So far, I experienced few AR devices, mainly apple i-type devices and Nintendo 3DS. In Nintendo 3DS’s case, that is more for having fun, so it is not really serious about AR. What I experienced with my 3DS so far, is taking picture with my favorite Pokémon. On the other hand, iPad’s case, I used a program to locate zodiacs and the stars in the sky. Because this device has a system to sync my actual directions, it makes me easy to locate the stars I want to see. iPad’s camera is not strong enough to show those stars in the sky, but I can compare and point which star is which one.

            So far, when I try to locate stars, I need to carry my note PC close to the door, and run back and force in order to find out which star is which one. On the other hand, this application let me save a lot of time, and tell me the star’s name immediately. Plus, that program shows the movement of planets in the solar system. So it is very easy to distinguish between stars and planets. Few days before, I could locate one bright star I thought that is a star, but that was actually a Jupiter. I also downloaded Wikitude to try out, and this app is the one I imagined when I heard the AR first. This will overwrap the information above the camera screen. And show me how far from the building I am watching. This is very similar to the HUD in FPS or flight sims. AR devices can be useful if we use properly.

Below: How the Wikitude looks like?

However, tools and technologies do not improve our own motivations. It is said that “Guns do not kill people, people kill people”, now, I must say “AR do not cause problems, people cause problems”. It is necessary for us to educate ourselves in order to use those technologies properly. For example, In Japanese case, Japanese society accepted the Internet before they prepare and educate people how to use those technologies. And then, Japanese school kids start to use those new technologies to increase the efficiency of burying at the school. Some people use them to brainwash those kids with Nationalistic ideas. And even some criminals and rapist use those technologies to locate, and break in or destroy somebody’s house or property. If AR was released without any preparation (include the education and anti-criminal security), this technologies may give those people more opportunities to commit crime.