Househunting can be such a chore. First would-be movers must pick the location, then schlep round estate agencies, either in person or online, gathering details, prices and dodgy images of what is on offer.
Wouldn’t it be wonderfully simple just to wave a magic wand and gather the information while in a desirable area? Soon it will be possible with a smartphone and Layar (www.layar.eu), a new free application from Dutch software maker SPRXmobile.
With it, househunters will be able to whip out the phone in their neighbourhood of choice and point it at the target street. Any house for sale that comes into view will be tagged, with full information and even a phone number, which can be dialled at the touch of an icon. Users will even be able to make a bid by phone.
Magic wand? Not quite. Layar uses Augmented Reality software, which is set to change the way we get information on the hoof. The current version works on phones running Google’s Android operating system and an iPhone-compatible version is planned for the near future.
Layar was launched in the Netherlands in June and there are plans to roll it out globally. The company is working with estate agencies in Germany, the UK and the US.
