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If you question whether augmented reality apps will ever amount to much more than as a tool for finding a nearby restaurant, then take a look at the newest app from the Museum of London for proof that with a little creativity, the technology has the potential to change our perspective of cities we live in or visit.

Museum of London: Streetmuseum is designed to bring old London to life as you walk its streets.  You check the GPS maps as you go and if the application has something to tell you about your surroundings, holding the iPhone’s camera up will reveal a key point in history overlaying the modern scene.  A tap of the screen will show you relevant historical facts too.

There is a degree of exploration needed to get the most from Streetmuseum, as some of its images depict places which no longer exist, but with some patience and a little detective work, the Museum says you can track down the locations with information contained in the picture.

To us, this sounds like a fantastic way to connect with London, without spending all day in the various – admittedly excellent – museums, as just like any other capital city, you only get a real impression by walking around it.

We can also see this catching on, as what city wouldn’t benefit from a similar application?  City breaks are big business in Europe, and time is precious on them, making an app where you can plan your own city tour ideal.

Museum of London: Streetmuseum is available as a free download from iTunes now, and you’ll need to own a 3GS to take advantage of the augmented reality option.

(via Crave)