Augmented reality is a technology bursting with potential, and Nokia Beta Labs is helping to realise that potential with Nokia LiveView, an augmented reality browser that places an overlay of information onto the world around you right before your eyes!

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If you're not familiar with the concept, augmented reality (or AR) typically uses the camera of a mobile device like your Nokia smartphone, together with your location data to deliver an extra viewing layer of info on top of the pictures that your phone camera's lens is bringing to you on screen.

And Nokia LiveView beta is a fun and feature-packed AR service that's now available for Nokia users to try out from Nokia Beta Labs.

It delivers useful and practical info on what is around you right there on screen, such as the nearest restaurant or ATM. All you have to do is fire it up and point your camera in any direction.

You're able to select your interests from a long list of categories, so you can see exactly the info you want and not clutter up the screen. It's fully interactive, too, so if Nokia LiveView points out a restaurant across the road from where you are now, for instance, you can check out reviews online to see if it's worth crossing over. Or in the case of hotels, make a reservation then and there, and if the route isn't clear, get walking or driving directions.

It's another hugely useful addition to the range of software at Nokia users' fingertips, and Nokia LiveView is well worth the download. Just remember to leave some feedback to help Nokia's developers iron out any niggles ahead of the full version, and discover the kind of improvements you'd be interested in seeing in future versions.

The team has promised it will be monitoring the feedback and will respond in the Nokia Beta Labs forum.

Check out the Live View: Augmented reality video: