Augmented Reality Book And PodCast
Most of you probably know that late last year I decided it would be a good idea to write a book about augmented reality. I found a publisher and pitched the idea of a guide to mobile augmented reality and a feature on some of the amazing applications that are available. After some negotiation, the idea for the book became a book focused on building content for Layar, junior, and Wikitude.
I haven’t written code for a long time but surprisingly all three platforms were very simple to get to grips with. In a naive part of my brain, I thought writing would be like blogging. Monday to Wednesday I’d do some writing, Thursday go out for a couple of beers and do the edits over the weekend, job done 2 weeks, 1-month max. The reality was a long way from that. 8 months later I’m pleased to say the book finally goes to press tomorrow and will be available from late May. Having finished I feel like part of my life is missing and I have a huge void to fill. 8 months of coming home from work and writing until bedtime as well as spending the entire weekend trying to get sample code to work is a huge hole to fill. My evenings now feel like the last days.
Without doubt writing around 80,000 words about a technology that changes quicker than superman in a phone box has been the most difficult thing I have ever done. I’m considering writing a follow-up, there are so many new technologies that are about to become big, StringAR, Viewdle to name a couple but we’ll see. If you are interested in AR development and want to learn how easy it is to create AR Browser content for Layar, junior, and Wikitude as well as natural feature tracking channels with junior you can find the book here. Of course, you should come along to the Augmented Planet event in London on the 1st and 2nd June to hear first hand.
In addition to writing, I recently took part in a PodCast on the Future And You run by Stephen Cobb. The Future And You series is an interesting look at emerging technologies and how they will impact our lives.
