Navigating the complex but very efficient Japanese rail system either involves a native level understanding of the multiple train lines or a decent iPhone app, since I lack the former I decided to make do with the latter. There are many train apps available but I decided to buy the Tokyo Metro app because I wanted to test the augmented reality feature.
Augmented reality is a technology where information about your surroundings is placed on the screen of your phone. For example, using the camera and GPS unit on my iPhone the Tokyo Metro map is able to show on my phone the nearest locations to various restaurants and coffee shops.
To use the augmented reality feature in Tokyo Metro you first need to purchase the different databases that are available, such as American Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Convenience Stores, etc. Once your purchased database is loaded into your phone simply hold the phone up and activate the augmented reality feature.
Your camera will automatically turn on and icons representing the different businesses that are around you will appear floating in the image that your camera sees. If you tilt the phone flat the image changes to a directional arrow and you can use this feature to start walking to your destination.
Augmented reality is amazing technology but I found it to be lacking in accuracy. I’m not sure it’s the fault of the app or the GPS/Compass feature on my phone but I found many times the businesses that I was standing right beside were not appearing on the phone. I found that simply using the Google Map app on the phone and searching for the business produced a better result than relying on the Tokyo Metro app.
While augmented reality may have a ways to go the train feature of the Tokyo Metro app is excellent and for that alone I would recommend it.
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