Layar

First version of Layar's augmented reality browser to run on iPhone, made in 2009 for the new 3GS and its compass. Layar was a start-up before funding, so the work was quick iterations: paper prototypes and rough builds for demos. They rushed to be the first on the platform.

For Layar we developed the first version of their innovative AR (Augmented Reality) browser on the iPhone platform. This version was built for the just-released iPhone 3GS using the accelerometer and the just available compass.

When Layar contacted us, they didn’t have a proper design team and had little experience with the development process. So we helped them with the interaction design for the iPhone platform, using paper prototypes and quick prototypes. And because at the time Apple hadn’t yet released a version of the OS which allowed for an easy overlay of the camera’s video feed, we had to improvise and manipulate their camera photo taking functionality.

At the same time, Layar, as a start-up, wasn’t fully funded yet and their product was in constant flux. Apple’s products, operating systems, and policy concerning the use of AR and the camera were also quickly changing. Apple’s confidentiality regarding pre-release software and new possibilities in their OS for AR made it especially challenging to develop for with the publicity that Layar was seeking in their pre-funding stage. These factors made it obvious we had to use an agile development process.