Author: Stephen

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice launches augmented reality campaign

| October 22, 2012

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice targets tech-savvy consumers

Augmented reality has established itself as a powerful marketing tool and this aspect of the technology has not been lost to non-profit groups in the United Kingdom. The Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, a group devoted to the care and service of children with shortened life expectancies, has adoption augmented reality to reach out to high-tech consumers. Like most non-profit advocacy groups, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice depends on donations to continue providing service. The organization believes that augmented reality is a viable way to boost fund raising efforts and ensure such campaigns reach tech-savvy individuals.

Organization teams with Rother Print

The Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice has teamed with Rother Print, a printing services company based in the UK. Together, the duo will make use of the Layar augmented reality platform to develop a campaign that hopes to engage a multitude of cAugmented Reality Campaign to raise moneyonsumers. Through this campaign, consumers will be able to access digital content provided by the non-profit group and be able to make donations to  the organization online through their smart phones or similar mobile devices.

Augmented reality beer mats prove successful amongst consumers

Approximately 500 beer mats associated with the campaign are already in circulation in Travellers Rest in Laughton. Patrons can use their smart phones to activate the augmented reality content that is contained within these beer mats, which ranges from videos to text. The beer mats have already proven quite popular amongst patrons, many of whom have donated to the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice using their mobile devices.

Technology may help secure new funding

Augmented reality has proven that it can engage a wide audience of mobile consumers in the past. These consumers have also proven their love of augmented reality by engaging in the various marketing campaigns that have made use of the technology over the years. This marketing potential could translate into serious benefits for non-profits groups looking to engage a growing audience that often goes untapped in the world of advocacy.

Apple may be working on an alternative to NFC technology

| October 21, 2012

 

Apple NewsApple awarded patent for new technology

Apple may have caught a lot of flak for not including NFC technology in the iPhone 5, but the company’s decision to forgo the technology does not mean it is not interested in NFC. The next iteration of the iPhone may be equipped with NFC technology, or a nearly identical technology that is developed by Apple itself. This is according to a new patent that has been awarded to Apple by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Company receives harsh criticism for decision to avoid NFC technology

NFC technology is all the rage in the mobile world right now because of its capabilities in commerce and data exchange. Samsung has made headlines with its NFC-enabled Galaxy S III and Apple fans were hoping that the new iPhone would be able to compete on the same level as Samsung’s latest device. Apple fans were disappointed, however, when the company announced that the iPhone 5 would not be equipped with NFC technology. This led to harsh criticisms, but Apple is not abandoning the technology entirely like many have speculated.

Patent highlights technology very similar to NFC

According to the new patent, Apple is currently developing a device that makes use of a proximity technology, either NFC or one developed by the company itself. If the patent is not in reference to NFC technology, Apple will be developing something very similar that is capable of facilitating wireless data transfers between mobile devices. Speculation suggests that this technology would be included in the next version of the iPhone.

New technology may be suitable for Apple’s interests in mobile commerce

Apple chose to sidestep NFC technology due to concerns regarding security. The technology itself does not boast of any stellar security features, leading Apple to believe that its use in mobile commerce and data exchange is too ambitious. If Apple decides to develop its own technology, it will likely feature a variety of security measures that will make its use in mobile commerce more viable and appealing to consumers worries about the protection of their financial information.