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Yelp iPhone app update brings augmented reality feature as an easter egg

Download Yelp's newest update on your iPhone 3GS, launch it, and shake your phone 3 times to activate new "Monocle" feature.

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Mobile | by C.K. Sample III | Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:08PM | 1 comment

  

Figures 1, 2, & 3: Augmented reality comes to Yelp via Yelp Monocle

Scoble first posted about this little hidden feature on FriendFeed a little while ago. Download Yelp for iPhone (free; direct iTunes link) or if you already have the app, simply make sure you have updated it to the newest version, which was released yesterday. Then launch the app and shake your iPhone 3GS three times (note: this only works on the iPhone 3GS). After it is activated you will get a little notification of activation as in Figure 1 above prompting you to look for the Monocle button in the upper right corner. Once you click on the button another notice comes up as in Figure 2 above, telling you how to reset your compass should it be in need of re-calibration. In Figure 3, you can see all the nearby locations that popped up on my iPhone 3GS when I turned towards them in my apartment. Pretty cool bit of augmented reality goodness. Thanks, Yelp!

Latest Tweets about this story:

  • crunchalerts - 'Augmented reality' fuses the Web and the world around you - Washington Post: Two popular iPhone programs, http://angstro.com/24100679 #Yelp
  • danielphillip - There should be a Yelp solely for iPhone apps. Srsly...
  • yourockbuddy - downloaded Yelp on iPhone. Get Yelp http://bit.ly/71UJw5. Get Chorus http://bit.ly/8p3CVN.
  • lostonroute66 - I don't know what's better? Yelp's Monacle or watching @JustinHerman doing the shakes and circles w/ his iPhone, trying to activate it.
  • Catalista_ - RT @media_maven: Catalista on #Yelp: Great iPhone/Droid app that let's you find Bay Area volunteer opps, sha... http://bit.ly/1TQDeA woot!
  • quintanomedia - @kerryrhodes if you have an iphone you should use the yelp application to find good restaurants
  • matthewvandyk - @farman Check out the iPhone Apps by @UrbanSpoon & @Yelp. Solidly cool #AR features. Also, I heard there's a prototype #AR navigation app.
  • ehuna - Fido Factor:a dog-specific local search and review site and iPhone app built for dog owners;it’s a 'Yelp'for dogs http://www.fidofactor.com
  • mdurwin - Yelp's iPhone app Monocle feature (3G[S] only) is my favorite app at the moment!
  • tederf - "The Ultimate Guide to Dog-friendly Locations - Fido Factor" ( http://bit.ly/4yWjJK ) - Yelp for puppies!! Great iPhone app

Get more information on topics relating to this story:


Related company news:
Yelp
Related glossary terms:
augmented reality
Related devices and services:
Apple iPhone 3GS, Yelp for iPhone

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C.K. Sample III external link (4:15 PM on Thu Aug 27, 2009)

This is really cool to use... I just wish my compass would actually re-calibrate correctly. All those places in Figure 3 are actually in the opposite direction of where I was facing.

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