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Yelp for iPhone's hidden augmented reality feature


Earlier today I was reading about Metro Paris Subway [iTunes link], the first augmented reality (AR) app to hit the App Store and lamenting the fact that there wasn't an AR app for me to play with. Then we noticed this tip from Robert Scoble: It seems that Yelp for the iPhone has a hidden augmented reality feature. I downloaded the app and tried it out. I'm glad to say it works, but only on iPhone 3GS. Here's how to activate it (again, note that a 3GS iPhone is required):
  1. Grab the app here
  2. Launch it and shake your phone. Robert says you need to shake it 3 times. I got it working with one good shake, while other TUAW bloggers needed more than 3.
  3. A message appears indicating that you've activated "Monocle." That's what they call the AR feature.
  4. A monocle button appears on the top right of the app. Press it.
From there, the camera activates. Simply point your iPhone 3GS in any direction and take a look! I live out here in the middle of nowhere and was certain that I'd get a blank screen. Instead, Yelp found a number of restaurants, bars and other shops right away.

The screen is a bit jumpy and you've got to hold the phone REALLY still to get a good look. Plus, unlike Metro Paris Subway, the graphics depicting the different business aren't distinguishable (restaurant vs. bar, or example). Still, it's a lot of fun and a free way to play with augmented reality. Check out the gallery below for screenshots.

Grab Yelp [iTunes link] while you can and give it a try. Of course, we'd love to hear about your experiences.



Earlier today I was reading about Metro Paris Subway [iTunes link], the first augmented reality (AR) app to hit the App Store and...
 

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tylerel

Took me forever to figure this out. You must be on the "Nearby" screen to make it work

August 28 2009 at 3:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
soxneon

Shake it more than twice and you're playing with it.

August 28 2009 at 3:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Raul

A commenter on Cult of Mac got it going by holding the phone in one hand and tapping it against the other about six times. That's what finally worked for me. Thankfully it seems once it's activated, you no longer have to go through all the silliness.

August 28 2009 at 1:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wizzard

Got it after a lot of shakes.

August 28 2009 at 1:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
erick

is not working for me at all I have an iPhone 3gs, what version is this?

August 28 2009 at 11:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff

If only the Brewster Box Lunch still existed...

August 28 2009 at 10:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rick

I've shaken mine 40+ times and nothing. What is the secret?

August 28 2009 at 10:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Rick's comment
Richard

more of a rotate your wrist flick around the long axis of the phone for me.

August 28 2009 at 12:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tyler

My girlfriend *hates* my iPhone because I spend so much time playing games, etc, on the phone.

Yelp is the first application she saw and went "Wow." This thing is seriously cool.

August 28 2009 at 10:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
stevew

It works but the fonts are too small and the icons too jittery for me to read. Zoom, a damping of the motion and turn the camera off would be big pluses.

August 28 2009 at 10:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MarvelouX

I'm afraid but I've to point out that it's NOT Augmented Reality.
AR means objects recognition. Try the app, even the Metro one, point your iPhone to the ground you'll see the same information.

It's (just) the intelligent (way to) use of GPS + Compass and the fact that you see it through a camera view gives the impression of AR. It's the same as a map except you've got a live view. But it not depends on WHAT you see in your camera, just your iPhone magnetic orientation.

Real AR will come to iPhone by the end of the year maybe.

By the way, even without disclosure of the NDA, Apple doesn't allow you to analyze pictures coming from the camera view, you can just display it :)

August 28 2009 at 9:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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