In a world where computers and video games open up more and more new worlds for us every day, it's not surprising that many people find real life too boring to bother with. They spend most of their time with their noses buried in their phones and tablets posting on various social media sites like Instagram and Snapchat. Parents despair over their children's unhealthy disconnection from reality, but thanks to a new concept called Augmented Reality, it doesn't have to be one or the other. You can interact with a happy medium somewhere between actual reality and complete fantasy and get the best of both worlds.

The basic principle behind augmented reality is that real life situations and interactions can be enhanced with the assistance of computer and information technology. Some of the earliest forms of augmented reality involved superimposing coordinates or map lines onto satellite images, projecting instrument data into the pilot's field of vision, and allowing video gamers to keep track of their stats in real time. We even see it every week during television football games in for form of extra lines, instructions, play information, and statistics superimposed on the playing field for the benefit of the TV audience. Something patients at a dental office can appreciate since it allows them to watch the game while getting work done of their teeth. Special thanks go to our page supporters: Builder's Choice air systems

Perhaps the most exciting application of augmented reality, however, is ScavengAR. ScavengAR (where the AR stands for augmented reality) is a heightened, ultra-modern version of the classic scavenger hunt that used augmented reality and GPS technology to guide players along the path of the game in the real world by superimposing tips and directions over the image of real life as seen through a cell phone or web cam. Since most imaging software isn't yet sophisticated enough to recognize specific locations in varied conditions, ScavengAR games make use of small square bar code markers than can be scanned by the user to access the AR information.

By using augmented reality, it's possible to follow an elaborate interactive story that encompasses some of a city's most famous and iconic landmarks without altering the real world more than hiding a few bar codes in unobtrusive places. Aside from a sudden influx of people with handheld computing devices (usually smart phones like the iPhone) ordinary people in the vicinity during a ScavengAR game don't even know that anything unusual is going on, which adds an extra element of mystery and secrecy that makes the game even more fun for the participants.

Several large scale ScavengAR games have been run in major cities over the past few years, including one using iPhone apps in Tokyo and another run in conjunction with this year's Sundance Film Festival. If you want to participate in an augmented reality scavenger hunt on your lunch hour, you can download the app onto your iPhone or Android device. Most apps are for a specific game in a specific city (usually at a set time) but some use Google Maps and allow you to play the game any time you want, sometime even with online participation from other users. Search your phone's app store under 'augmented reality' to see what your options are

Some businesses we know

Dufferin Rogers Dental Clinic Family Dentist & Dental Implants
2032 Dufferin St, York, ON M6E 3R5
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Trinity Family Dental Clinic Whitby
185 Thickson Rd, Whitby, ON L1N 6T9
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TPI Personal Injury Lawyers
2800 Skymark Ave #503, Mississauga, ON L4W 5A6
(905) 361-1500

Uptown Yonge Dental
2717 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4N 2H8
(416) 487-3333

Adelaide Barks Dog Daycare and Boarding
23550 Highbury Ave N, London, ON N0M 1P0
(519) 854-1214

Super Steam London Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning
1020 Hargrieve Rd #10, London, ON N6E 1P5
(519) 857-9444

Green Collar Landscaping and In-Ground Pool Installation
1632 Wilson St. West Ancaster, Ontario L0R 1R0
(289) 339-8746

Ike's Asphalt Driveway Paving Company and Paving Contractor
4288 ON-3, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K4
(519) 280-3122

Glenn D. Godfrey & Co. LLP Law Firm
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+501 223-3530

Elev8 Aesthetic Medicine Inc. Botox Lip Fillers, Microneedling and PRP for Hair Loss
123 Pioneer Dr Building J, Unit #2, Kitchener, ON N2P 2A3
(519) 748-7284

Davidson's Jewellers
790 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V6
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Easy House Loan Mortgage Broker
940 The East Mall Suite 202, Etobicoke, ON M9B 6J7
(647) 613-3279

Law Offices of Leonard F. Baer, PLLC - Elder Law Firm
1571 Bowery Rd, Highlands, NC 28741
1 828-371-0383

A to Z Storage, Self Storage Units, Boat & Car Storage
28607 Centre Rd, Strathroy, ON N7G 3H8
(519) 299-0179

Shamrock Pest Management
35 Walker St, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0
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Forest City Bounce & Party Rentals - Bouncy Castle and Party Inflatable Rentals
1020 Hargrieve Rd #10, London, ON N6E 1P5
(519) 200-0402

Copper Creek Construction, Decks, Sheds & Fence Contractor
43774 ON-3, Wainfleet, ON L0S 1V0
(289) 931-5074

ProXpedite Inc. Commercial Kitchen Installations
4226 Raney Crescent, London, ON N6L 1C3
877-776-9123

Cannect Home Equity Loans
1006 King St W, Toronto, ON M6K 3N2
(416) 214-9000

Cannect Home Financing Mortgage Broker
81 Navy Wharf Ct, Toronto, ON M5V 3S3
(416) 766-2666

Cannect Private Mortgages & Small Business Loans
33 Gladstone Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 3K7
(416) 766-2666

BA Custom Cabinets & Millwork
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226.304.2345

TNL Waste Bin Rental
669 Governors Rd E, Paris, ON N3L 3E1
(519) 717-0030

Atlantis Pools & Spas
23550 Highbury Ave N, London, ON N0M 1P0
(519) 471-2058

Cremation & Celebrations London
21574 Richmond St, Arva, ON N0M 1C0
(519) 963-4003

Savarino Brothers Garden Center
24670 Broadway Ave, Oakwood, OH 44146
(440) 439-5358

Kimmick Landscaping & Lawn Care Maintenance.
600 Oxford St W, London, ON N6H 1T9
(519) 473-0210

Green FX Landscaping Inc
100 Rexdale Blvd #201, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1N7
416) 747-7277

The Home Depot
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(807) 624-1100

Google Madison
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608-669-9841

Amazon Canada
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IGV Website Design & Marketing
341 Talbot St Suite 319, London, ON N6A 2R5
(226) 546-0015

Dezan Social Media Agency
1470 Dundas St, London, ON N5W 3B9
(226) 926-6332

Coach John
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(519) 671-5947

Jova Medical Aesthetics
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Vakili Psychological Services, ADHD Therapist
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403) 836-1967

Access Control Sales Ltd.
161 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5G 4T9
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Dr. Sparky Electrical Contracting Ltd.
10 Wingrove Woods, Brantford, ON N3T 0M1
(519) 760-0088

KW Beauty Spa.
176 Victoria St N, Kitchener, ON N2H 5C6
(226) 339-8735

Coeur Physiotherapy
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(587) 200-8992

Brant Aero
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