The slow but steady momentum for augmented reality gaming continues to build thanks to devices such as the gyro-enabled iPhone 4 and Nintendo 3DS. Not to mention gizmos such as Parrot's AR.Drone.

And now US mobile tech company Qualcomm has announced it's getting in on the act too.

It's unveiled plans to offer an augmented reality platform and SDK to enable what it describes as "a new generation of vision-based augmented reality applications".

Due to launch in a beta version in the autumn, it will initially be made available for Android devices, and be free for developers.

It will also be backed with a $200,000 developer challenge for the best AR applications.

A different take

Qualcomm reckons its approach to the genre will be a great improvement over the typical compass and GPS approach currently used, thanks to the computer vision technology it gained through its recent Imagination Computer Services acquisition.

Support for the SDK will also be made available as an add-on to middleware company Unity Technologies' Unity for Android game engine.

"Augmented reality represents a quantum leap in the mobile experience," said Matt Grob, senior vice president of engineering and head of corporate research and development at Qualcomm.

"By offering a no-charge SDK with state-of-the-art image detection and tracking technology, we help developers create the new generation of applications that are richer and more compelling than anything seen on the market today."

More information is available from the company's website.

[source: Qualcomm]