Rock. HP is playing around with augmented reality technology that allows you to tie audio messages to a physical location. Ultimately I'd like to see this sort of system tied into display technology such that you can create virtual objects that exist in real places.

Tom: "Rock. HP is playing around with augmented reality technology that allows you to tie audio messages to a physical location. Ultimately I'd like to see this sort of system tied into display technology such that you can create virtual objects that exist in real places."

For me, the most interesting parts of the article are these:

"A universal open messaging system also raises questions about privacy and the reliability of information. [Description of self-promotion.] [Developers] say prototypes ... will help them deal with problems of privacy and security. ... a paid service [to] guarantee authenticity and usefulness. ... embedd[ed] ... personal profiles ... only allowing acceptable people ... refuse to release your exact coordinates ... "the attractive features outweigh the drawbacks."

How is this system going to be secured? Can't one just supply false coordinates and post/read anything regardless of location? If a message is posted on private property, does this constitute trespassing? In what ways is it different from posting a physical sign at some (public? private?) location, then leaving? Can the next guy that comes along remove or replace it? How about standing at a location and repeating a message (instead of having the technology do it for you)? You can expect new legislation because of this, but at first, existing laws against graffiti, littering, trespassing, etc. will be used to try to remove or block messages.