Augmented reality apps, like those powered by Qualcomm's Vuforia platform, are being used to help children learn to read.

CNN: CES keynote: Young people today are 'born mobile'

Mashable has a good rundown of 10 amazing augmented reality apps, though none manipulate a real-world scene quite as dramatically as Word Lens.

FORBES: Hot, New 'Word Lens' App Is Founder's First Project In Augmented Reality

But while it does a whole lot more than other augmented reality apps, it still looks like something you might try out a couple of times, then forget.

BBC: Aurasma: Augmented reality future or forgettable fun?

Designed for iOS, with an update that will include Android coming soon, this is the first Unity plug-in that allows developers to create augmented reality apps for physical devices.

ENGADGET: Orbotix launches new Sphero AR tools to get the ball rolling on development

There is much excitement in tech circles about augmented-reality apps.

ECONOMIST: Technology will become even more personal

Other technologies such as QR codes, augmented reality and smartphone apps are already competing to make virtual shopping and mobile payments a reality.

BBC: NFC - not for consumers?

With the ability to blend location-based data and online apps, augmented reality will offer entirely new experiences for users and create new opportunities for developers.

FORBES: Mobility Seeds The Cloud

Speaking of apps, T3 highlightts a new one that instantly translates text using augmented reality.

FORBES: Morning Tech Wrap: Mac Store, Nokia, Yahoo!