The world's first 3D augmented reality browser to be debuted on a smartphone

LG is collaborating with augmented reality pioneer Wikitude to bring real-time augmented reality experiences to smartphone users in three dimensions.

Korean consumer electronics maker LG announced that its forthcoming glasses-free LG Optimus 3D smartphone would adopt the futuristic Wikitude 3D browser.



Wikitude's 3D browser enables users to view and engage with places, landmarks and objects, plus the additional layers of virtual data superimposed on top of them, in real time and in 3D.

"AR technology has been praised for its potential to replace the 'abstract' realities of standard mobile browsers with 'actual' reality streamed through the camera of the smartphone," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, CEO and president of LG Mobile Communications Company. "LG's cutting-edge hardware and 3D API software technology now pushes this reality a step further."

LG's Android-powered 3D-capable smartphone features a 4.3-inch capacitive touch, glasses-free LCD panel for autostereoscopic viewing, two cameras for 3D video recording and photos, and diverse connectivity options such as HDMI and DLNA.

While many smartphones already run augmented reality (AR) applications like Layar, acrossair, junaio and GraffitiGeo, they currently only serve up experiences in two dimensions.

Wikitude's 3D browser (the company also makes a popular 2D AR application for the iPhone, Android, Symbian, Bada and BlackBerry platforms) will provide information on more than 100 million locations around the world in 12 languages.

Wikitude 3D will be available for free from LG World, LG's dedicated application store starting from the middle of June.

The LG Optimus 3D will be available in Europe this summer. The device will be launched in additional markets shortly after.