Real life hyperlinks

Hypertag is a way of allowing access to info and content on a mobile phone directly from objects like adverts and signs. It works by allowing infra-red mobile phones, and PDAs (e.g. Palm Pilots or Pocket PCs) to interact with a small electronic tag which is attached to the advert or sign.

To use the system, you enable the infra-red in your mobile phone and point it at the flashing lights. You wait a few seconds, and then a piece of content will be downloaded to your phone. This can be a word and number or a prompt to remind you of an important event.

The Hypertag website contains a list of mobile devices tested with this new technology. And according to Wired, 20 cinemas in London will install this technology by the end of July 2003.

Since location based services need to know the exact user's location, this technology allows for the perfect service: each tag is placed in a stationary location, with information relevant to that specific place or sign.