Augmented Reality just keeps getting cooler. Recently, I downloaded an Android game called SpecTrek; it’s impressively well done. Since most Android phones (including my Epic 4G) have an accelerometer, compass, GPS, and camera, they have all the information they need to know not only where they are, but in which direction they are pointed. This allows CG objects to be inserted into the camera view window in real time — and suddenly, you’re surrounded by ghosts.

Spooky!

From there, the idea is both simple and awesome: move around, hunting down the ghosts. Point the phone at them to “scan” them (to determine what type they are), then move within 50m or so (this varies with game settings and level) to get close enough to capture them. If a ghost is in an inaccessible area (like inside a building or floating over an interstate highway), there’s a “ghost horn” to shoo away nearby ghosts into another area where they can be captured.

The game has a few GPS issues right now (which the developer emailed me back right away about, and is working on) — but even with a few glitches, it’s one of those rare games that make you think about gaming in new ways. I definitely recommend it to anyone with an Android phone with accelerometer/compass/camera/GPS. Search the Android Market for “SpecTrek” and try out the Lite version. The full version is only about US$3 — a bargain. The best part is that it’s fun enough that you don’t realize you’re getting exercise. (Just watch out for that tree; the ghosts can float through them, but you can’t!)