Augmented Reality: SpotCrime App

1. Define AR & VR: Augmented reality is a way to use technology to redefine space, and it places a virtual layer over the world with geographic specificity ensure a good fit (Drell, 2012). In other words, augmented reality is a direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment where it is supplemented by a computer-generated sensory that is put in by things such as sound, video, graphics, or GPS data (Mark Graham, 2012). With the power of satellite and computer-based technology, it is easy to understand and see what is occurring near your surrounding area instead of having to get a newspaper or a paper map. Virtual reality is something that doesn’t add to our current reality. Instead it replaces it with something else, such as by making reality that doesn’t really exist. According to the video “Second Life - The Largest-Ever 3D Virtual World Created By Users” is a virtual world image where you are able to create and personalize your own avatar (Life, 2012). This is an example of virtual reality because it is where you can change and make your own world and create it as if it was reality. In addition, one great benefit is that you don’t have to leave your place of comfort to see the world. By having virtual tours, you are able to experience other worlds easily such as the Sistine Chapel (Vatican).

2. Describe the App: The name of the app I chose is called SpotCrime. The app provides real time crime information and crime alerts that are present near your area. It will give you details on nearby: - Robberies - Thefts - Arsons - Shootings - Arrests - Burglaries - Assaults - Vandalisms As well, the app allows you to report crime that is occurring around you and it gets stored and will get reported immediately. Once you are able to a crime near your located, there is an information button that shows up. Upon clicking that button, it directs you to the apps online website that shows you additional information on the crime such as, type, date, address, and sources. However, the app covers areas only in the US, United Kingdom and parts of Canada.

3. Is the App AR or VR? Augmented reality is a way to use technology to redefine space, and it places a virtual layer over the world with geographic specificity ensure a good fit (Drell, 2012). In other words, augmented reality is a direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment where it is supplemented by a computer-generated sensory that is put in by things such as sound, video, graphics, or GPS data (Mark Graham, 2012). SpotCrime app is an augmented reality because with its direct view of crime in the area it allows you to see what is happening around you. It obtains your location through the GPS data and it will give you a list of crimes occurring near you and it will provide full details of the crime from reliable sources such a crime stoppers and police databases. As well, it is an independent data and news company that maps the crime world. The features in the app shows augmented reality views of the criminal activity. By this I mean that it allows the public to see a live view of a real-world environment from a computer-generated imagery. The computer-generated images put a symbol on the map of the app where crimes have been committed within a range of 2 to 25 miles. Therefore, SpotCrime is an augmented reality because it pulls crime data from several resources to provide a map of nearby crimes with accurate information.

4. Where can the app be found: The name of the app if SpotCrime. There are two places the app can be downloaded from and that is the app store and you can see it online on a website: App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spotcrime+/id767693374?mt=8# Website: https://www.spotcrime.com/#86%20Seabreeze%20Crescent%2C%20Hamilton%2C%20ON%20L8E%205C9%2C%20Canada

5. Information about the App: What did you like? - The thing that I liked about SpotCrime is that you are able to report any crime immediately. As well if you are in an area that you are not familiar with, by opening the app you are able to see any crime that has happened. This allows the person to keep themselves safe because in the app it provides alerts on lose criminals in the area. What didn’t you like? - What I did not like about Spot Crime is that in the app I am not able to see the whole city at once and compare other areas. How do you feel it could be improved? - The way that I feel the app can be improved is by having popups on the app and on your phone when the app is closed to provide alerts in the area of any criminal activity. As well, there aren’t any settings to set according to our preference. Do you see a future for this app/site/technology? If so, what? If not, why not? - However, I do see a future for the app because since its free it will allow people to download it more and see crime happening in the area and it will allow people to prevent from being around that area. This app will increase and become more used by users because of its effectiveness, accuracy, and reliability of resources from the police department.

6. Conclusion: In conclusion, I believe that the app should be installed because it’s a safety feature that is accessible easily and available for everyone with a smartphone at the palm of their hands. It’s similar to a news channel where it provides information on crime, but this is just more advanced and quicker than a new channel. To download the app, it can be downloaded from the app store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spotcrime+/id767693374?mt=8#

7. Resources: Drell, L. (2012, 12 19). 7 Ways Augmented Reality Will Improve Your Life. Retrieved from Mashable: http://mashable.com/2012/12/19/augmented-reality-city/#sZ1IIaeWhsqb Life, S. (Director). (2012). Second Life - The Largest-Ever 3D Virtual World Created By Users [Motion Picture]. Mark Graham, M. Z. (2012, 08 12). Augmented reality in urban places: contested content and the duplicity of code. Retrieved from Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-5661.2012.00539.x/abstract Sartain, J. (2012, 09 24). Virtual reality: More virtual than real. Retrieved from NetworkWorld: http://www.networkworld.com/article/2159959/software/virtual-reality--more-virtual-than-real.html?page=1 Vatican (Director). (n.d.). Sistine Chapel [Motion Picture].