Yelp for iPhone shows off an augmented reality easter egg
Download Squad has covered augmented reality apps before, both on Android and on the iPhone, but we speculated that it would be a while before AR became commonplace in apps people actually use. We might have been wrong about that, thanks to a surprise in the latest version of Yelp for iPhone. Shaking your phone a few times unlocks a hidden augmented reality mode called Monocle, that shows reviews for anything you point your camera at.There was some question as to whether Apple was going to be approving AR apps until an app called Metro Paris Subway was approved last week. Still, Yelp's hidden feature seems to be the first augmented reality software that works in the US. Overlaying a data layer on camera images could be the next big thing in restaurant reviews, in real estate, or in any number of other areas, and it's definitely something to keep an eye on, beyond just Yelp.
Our sister site, TUAW, has an excellent gallery of the Monocle feature.












Comments
3
Subscribe to commentsMichaelAug 31st 2009 4:03PM
It might be important to note that this is 3GS - ONLY.....so most people won't be able to use this. Why you guys didn't mention the most important detail about using this app in your blog post is beyond me.
ButtersAug 31st 2009 4:56PM
Are you sure that it only works on 3GS? The itunes store says it works on iphone and ipod touch running OS 3.0 or later and there seems to be plenty of reviews from people with iphones, that are not 3GS, that have it installed
wargamer17Sep 1st 2009 4:16PM
Yelp works with 3.0 on the 3G but it doesn't support the AR feature. Also, i'm curious, does the AR feature work in Canada as well? I only have a 3G so I can't test it.