The concept behind Location Amplifier is to allow people to rediscover how they are very much a part of the real-world environment that surrounds them, via the use of digital devices such as iPhone/iPod touch. Both Koozyt and Masayuki Akamatsu believe that through interactions that are specific to a certain location notions behind place/space will evolve and human perception will augment as location dependent interactions increase.
Location Amplifier for Tokyo Train is a native iPhone/iPod touch application that utilizes the PlaceEngine Local DB functionality (capability of estimating location offline) being developed by Koozyt. When taking Location Amplifier with you on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo, it can sense the moving direction of the train and the next station while automatically displaying station and additional nearby information. Also, you can set an alarm to make sure that you don't miss the station where you would like to get off.
Download the video for iPod/iTunes here.
Down load the video for iPod/iTunes here.
"Location Amplifier for Tokyo Train is an application that makes us remember what we have once forgotten." says the media creator, Masayuki Akamatsu, "it may sound obviously, but once we can feel from our pocket and hands that we are each holding unique positions in moving trains, we know that we're revisiting our own selves and not any abstract data nor blinking LED on the screen. I think what PlaceEngine does with Wi-Fi signals (and without online connection), is very close to skin level sensing. Just like reading the wind, feeling the air's temperature, or noticing the most delicate breath from the earth, it opens up a whole new consciousness to the people living in urban areas. I knew that I had to collaborate with Koozyt, the moment I realized that the first drop of water would eventually lead to an ocean. "
"I was looking very much forward to this collaboration with Mr. Akamatsu " says Taka Sueyoshi, CEO of Koozyt, Inc. "we knew that he had already been developing innovative applications for the iPhone. We hope to continue with this collaborative effort in trying to augment real-world situations with networked info with him, while searching to expand such activities with other artists and professionals as well. It is our ultimate goal to propose new values and to nonchalantly assist people's lifestyles."
