Billed as a "social data-powered GPS tool," Localscope is not the kind of thing you'll immediately figure out at first glance. Once you get the hang of it, though, the data-aggregating AR app is an extremely useful tool for getting acquainted with the area around you.
The app draws from a variety of data sources, combining inputs from your iPhone's GPS, along with information from maps, social media websites and search engines. Combining all those parameters, it allows you to get a clearer picture of the establishments in your surrounding area -- all easily accessible with a quick search on the app.
During first launch, Localscope gives you a searchbox and a list of common categories (e.g. Banks, Hotels, Restaurants…). Tapping on a list item or typing a search term will take you to a screen that displays nearby results. This can either be shown as a list, on a map or an augmented reality display (for the latter, you put the phone up and markers will be shown around what the viewfinder captures). While viewing the results, multiple icons appear at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to view results for that specific category or search term from a variety of web services (namely Google, Bing, Foursquare, Twitter and Wikimapia).
The actual app is sufficiently polished, with plenty of little touches that make interacting with it feel natural and very intuitive. There's also a pin option, so you can mark locations in the map (helpful if you don't like having to search all over again).
Overall, Localscope feels like a proper AR tool for finding locations and establishments within your vicinity. While it's not all that unique (you've probably tried some apps that do offer similar features), it's plenty useful for the 99-cent download price.
[Cynapse]
