Heat launches new augmented reality initiative to enthrall tech-savvy readers
British entertainment magazine Heat has launched an augmented reality competition that tasks readers to scan British currency for a chance to win even more British currency. The competition was developed alongside Engine Creative, a digital advertising and marketing agency, and will coincide with Heat’s 2012 RIchlist segment, which documents the highest grossing celebrities under 30 in the United Kingdom. Readers are being encourage to scan banknotes for a chance to win as much as $700 in cash from the magazine.
Competition gives readers a chance to win money by scanning money
Readers can scan banknotes using the Heat Extra mobile application. When a banknote is scanned, a digital animation will be triggered on their smart phone or similar mobile device. These animations feature some of Britain’s most famous celebrities, such as Harry Styles and acclaimed singer Adele. After the animations have finished playing, consumers will be provided with details on how to enter for a chance to win cash from the magazine. The augmented reality competition will begin when the nest issue of Heat magazine is published on October 23, 2012.
Heat and Engine Creative continue producing digital campaigns
Heat and Engine Creative have been working together for some time now. The duo have created numerous digital campaigns in an attempt to reach out to readers becoming more enthralled with mobile technology. Indeed, Heat has been eager to appeal more to mobile consumers due to the fact that these people are forgoing traditional forms of media, such as magazines. Print may be becoming more unpopular, spurring publications to find ways to engage a generation that is no longer interested in static content. Augmented reality could be the key to capturing the attention of these consumers, as it presents publications with a way to provide dynamic content.
Augmented reality successfully engaging tech-savvy audience
Heat has made use of augmented reality in the past, with the help of Engine Creative. The magazine’s use of the technology has been largely well received by readers, especially those who favor their mobile devices over traditional mediums of entertainment. These consumers have been convinced to purchase physical copies of Heat magazine so as to access the digital content that is embedded within its pages.
NFC technology not so easily exploited when it is turned off
NFC technology is becoming a more common feature in mobile devices. The technology is used often in mobile commerce and advertising as a way to facilitate convenient services and reach out to consumers. For these purposes, NFC technology has proven itself quite effective. The technology is, however, exposed to the risk of exploitation from hackers. It is also a major drain on a smart phone’s battery, especially if it is used for mobile commerce and social networking.
Turning off NFC could save battery power
For those with NFC-enabled Android mobile devices, turning off NFC technology is fairly simple. Those that do not conduct mobile payments or engage in data exchange regularly can actually see some major benefits from turning off the NFC capabilities of their mobile device when they do not plan to use them. Turning off the NFC technology embedded in the phone can help reduce the strain on the mobile device’s batter, allowing it to remain charged for a significantly longer period of time. Turning of NFC connectivity can actually make a mobile device
much safer as well.
Security boost through turning off NFC
NFC technology is quickly becoming notorious for the lackluster security features that are native to it. The technology is completely benign in the sense that it does not have robust security features or any glaring security faults that could put a user’s information at risk. The applications and services that rely on NFC technology, however, do have some serious security shortfalls that do put this information at risk. When consumers do not plan to make use of these applications and services, turning off the NFC capabilities of their mobile device may help mitigate the risks associated with mobile commerce and other NFC-based services.
Battery mileage varies from device to device, but security still a serious issue
The impact NFC technology has on the life of a battery is highly dependent on the mobile device in which the technology is installed. Personal tests are advised for those that want to get a better understanding of what the technology will do to the battery of their own device. Because NFC technology works at very short range, the security implications can often be overblown. Nonetheless, the security issues inherent with many NFC services and applications are still cause for concern and consumer should take steps to protect themselves.
