Nokia // Point And Find
This new service from Nokia will enable users to point their cellphone cameras at stuff to get additional information on their phone.
Point at a movie poster and watch the trailer, read reviews and check showtimes in your neighborhood. Oh, and we can get you there with directions to the cinema, too. When out shopping simply scan a barcode with your camera phone to get the latest product information and read dependable reviews. And we’ll show you where to find the lowest prices online.
Point & Find compares the image in the viewfinder with a set of image properties in a database and the user’s location. The technology is basically an easier-to-use barcode or QR application that will require partners to extend the experience. Point & Find will initially only be available on Nokia handsets but there are apparently plans to extend it to all camera phones with basic GPS capability.
“There is a lot of physical media out there – billboards, posters, restaurant menus, building – they could turn into a doorway for more information,” says Philipp Schloter, general manager for the Point & Find program. “This makes the connection between the digital and the physical world.”
This is of course a great idea and indeed it does bridge the (tiny) gap between digital and physical world – but it has limitations. Initially the tech will rely on you being attached to the database right? That relies on a good connection, so unless you find WiFi or have a free data plan that could be expensive, especially if you are traveling, which is realistically when these things are more useful (when do you most need Google Maps on your iPhone?). Nokia, as we know (sorry Nokia), has a limited interface and is sadly know as being pretty clumsy when it comes to this kind of tech. It’s interesting that the plan is for Point And See to be rolled out across other devices – but I imagine most will already have their own proprietary technology, and one that won’t have been build for S60 (Nokia’s OS).
Be interesting to see how this technology fares. I love Nokia for doing this stuff and bringing it to the masses (early), they are a genuine leader in that respect. I’m just not sure how ready everyone is for it, especially if the experience isn’t as seamless as it might be on another platform.
See also:
Comments
Leave a Reply