Augmented reality for smartphones is seemingly the latest fad in the tech world. But the hype about augmented reality has been blown out of proportion. It’s a way of looking at the world through your tech device’s screen. In it’s infancy, companies have come to the niche in the market to develop apps for the iPhone and Android phones. The most popular augmented reality app is Layar Reality Browser.

After a several month hiatus from the Android market, version 3.0 has just been released. Fans of augmented reality have already been calling it the “Killer App of the Day.” Don’t be fooled, Layar Reality Browser is just another method of greater consumerism and hardly a reasonable information source.

Let’s say you’re in a mid-sized college town like I am. Here in Fort Collins, I turn on the Wikipedia Layer in the browser. My camera proceeds to turn on and show me an on screen radar and grid. I’m supposed to be immersed into the augmented reality. Instead of actually seeing the world, I see yet another screen — it’s mildly depressing. And if I thought the browser was going to truly change my perspective I ought to think twice. For instance, the only Wikipedia blip that results is Colorado State’s nearby stadium, “Hughes.”

Switching to businesses, I see a mildly larger population, with reviews, and a basic description of the food, service, etc. All the while, I reminded that I’m looking in a little box less than 4 inches, and the camera continues to shutter along while I comically lift my phone to face to look at a building or direction. I look like an imbecile. Perhaps this is the future of technology with these savvy technological devices, but count me out of this one.

Heck, if I want to look at review, location, and the type of food I’ll be receiving at a restaurant I use Google’s local search and/or a Google voice search with my Droid. Google has a highly developed voice recognition system that easily trumps Apple’s iPhone. Command your phone by pressing the mic, and simply say something like “pizza.” Google’s search is off to the rescue, cataloging the closest pizza places to your location, offering numbers, and addresses. And all the while, I don’t look like such an idiot.

Augmented reality is comparable to walking around with a metal detector. Interesting hobby, and I bet it produces a number of 43 cent finds, but is it really the future? I’d advise you to delete Layar Reality Browser after trying it out for yourself.

Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear what you think about augmented reality and Layar Reality Browser!

Tags: Android, app, Browser, droid, Droid Does, Layar, Layar Reality Browser, Wikipedia