Breuss-Schneeweis, CEO of Mobilizy.

Mobilizy drives standardizing of augmented reality
Being the provider of the leading augmented reality browser Wikitude, Mobilizy has set itself the goal to drive the standardization of augmented reality further. „Since augmented reality will be an essential influence on the way we perceive reality in the future, we are currently working on setting standards that define AR within the World Wide Web Consortium. That includes creating a special augmented reality mark-up language,“ says Breuss.

About Wikitude
Wikitude World Browser presents the user with data about their surroundings, nearby landmarks, and other points of interest by overlaying information on the camera-view of a Smartphone bringing information from the internet into context with the real-world.

Wikitude drive wins NAVTEC award
Just two days ago Mobilizy won the 2010 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge with their mobile LBS application, Wikitude Drive, which is a turn-by-turn navigation system based on NAVTEQ® maps that utilizes an augmented reality camera mode and text-to-speech instructions.

The Wikitude World Browser can be downloaded in Apples App store for free.

Wikitude World Browser for the iPhone:
Wikitude.me – Create your own world
Wikitude Press Infos

About Mobilizy:
Mobilizy is a pioneer in commercial augmented reality and the creator of the Wikitude World Browser, which is one of the first practical augmented reality (AR) mobile applications available world-wide. Wikitude Drive, an Augmented Reality Navigation System based on the Wikitude Browser, just won the EMEA 2010 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge. Mobilizy GmbH engages in the research and in-house development of location-based services and augmented (mixed) reality experiences for smart-phones. Mobilizy is one of the leading innovators in developing new methods and applications for data acquisition and exchange in the emerging market of mobile augmented reality. Wikitude is sponsored by the Austrian Wirtschaftsservice (Impulse Programme).

Media Contact:
i5comm for Mobilizy
Bernhard Lehner
bernhard [at] i5comm.com
+43 664 439 86 09