Another project has taken shape over the past few days: GeoSpotter AR. The idea is to help put names to the places around you, such as a town in the distance. I originally called it ARMaps; GeoSpotter AR better describes what I’d like it to become.
I’m bringing together three ways to explore the same places: a map, a radar and a camera view with names overlaid. Search lets you choose a place and find it in the different views. Above all, I want the connection between the map and what’s in front of you to feel easy to understand.
There’s still work to do on accuracy and outdoor behaviour: the phone’s position and orientation make quite a difference. I’m testing augmented reality and a compass-based mode for devices that don’t support it. This app is also in development, with no release date yet. You can follow its progress here on the blog or read the project introduction.