---

Mac: The future of mobile search

Mac Funamizu's concept from 2008 for mobile search using new hardware and augmented reality:

This is what I wish the internet search will be able to do with a mobile device in the NEAR future. Touch screen, built in camera, scanner, WiFi, google map (hopefully google earth), google search, image search... all in one device. Like this way, when you can see a building through it, it gives you the image search result right on the spot.

His concept also includes the ability to recognize, scan and process individual words from a document. I worked on a similar concept last year involving a simple hook into Google translate but the ability to process text via a mobile phone camera is a large hurdle to overcome.

It's amazing the pace in which these type of ideas have come in some shape or form come to fruition since the introduction of the iPhone. Though limited in scope and implementation, there are a number of apps. out there that help you identify aspects of the environment around.

See 17 Best Augmented Reality iPhone Applications, 10 Amazing Augmented Reality iPhone Apps and Digital Serendipity

Future of Internet Search: Mobile version

---