Author: JT

Augmented reality competition launched by Heat magazine

| October 21, 2012

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.augmented reality contest

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.

Augmented reality comes to South Africa

| October 19, 2012

 

Augmented reality featured on cover of Rolling Stone

Augmented reality has come to South Africa. The technology, which is acclaimed for its ability to engage consumers with high quality digital content, has been experiencing a rapid rate of growth and adoption all over the world. Augmented reality is capable of providing consumers with a dynamic experience where they would have otherwise found nothing, which is part of the reason the technology has become so popular with businesses. This week, the South African edition of Rolling Stone magazine brought the technology into the limelight by featuring augmented reality on its cover.

Cover content unlocked using Layar

The cover of the magazine, as well as some of the pages therein, are embedded with digital experiences that can be unlocked using a smart phone. These experiences were crafted with the help of Layar, one of the world’s leading augmented reality platforms. Much of the digital content that consumers can unlock is concerned with musician Anno Carstens. This content, much of which takes the form of interactive video, can be seen using the Layar mobile application, which is available for both Android and iOS platforms.

Sony’s Wonderbook also arrives in South Africa

The magazine is not the only ship that brought augmented reality to South Africa. Acclaimed game maker Sony has also launched a new title called Wonderbook in the country. Wonderbook is a peripheral system for the Playstation 3, which allows gamers to experience augmented reality content. The first title that will be associated with the Wonderbook platform comes from prestigious author J.K. Rowling and will feature that magical spells that Rowling’s Harry Potter has become known for.

Country could become a valued market for augmented reality products in the future

Augmented reality is making waves around the world. South Africa is one of the latest countries to see augmented reality find its way into magazines and games. If consumers respond favorably to the technology, South Africa may become a primary market for companies that are interested in providing digital services and content based upon this technology.