“On August 18, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals one of the next chapters for Apple’s ‘Map + Compass’ iOS feature,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“In the future, you’ll be able to capture an intersection on your iPhone’s camera and do a search based on that image,” Purcher reports. “If you’re looking for the Golden Gate Bridge while visiting San Francisco, Apple’s Maps + Compass feature will be able to superimpose the directions from your current location to where you want to go. It will include turn by turn instructions according to Apple’s documentation.”
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Purcher reports, “Apple’s hire of founder and CEO of PlaceBase, an advanced digital mapping firm, illustrates just how eager they are in advancing Maps + Compass for iOS devices with augmented reality. In fact, in typical Apple fashion, their new augmented application features will go far beyond just software. Apple has clearly indicated that they’re developing a new interactive augmented reality 3D display that is considered to be a smart transparent display.”
Much more, including patent application illustrations, in the full article here.