Add More Reality To Your Summer

In case your world needs a little added reality, you should check out one of these augmented reality apps, which are good examples of where this growing category is going. Here’s a sample of fun summer apps with augmented reality.

Golfing Meets Augmented Reality: Golfscape GPS Rangefinder ($19.99)
The brand new app from Shotzoom takes advantage of the new iPhone 4 features and original ones like GPS to bring augmented reality to your golf game. You point your iPhone at one of the 35,000 courses around the world and the app will provide overlays of hazards, distance to the green, and other useful data that could help improve your game. Be forewarned, you might need to bring a power pack to recharge your iPhone’s battery.

Ben & Jerry Will Augment Your Reality: Moo Vision (Part of Scoop of Happiness)
Not only does this app provide a countdown to Free Cone Day along with a Scoop Shop Finder, but the new Moo Vision feature provides lots of information about the pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream you’re pointing your iPhone at. It’s also getting attention from the advertising industry as the first app with “natural feature tracking” allowing more interaction with consumers.

Coming Soon: Keepie Uppies App
Now that the World Cup is over and you have a new interest in soccer, here’s an AR app that uses your camera and your own feet to keep a virtual soccer ball in the air. It looks kind of cool, but how well it works remains to be seen.

Toozla (Android – Beta)
If you’re summer vacation takes you to Moscow or to the other European cities this app supports, you might want to check out Toozla. It provides audio narration about things you’re pointing your phone at. It narrates hidden facts about places. It even tells you where the best local hangouts are located.