Filed under: Software, Internet Tools, iPhone
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):
- Grab the app here
- 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.
- A message appears indicating that you've activated "Monocle." That's what they call the AR feature.
- A monocle button appears on the top right of the app. Press it.
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.
Gallery: Yelp's Augmented Reality Feature
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Howard Yermish said 5:12PM on 8-27-2009
Just wanted to let you know that it worked for me too. Yes, you need to hold the camera very still otherwise it is jumpy, but it is a cool experience and will certainly be a neat trick to show friends when looking for a restaurant nearby.
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Andre said 5:12PM on 8-27-2009
So far nothing happens when I shake the phone. Should I be on a particular screen?
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Andre said 5:13PM on 8-27-2009
Never mind, got it (one shake).
Rainer said 5:20PM on 8-27-2009
I had to shake the phone a few times ... but it works. This augmented reality feature is going to be big. WOW.
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garethwa said 5:22PM on 8-27-2009
Works after a couple of attempts. Very shaky, but lots of fun.
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blueruckus said 5:30PM on 8-27-2009
I'm on a 3GS with Yelp up and running. I'm at work shaking my phone violently over and over but nothing is happening. My co-workers are starting to get really weirded out...
Chris L said 5:28PM on 8-27-2009
This might be useful if you could drive everywhere in a straight line.
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Ryan said 5:31PM on 8-27-2009
Its not very useful because its pretty hit or miss. It tells me that some restaurants are in a direction that I know for a fact they are not in (I even tried recalibrating my compass and refreshing), and if I tap a restaurant name the app hangs and never goes anywhere. Could be cool, but needs a lot of work.
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ruthvik said 5:56PM on 8-27-2009
I believe you can just go to settings > turn on monocycle
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M said 6:01PM on 8-27-2009
Finally got it working by installing over old app. It will not tell you a new update is available, but there is one.
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Matthew said 6:41PM on 8-27-2009
I've never used the app before, so I downloaded it. I'm shaking the phone vigorously and still can't get it to activate. Anyone found any tricks?
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Matthew said 6:45PM on 8-27-2009
OK, that was weird. Not sure what I did differently that time. It wasn't my typical shake gesture. More like up and down. But I'm in. Thanks for the tips!
luxuriouspunk said 6:57PM on 8-27-2009
I found that shaking thin ways(if that makes sense) does not work so great, shaking flat ways(like flipping a burger or bocca/tofu burger for the veegs out there) works best!
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Gregg said 8:13PM on 8-27-2009
Im shaking the hell out of my phone its not doing anything. I deleted the app and reinstalled it. Im a first time user
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Gregg said 11:35PM on 8-27-2009
Ok I finally got it. Damn I had to shake it alot!!
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Lefteris said 3:19AM on 8-28-2009
What is this stupid thing with "The item you've requested is not currently available in the "Greek" Store"?
So, it doesn't matter if I travel to the usa each month, but only that I don't have a usa account.
Same for tom-tom and many others!
I'd like to know the name of the person inside apple that took that decision! How lame!!!
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MarvelouX said 9:31AM on 8-28-2009
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 :)
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stevew said 5:33PM on 8-28-2009
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.
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Tyler said 10:10AM on 8-28-2009
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.
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Rick said 10:22AM on 8-28-2009
I've shaken mine 40+ times and nothing. What is the secret?
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