Bionic Eye - Augmented Reality (with no connection required)

I’ve been keeping an eye on augmented reality and the apps are getting better and better. Consider Bionic Eye from Presselite. it’s an update of app originally announced as “Nearest Subway” for iPhones (iPod Touch, and old iPhones, too - but with limited functionality since those don’t have the compass of the 3GS). The video says it best:

One point not made: only POIs with in 1km are shown in the augmented reality app.

The cool part, for me, this requires no interactivity (cell phone connection or wi-fi). All the data, including POIs which come with the app and pub transit stops for NY, Chicago and DC, which are available in app for an additional fee, are stored locally. Now, that’s great when you don’t have a connection, but it does mean the data are static. That in turn means the company (or another one)  can provide updates for a fee. The app is available now, for $1.

- Wired