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Mashable reports on a discovery that the latest update to the iPhone application from popular business establishment review site Yelp [App Store, Free] contains an augmented reality easter egg called "Monocle" that allows users to view business ratings overlayed on a video stream from their iPhone's camera. The feature is only compatible with the iPhone 3GS, which contains the necessary digital compass for properly assessing the device's orientation.

mike "glemak" dunn, Justin Davey, Daniel S. and 25 other people liked this Download the new Yelp app (came out yesterday). So you shake your iPhone 3 times. That activates a feature called Monocle. A message should come up if you activated it. A blue box will come up saying "the Monocle has been activated." It will create a button in the top right corner. Now you should be able to look at the bars, restaurants, etc. Only works on iPhone 3GS. - Robert Scoble

Several sources reported yesterday that the latest updates to the app Metro Paris Subway had (99 cents, iTunes link) appeared on the iTunes App Store, bringing it up to version 3.0. Amongst many nice new and updated features, this version also brings augmented reality to the iPhone, officially, for the first time.

This is a video of the first beta version of TwittARound - an augmented reality Twitter viewer on the iPhone 3GS.

This is a video of the first beta version of TwittARound - an augmented reality Twitter viewer on the iPhone 3GS. It shows live tweets around your location on the horizon. Because of video see-through effect you see where the tweet comes from and how far it is away.

"Using smart phones as navigation tools is all the rage these days, what with a slew of applications available for the iPhone and Android platforms that utilize those devices' built-in GPS systems in determining users' real-time location."

Using smart phones as navigation tools is all the rage these days, what with a slew of applications available for the iPhone and Android platforms that utilize those devices' built-in GPS systems in determining users' real-time location.

NEW COMPETITION

- London Tube is now available for the first time in the same application via in-app purchase. This option allows you to switch between the bus and underground systems at any time using the same application. This add-on includes the official London Tube map from TfL, locates the nearest Tube stations, and also offers a Journey Planner tool.

AR developers can't change the hype cycle, but they can position themselves to withstand the upcoming trough of disillusionment. I think it will come with the iPhone 3.1 launch, when users find that the mobile AR tech isn't quite at the level it's advertised to be.

Wikitude is number 6 in this lineup id ar applications. Very subjective selection process.

A lot of excitement has been building around a category of iPhone and Android (Android) apps, most of which have yet to be approved or released. They are known as augmented reality apps.

Apple won't let augmented reality apps into the iPhone App Store. Why? The answer might be patent application number 20090175499, called "Systems and methods for identifying objects and providing information related to identified objects". The first claim in the application is a doozy: A method of providing a user with information related to an object in real time comprising: identifying the object with a portable electronic device; establishing a communications channel with an external source; searching for information related to the identified object on the external source, acquiring the information via the communications channel; and enabling the user to access at least a portion of the information on the portable electronics device.

The browser uses awesome 3D navigation which you can see as you spin around. There is local data from property companies and big name brands which is represented in an augmented reality view. Holding it flat jumps to a Google maps view and when you spin around so does the browser to make sure you know where everything is in orientated.

Wherever you are, the nru mobile application ("near you") will work out your exact location and which way you're facing. It will then show you the nearest places to go, from bars and restaurants to cinemas and cafes. As you turn to face different directions, the view will change so you always know which way to go. nru gets it's content from Qype, the local search and recommendation website, and fonefood, the mobile restaurant booking service from lastminute.com.