Category: Augmented Reality Technology

These augmented reality wearable technology devices will be the next ones hit by ads and promotions.

Hipcricket, an expert in mobile marketing engagements, has recently revealed that its AD LIFE platform will now be supporting text messaging and website rendering for wearable technology devices, such as Google Glass and other types of augmented reality glasses.

The AD LIFE platform from the company is already being used by many different brands.

The platform is being used by international and domestic agencies and brands for the purpose of powering their mobile marketing campaigns. The goal is to enhance the interaction between companies and consumers through the devices that these shoppers are using the most. Though this had previously been smartphones, it has expanded over the last while to include tablets, and now wearable technology, as well. The platform offers advertising and analytics, all in one place.

Mobile marketing for wearable technology is becoming increasingly important as these devices take off.

According to Canalys, this year will be the year in which wearable technology will suddenly explode among consumers, with an estimated 8 million shipments of smartwatches headed in our direction. It was also estimated by that firm that this number will skyrocket next year to 23 million units, and that by 2017, that will have reached 45 million units.

Hipcricket has explained that wearable tech will be including everything from the iWatch, which is rumored to launch at some point this year, as well as the already existent Google Glass, and a range of different fitness and medical devices. This notable shift in consumer behaviors is expected to reflect the same one that occurred when there was a movement away from desktops toward smartphones and tablets. Now consumers are thinking even smaller and more convenient than those already small screens.

The Hipcricket chief operating officer, Doug Stovall explained that “We believe mobile will evolve to become seamlessly integrated with our everyday actions in the form of wearable technology.” For that reason, the company is ensuring that its platform keeps in line with the consumer preferred devices and will gear its mobile marketing capabilities in those directions.

AR is the next step that the major Canadian bank is doing to compete within its market.

Royal Bank is updating its mobile application to help to incorporate a number of new state of the art features to appeal to customers who enjoy location based mobile services, but with a unique twist in the form of an augmented reality app element.

All a user needs to do is to open the map in the application and the AR feature will display the results of the query.

The augmented reality app is meant to help to make it easier for customers to be able to find the nearest Royal Bank (RBC) ATM or bank branch. The AR function provides a live streetscape that uses icons to guide the customer to the nearest location, including the distance to get there. The key to this update is to make the location feature easier and more convenient for the customer to use.

The bank’s augmented reality app is only the latest in its many smartphone friendly options.

According to the head of the emerging payments division at RBC, Jeremy Bornstein, “Making continuous improvements to our mobile app to allow our customers a smooth user experience is a priority for us.” The tool that allows customers to locate branches and ATMs is among the most commonly used in the existing mobile app from the bank, he added.

The bank believes that by combining this popular feature with a live street view that incorporates various location based elements, it has enhanced the usability and effectiveness of this tool in a very practical and appealing way.

In order to use the augmented reality feature, the latest version of the mobile app is required. The “Find a Location” function needs to be opened and the icon the icon can be tapped to turn the smartphone’s camera feature on . The application then links the compass in the device with the live image and its location based service with the RBC location database in order to guide the customer to the nearest branch or ATM location.

That location is presented on the screen and then the augmented reality app provides on screen directions to bring the customer from his or her present location to that of the desired ATM or branch.