Devs Hacks iPhone API

[Michael Essany]

Image via zedomax.com

A team of crack computer wizards have pulled off quite an accomplishment. Marshall Kirkpatrick of ReadWriteWeb is reporting that the aforementioned group of "scientists" have crafted software enabling anyone to perform "on-the-fly analysis" of live streaming video on the iPhone.

Used alongside existing methods of displaying data on top of the camera's view, this new functionality signals a fundamental change in the kinds of Augmented Reality (AR) that iPhone developers can create. Existing AR apps, like Yelp, Layar, Wikitude and others display data on top of a camera's view but don't actually analyze what the camera sees. This new development changes that.

This hack-attack comes as welcome news to developers yet to have any luck convincing Apple to share the iPhone's private API for analysis of live-streaming video. The new software, however, is granting that much sought-after access.

This A-Team of iPhone hackers is composed of the geniuses at the Visual Media Lab at Ben Gurion University. They worked with HIT Lab NZ to write the code. Together they revealed the hack at the AR-specialist blog Games Alfresco.

In a demonstration video the team showed how software built on top of the now-exposed API could look at a 2D image drawn on paper and render the image in 3D. Then the 3D rendering is subjected to a physics simulation.

This news comes only a few days after the popular augmented reality app Layar released version 2.0 for the iPhone 3GS. Although Apple has warmed to augmented reality just a tad, it certainly isn't overtly gung ho on all things augmented reality. Needless to say, no one yet has a clue as to how Apple will feel about this hack from the folks at the Visual Media Lab at Ben Gurion University.

The possibilities here are huge. While location-based AR is clumsy at best so far, due to the imprecise nature of GPS and mapping data, these kinds of object-centric AR tied to the actual viewed world open up a whole new world of potential developments. Let's see what you've got, AR devs of the world!

[b4lyph]

Wow

[shawnie53]

Wow. This is such welcome news for the entire community. New apps anyone? I've always found it amazing how Israel, as a tiny war-torn country where there is a mandatory military service can contribute so much to the world, especially in the high tech industry. In any case, I really hope they reveal the source code for this hack so we can start developing!

[plcrules]

nvm i get it but wat if u live in like a small town would it still work?

[BlackG35]

I don't really understand what it means, but glad hackers are working for our benefit! thanks!

[damniphone]

.....ummm wat is it...good job if i can use it

[Melech518]

Interesting stuff...

[sixgen3sgte]

I don't really understand what it means, but glad hackers are working for our benefit! thanks!

Your making us car guys look bad lol

But this is awsome news. i can't figure out why Apple wouldn't release this information in the first place. aren't they all about inovation new technology

i think this is one of the coolest new technologies that can be applied to daily life

i can't wait for more AR apps to hit the app store

it just so much easier not to mention a whole lot cooler to find restraunts nearby.

And just think of how cool it be for an App to help you find awsome clubs in downtown ATL when your hanging out on saturday night

[NCMacMan]

Holy flying bat guano, Batman! This is awesome! You could make a 3d Physics interaction demo by just drawing a picture on a piece of paper? Imagine what else devs could do with this? You could literally put yourself into a 3d video game...

[imilad]

the guy in the picture needs to cut his nails :P

[awesomeSlayer]

That's good news. If Apple allows this in the App Store, then devs will have a good chance to have a bit more freedom in making applications.

[yomamashump]

When I saw "Devs Hacks...." I thought I was about to read an article about the new exploit to replace the 24kpwn that the new bootrom killed.

Then I saw API and felt disappointed. Although this is super cool, my jumping to conclusions kind of stole its thunder...

[driffty]

IMILAD,there is nothing wrong with his finger nails,if they were any shorter how would he pick his nose ?

[awesomeSlayer]

@driffy and imilad:

This is not about fingernails or gold digging. It's about hacking.

[nighthawk283]

I thoght the same that they were realing the expliot for the new 24 one

[santacruzlocal]

WOW ... Great Step forward

[MetallicaFan1991]

Don't really understand it...............but erm good?

[Fallguy]

I am sure this will come in handy to some folks , but not for me. That being said , great job guys ! Now if we can only get an app for cutting fingernails .

[xtremeshredder]

I am sure this will come in handy to some folks , but not for me. That being said , great job guys ! Now if we can only get an app for cutting fingernails .

Shouldn't there already be an app for that lol

Anyways great job hackers, its awesome to see a big step forward like this!

[squint0241]

Hopefully GeoHot will crack the 24kpwn and find a new exploit to keep us Jailbreakers in the game...