The ability to combine visuals from the real world with computer generated graphics - a process that's being called augmented reality - is being hailed as the next step in computer-human interfaces.
We've already seen interesting footage of augmented reality for games, and now an app is available that turns brings augmented reality to mobile phones.
Dubbed the world's first augmented reality browser, the application called "layar" lets users see realtime Internet data overlaid onto their phone screen.
In the demo video below, the phone's camera is slowly panned around a cityscape. As the image passes buildings and streets, dots and information boxes appear, showing data feeds about various buildings visible to the camera.
The current demo focuses on the browser as a way to quickly find things. In the video example, the user is able to search for a property by selecting buy or rent and a price range. As the user points the phone at the surrounding scene, relevant buildings that meet the criteria are highlighted. Select a property, and the user can see photos and location data.
At the moment the app appears to be more of a marketing and promotional tool, though if enough businesses signup to provide their data, it could prove an interesting way of finding location-based information in a hurry. The browser can also be used to search for bars, clubs, healthcare providers, jobs and ATMs.
The layar app is also another feather in the cap for the Google Android operating system, which is seen in HTC's Magic, G1 and Dream phones, as well as new phones from Samsung.