Blippar: a QR code killer?
We wrote about Blippar back in May before it launched, but now the app is out there and major brands are on board, we can see how well this alternative to QR works.
This week, Tesco has been running ads in several national newspapers, with 'Blippable' content for users with the iPhone or Android apps.
So is Blippar a better alternative to QR codes, or does it still suffer from some of the same drawbacks?
Back to the future: How Hollywood is fueling the adoption of augmented reality
Say what you will about Hollywood's lack of creativity, but the industry is decidedly innovative when it comes to movie promotion. Take augmented reality, for example. At the AR Immersion 2010 event in Los Angeles, execs rattled off examples of movie and TV studios using augmented reality (AR) to drive ticket sales, video on-demand purchases, and DVD sales at retail.
AR development firm Total Immersion hosted the event. Jason Smith, the company's manager of pre-sales and product marketing for North America, outlined three ways these movie and TV studios are making AR part of their marketing plans.
Nestle’s augmented reality game blends technology and fun with solid branding strategy
Augmented reality (AR) advocates say that it's time for companies to start adding the unique blend of physical and virtual interaction into marketing plans now. While some brands still appear mystified (and scared, perhaps?) of the technology, others are proving that AR can serve as a highly effective, interactive marketing tool. CPG giant Nestle is the latest brand to experiment with AR, using it to turn an ordinary advergame into a memorable experience.
Augmented reality: 10 real world examples from the superbrands
Exciting things are happening in the whizz-bang new world of augmented reality, which will surely hit the mainstream before too long.
Many of the world's top brands have experimented with AR recently, and while some of the first wave of apps are more gimmicky than useful, others certainly shine a light on what we can expect from this space in the months and years to come.
So, for your viewing pleasure, here are 10 augmented reality videos. I cheated on the headline as all of these are brand-led apart from the last one, which is a fantastic billboard ad that uses AR, and which once again proves that the Dutch know a thing or two about AR and mobile.
Can Augmented Reality be a commercial success for e-commerce?
Augmented Reality (AR) is the next keyword wet dream for the online industry buzz word bingo enthusiasts. As social media becomes more ingrained in commercial planning and the excitement fades into practical solutions, it’s inevitable that the new kid on the block will start to make headlines.
I think AR is an exciting development. However, behind the pomp that surrounds another buzz word, is there a commercial model that could make AR a practical tool in the e-commerce armoury?
I’m going to stick my neck on the line and say yes....
Augmented Reality [AR] – Enhancing the Usefulness of Mobile Local Search
Augmented Reality is used to intensify the truth, boost accuracy, supplement the concrete, and add-to the existent. It makes mobile local search better than ever before.
Yelp embeds augmented reality into iPhone app
Yelp's has cunningly added augmented reality functionality as a hidden feature in its existing iPhone app, for iPhone 3Gs users.
The Easter egg can be unearthed by simply shaking the app a few times (actually, to the amusement of my colleagues, I shook my phone for about five minutes before it decided to work). It's only available for the newer version of the iPhone because it needs to use the compass.
10 mindblowing augmented reality apps and videos
Augmented reality (AR) is an engaging way of combining live video with computer-generated data and visualisations. It is an area that has grabbed my attention lately, and it’s going to be a big deal.
Amazing things will happen in this space in the years to come, but what about today? Are there live applications out there already? Sure there are, although it is early days and many of these examples are alpha demos. Nevertheless, they truly shine a light on the possibilities with augmented reality.
I have collated a bunch of videos that highlight the opportunities with augmented reality. You will be able to use AR to create real-world applications that fulfil human needs in a way that still feels ever so slightly sci-fi. You can try out a number of these AR demos from your desktop if you have a printer and webcam.
I have to say that the possibilities for world-class mobile applications are really exciting, but the upside for brand marketers is also vast, as AR can improve on-pack promotions, point of sale, print and billboard advertising, and so on. And if you think this is all tomorrow's world, it isn't. Take a look at the Glasses Direct interactive video mirror, for an example of how augmented reality can play a role in helping improve your conversion rates today.
So sit back and tune into augmented reality. And have a think about what you might be able to do in this space...
Is augmented reality a mobile killer app?
Augmented reality (AR) could be the killer app mobile marketers have been looking for.
What is AR? Simple: the superimposing of computer-generated images or text on an image of the real world, as taken by the camera of a mobile phone.
