Wikitude describes these different sources as 'worlds' and one way to use the app is to look at data from a single world at a time. Different worlds are useful for different things; Wikipedia gives a general overview, Flickr show you photos people have taken and Qype shows local business. There's also an 'Around Me' option that shows data, from multiple worlds, in your vicinity (i.e. it is a what's nearest me function).
But, perhaps most useful in day to day use, is the combination of pre-defined categories and the search tool. A search will draw on multiple worlds, but only shows you places directly related to your search query. So you can use it to search for a particular type of restaurant, or even a particular place.
The app works by using the phone's built in sensors (GPS, compass and motion) to work out which way you are pointing the device and displays the overlaid place icons accordingly.
Tapping on an icon will show summary information for that place in a panel at the bottom of the screen, with additional information (typically one or more of full text, images, and web link) one more tap away. There's also integration with Windows Phone's Bing Maps app, so that directions are only a single tap away.
In addition to the augmented reality view, Wikitude also provides a list view (sorted alphabetically or by distance) and a map view. Because of this Wikitude can easily be regarded as a local search tool that aggregates results from many sources, which also happens to have an augmented reality view for its search results.
Wikitude was previously available for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Symbian devices. The Windows Phone version has been well implemented, making good use of a number Metro design language elements, but it should also be familiar to those that have used the app on other platforms.
Wikitude can be downloaded for free from the Windows Phone Marketplace. Highly recommended; it's great example of what smartphones can do.
Description from Marketplace
Wikitude World Browser finds cool people, places and things and allows you to discover your surroundings in a completely new way. By using the camera, simply hold up your smartphone and explore what’s around you in Augmented Reality (AR).
Features:
- Find events, tweets, Wikipedia articles, ATMs, restaurants, user reviews and much more around you
- Experience places near you in augmented reality or show them on a map or list view
- Browse more than 150 million places and interactive content from more than 2,500 content providers or so called "Worlds"
- Explore and identify places and objects around you
- Search for specific places, for example "thai restaurant"
- Find mobile coupons and discounts for stores and shops near you