Future:Media:Change

If there is one thing I’m more geeky about than Google WaveGoogle Wave, it’s Augmented Reality.  With the first few applications being launched this year, Augmented Reality has picked up steam and will continue to become another outlet for both consumer and advertising applications.  Is augmented reality something that non profits should get on board with?  Is this our chance to finally jump ahead of the technology curve?

Augmented Reality is a system that allows you to overlay information in real time over live video.  It’s essentially a way to place a digital layer of information over anything you hold your smart device up to.  One practical application that has been already released overlays the closest metro/subway stop on your phone.  There are many other creative uses you can take a look at to get a better idea of the technology as well.

Yesterday, Mashable.com reported that BrightkiteBrightkite launched what it calls the first augmented reality advertising program.

Brightkite has partnered with Best Buy to run augmented reality advertisements within the Brightkite app for Android and the iPhoneiPhone through the end of December. -MashableMashable

Since augmented reality is still in it’s nascent stages does the technology represent an opportunity for non profits to jump ahead of the curve for once?  As any good consultant would tell you, it depends.

Augmented reality technology right now is so new people don’t know exactly how to capitalize on it.  This obviously represents both an opportunity as well as a huge risk for resource strapped non profits.  The first thing that a non profit should look at is the their objective and audience.  If your community isn’t tech savvy or doesn’t have a high proportion of smart phones, augmented reality probably isn’t your best bet.  Then you should look at the benefits of augmented reality to see if it matches the need of your community.  If you’re Planned Parenthood an application that shows you where the closest health center is.  Or if you’re the NRDC you might want to overlay environmental information when people are taking a hike.  Augmented reality isn’t a magic bullet for community engagement but it does offer a very unique way of providing information to your audience.  Do you think augmented reality is right for your organization?

Update: Mashable just put out 10 amazing uses of augmented reality in marketing, Check them out!