KISS uses augmented reality for new studio album
Legendary rock band KISS has teamed with Aurasma to bring their latest album Monster to live through augmented reality. The band’s 20th studio album will be its first to feature augmented reality and the content that will be contained within the album will be aimed at providing fans with an engaging experience. KISS fans will be able to see 3D animations developed by the band and Aurasma using their smart phones or other mobile devices.
Technology provides fans with digital content
Augmented reality often garners acclaim for its entertainment potential. The technology can turn nearly any static product into a highly interactive experience through the use of digital displays and dynamic content. Tech-savvy consumers have taken an acute liking to augmented reality and this has not gone unnoticed by KISS. Thus, the band teamed with Aurasma, a leading developer of augmented reality, to present fans with something new.
KISS far from pioneer of augmented reality
KISS suggests that Monster is the first rock album to make use of augmented reality, but this is not the case. Nearly three years ago, Portuguese band Blaster Mechanism released an album featuring augmented reality artwork called Mind At Large. Nonetheless, K
ISS is eager to promote the augmented reality capabilities of its new album and encourage fans to access this content using the Auramsa mobile application, which is available for both iOS and Android platforms.
Band may use augmented reality again in the future
KISS is not the first in the music industry to use augmented reality and it will likely not be the last. The technology has managed to win favor with the music industry because of its potential in marketing and consumer engagement. Consumers have responded well to the augmented reality campaigns that they have been confronted with from the music industry, adding fuel to the proverbial fire. KISS currently has no further plans for augmented reality that it has announced, but if fans show enough support, the band may opt to make use of the technology again in the future.
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.
