Samsung launches “Augmented Reality” smartphone

Richard Goodwin

Samsung has launched a new Android powered smartphone with augmented reality at its core known as the Samsung Galaxy Portal - or the slightly less memorable i5700.

The Samsung Galaxy Portal joins a growing number of Android handsets currently produced by Samsung - however, the Galaxy Portal comes with an added augmented reality twist.

The Galaxy Portal, or the Samsung i5700, comes with Android 1.5 and an added Layar Reality Browser application that provides detailed visual guides of your current location using augmented reality technology and GPS - which has got to be a little heavy on the 3G data!

For those unfamiliar augmented reality, the basic premise is that any search criteria, such as a pub or a restaurant, is instantly shown a virtual map that pivots and changes as you move - think of the motion targeting guns on Aliens and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what it’s like.

Specs wise, the device features a 3.2-inch 320x480 touchscreen display, has a 3.2 megapixel camera and supports HSDPA 3G connections of up to 3.6Mb/s as well as Wi-Fi.

In addition to this, users can upgrade the device’s storage to 32GB via a MicroSD card slot. The Samsung Galaxy Portal ships with a - rather meagre - 1GB SDcard to get you started though.

The Samsung Galaxy Portal is available on T-Mobile for free when you sign up for a £23 per month 18 month contract.