Imagine augmented-reality GeoGaming, in which people holding mobile devices could play laser tag or even lob intercontinental volleyballs for other players to “catch.” Or consider GeoAlerting, in which first responders could locate or send messages to disaster victims through their mobile handsets without needing to know their phone numbers. Scalable wireless GeoCasting, being tested at AT&T Labs Research, lets mobile handsets communicate without a cellular or data network by creating an ad-hoc 802.11 network on-demand.

Creative GeoCast applications could be used for games, training simulations, advertising or stressed network conditions -- such as disaster sites with the wireless network damaged.  In this video from this week’s 2009 AT&T Technology Showcase in San Francisco, Dr. Robert D. Hall, an AT&T Labs Research investigator, discusses his team’s work.

Hit “back to blog” above to see more from the showcase.