LG Optimus 3D gets augmented reality browser

The Optimus 3D becomes the first ever 3D smartphone to feature an augmented reality browser.

LG Optimus 3D, which is possibly the first smartphone to have a three dimensional screen, will also have a 3D augmented reality (AR) browser. LG Electronics has announced the inclusion of the AR browser in collaboration with Wikitude, an independent augmented reality browser developer.

With this, LG Optimus 3D became the first smartphone to feature a 3D augmented reality browser.

Augmented Reality (AR) is a real-time technology that overlays detailed information (such as graphics and audio) to the user's surrounding as captured through smartphone cameras and other devices.

The Wikitude 3D browser allows better interaction and engagement with real-time user environments. While 2D AR only displays overlapped objects, 3D AR takes it a step further while showing places, landmarks and objects in three dimensions, making them easier to distinguishable. The browser allows users to discover details about their surroundings and access related Wikipedia articles and Twitter information directly from within the application itself.

Online music service from Google

The service would allow the users to upload their music collection to the Google server and play it from any Android phone, compatible smartphone apps or even personal computer browsers.

Google is all set to unveil its online music service, similar to the Amazon's service that was launched in March, today. According to the Wall Street Journal, the service will work more like digital music locker. 

Users would be able to upload their music collection to the Google server and play it from any Android phone, compatible smartphone apps or even personal computer browsers. Users would, however, only be able to stream the music as Google would not allow downloads to curb music piracy.

Since both Google and Amazon haven't received licenses from major record labels, they would not be able to give users access to music stored in company servers. Apple is already talking to the record labels for getting required licenses to provide music services.

From outside, it appears Google would like to launch its music service before Apple. 

Indiatimes launches its SMS browser

It provides SMS Apps including Astro Zone, Bollywood, City Zone (local search), Contest Zone, Cricket, Dating Chat, Deals and Discounts, Devotion Zone, Facebook, and many more.

Indiatimes has launched its Insta SMS Browser that enable the users to access to its SMS content and services via a rich, interactive and graphical interface.

Users can simply scroll-and-click to view Indiatimes' content without having to enter or remember keywords or short codes. 

To download the SMS Browser, customers can either navigate to mobile.indiatimes.com/instasms or send an SMS with the text BROWSER to 58888 (SMS cost Rs.3). 

"There are around 575 million active mobile subscribers in India and most of them are still using low end or feature phones. Indiatimes' Insta SMS Browser is positioned to cater to such users and provide them easy access to content in an interactive manner without the need of GPRS data plans. We are working with OEMs to have Insta SMS pre-embedded in handsets so that users can easily discover and use the app," said Ajay Vaishnavi, director, telecom, Times Internet Limited. 

Launching across all telecom operators in India, the Indiatimes' SMS Browser provides fun, easy-to-use SMS Apps including Astro Zone, Bollywood, City Zone (local search), Contest Zone, Cricket, Dating Chat, Deals and Discounts, Devotion Zone, Facebook, Fun Zone, Love and Friends Zone, News Zone, Subscriptions, and many more. 

If users wish, they can also add Facebook, Orkut and other SMS Apps to the browser. The SMS Apps enable over 100 distinct informational and transactional requests. 

The Indiatimes' Insta SMS Browser is free-of-charge and is now available for download. Only a one-time download is required, thereafter, it uses SMS to communicate.