Augmented reality applications and games have been a gleam in the eyes of developers (and the promise of trade show charlatans) for decades, but with increasingly ubiquitous video cam inputs and tons of spare processing power, they are finally becoming a reality. Via Gizmodo:

Players interact with their virtual pet using a bundled card and camera. The card is used to bring up menus when placed in front of the camera that allow users to bring out toys and monitor their pet’s health, among other basic functions. Players are also able to play with their virtual critters by gesturing near the pet’s vicinity. EyePet is set for a holiday release—and from the first impression, it looks like it’ll be fun for the kids (the ones with allergies so severe they can’t have real pets).

Kotaku spent some time with the product (which is essentially intended for children) and has an interesting video.

Of course, Eyepet is not the first consumer-oriented “augmented reality” technology. One of the more notable recent efforts came from baseball-card publisher Topps. From an article in the Old Grey Lady herself:

Total Immersion, a French company, brought Topps the augmented reality technology. It has already been used in a theme park and for some auto design work. Using the technology, card collectors see a three-dimensional version of a player and can play elementary pitching, batting and catching games using the computer keyboard.

Read more (and check out the Topps 3D Live video) at the NYTimes.