Nokia rolls out Point & Find beta

Point & Find uses the handset's camera to evaluate real-life objects

Nokia has unveiled a beta version of its new Point & Find service, which lets users find relevant information and services on the internet by pointing their mobile phone camera at real-life objects.

The beta is being released now in the UK and the US, and Nokia plans to roll it out to other regions in the near future.

"With Nokia Point & Find, businesses are able to target engaging experiences and calls-to-action to consumers," said Philipp Schloter, general manager of Nokia Point & Find.

"We believe that this first Nokia Point & Find service for movies will add something special to the cinema experience. Simply by pointing their cameraphone at a poster for a new movie, people can watch the trailer, read reviews and find the closest cinema where it is playing."

Nokia explained that Point & Find uses the handset's camera, mobile data and GPS positioning systems, combined with advanced real-time image recognition and processing, to evaluate the object.

By rapidly searching through a database of virtually tagged items, Point & Find identifies the object and returns a set of links to associated content and services.

The system can recognise posters, bar codes and category-specific text-entry search, and uses the phone's GPS to provide location relevant results.

The beta release of Nokia Point & Find is available to download for selected Nokia phones.