Author: Julie Campbell

Apple Watch may replace car keys, says Tim Cook

| March 4, 2015

According to the Apple CEO, its smartwatch will soon be a device people won’t want to live without.

The Apple Watch is expected to have its release date announced on March 9, at which time it will also likely reveal a number of additional details about this gadget, including more about its battery life, and how it may one day make car keys obsolete.

With a massive price tag of $349, the device will need to be impressive in order to convince people to pay.

That is the price that has been announced for the Apple Watch Sport version of the first smartwatch from the high end brand. The key will be to try to convince people why they will actually want the device in the first place. They will not, after all, be replacing traditional wristwatches, as many people stopped wearing those when they purchased their smartphones. Therefore, many people are wondering if having two smart devices on them at all times will simply be redundant. This is especially true because many of the features of the smartwatch will not function without being wirelessly connected to an iPhone.

According to CEO Tim Cook, the notifications are among the best reasons to get an Apple Watch.

apple watchCook explained that “I’m now so used to getting all my notifications and all my messages.” He went on to add that “It’s so incredible just to do this,” he said as he glanced down at his wrist, instead of having to take his iPhone out of his pocket. This could be quite convenient for a smartphone user. If a new notification arrives, it makes it possible for the smartwatch wearer to simply glance down at the wearable technology to see if the incoming call, text, email, or other type of alert is something that requires an immediate response.

The question is whether something as simple as notifications will allow these wearables to stand out from among many others that are already offering that type of feature, and if people will be willing to pay more for the Apple Watch than they would be for those from rival companies.

Can augmented reality convince kids to like their veggies?

| March 2, 2015

AR technology is being used to help to encourage children to make smarter eating choices.

Encouraging kids to eat their vegetables can be a challenging activity for parents and other child guardians, but a new effort using augmented reality technology has now been designed to help in this effort.

The use of technology through smartphones may hold the answer to making healthful eating more appealing.

A company called Powerful Plants is now providing fun and educational options that are designed to help to show kids that they can eat in a way that promotes a healthy body, while having a good time and enjoying themselves. This company goes above and beyond the simple sale of products that are interesting to kids. The packaging for those products is enhanced with augmented reality technology to help to make things even more exciting.

When viewed through an augmented reality app, the packets show vegetable characters that appear to come to life.

Augmented Reality - VegetablesThe Powerful Plants products, themselves, are seed packets that give kids what they need to be able to grow their own veggies in their own containers or backyards. Each packet comes with a character printed on it. When viewed through an AR mobile app, the cartoon character appears to come to life, moving around and talking.

The AR cartoon character provides the child with a number of fun facts about the specific type of plant that they will be growing, and that they will one day be eating. This provides the child with an education about the plant and the healthy food, in a way that is fascinating and fun for the0The combination of education and mobile technology has been increasing in popularity. Equally, a growing number of toys have been including mobile features as well as augmented reality, with companies including large brands and tiny one-product businesses working the tech into their offerings. In the case of Powerful Plants, they have managed to use this opportunity for both education and for play in order to make sure that the kid has fun, but will also take important information with them that will hopefully promote nutritious eating throughout their lifetimes.