Author: Julie Campbell

Augmented reality iPad repair app launched by Volkswagen

| October 7, 2013

The automaker’s supercar is not only advanced on the road, but also in its mobile compatibility.

The Volkswagen XL1 is already being seen as one of the most advanced vehicles in the world, as well as being among the most fuel efficient, but now the auto manufacturer is taking the additional step of adding augmented reality to its repair manual in order to ensure that this automobile keeps itself on the cutting edge right down to the finest detail.

This additional mobile feature is available to iPad users for extensive ownership and maintenance information.

Through a partnership with Mataio, Volkswagen created an augmented reality iPad app that gives the device user the ability to view step by step instructions for the repair, replacement, dismantling, and reassembling of each of the 261-mpg supercar components. Although this is not the first time that an auto maker has added AR to its manual, this is by far the most extensive use of the technology as it has been applied for every intricate component and not just general information about basic maintenance.

The automotive environment lends itself very well to the use of augmented reality technology.

Metaio was selected for the augmented reality repair manual as the company is currently a leader in AR apps, from printer repairs to catalogs. Auto repair fit right into the type or project that they create.

Audi, corporate cousins of VW, have already released an augmented reality app that allows owners of the A3 to better get to know their vehicles and their features. This technology can also be very helpful in guiding mechanics around the complex component systems located under the hood of the vehicles, and that is just the additional step that Volkswagen has taken.

Before beginning any work on the Volskswagen XL1, mechanics now receive a set of instructions regarding the use of the augmented reality app so that it can be initialized for the specific task that must be accomplished. The mechanic is provided with a virtual silhouette of the vehicle which, when viewed through the iPad screen as a kind of viewfinder, overlays the image on the actual vehicle.

Once the augmented reality image is aligned, the mechanic is provided with a number of steps, including the tools that are required, tolerances, double checking real and virtual parts (in 3D relation to one another).

Social media marketing at Facebook to be toned down

| October 4, 2013

The popular online network has vowed that it will add a smaller number of unwanted ads in user Newsfeeds.

According to the latest social media marketing move from Facebook, the Newsfeeds for the users of this network will contain fewer ads for products and services that have no interest for the specific users.

This announcement was made by Facebook as it shared the changes it would be making in its advertising policy.

This was the most recent social media marketing effort at Facebook for refining its Newsfeed ads, which are growing in importance to its overall business. According to the statement from the company, “When deciding which ad to show to which groups of people, we are placing more emphasis on feedback we receive from people about ads, including how often people report or hide an ad.”

This is social media marketing decision was made in response to the number of ads being hidden by users.

Social Media Marketing - Facebook Ads to be toned downAccording to the company’s announcement “If someone always hides ads for electronics, we will reduce the number of those types of ads that we show to them.” Facebook has been using a number of social media marketing strategies to try to make advertising more central to the user experience without actually causing its 1.15 billion users to become frustrated with the service.

This is important, as social media marketing brings in approximately 85 percent of the revenue of this leading company. It is currently injecting one paid ad into every twenty of the user’s Newsfeed “stories” and has been doing so since July.

Although large brands such as AT&T and Toyota regularly advertise using Facebook’s social media marketing, the company also earns a considerable income from marketers of products such as teeth whitening kits and weight loss systems. According to analysts, some users are not thrilled about these less than fashionable ads stuffed into their Newsfeeds.

Analyst Nate Elliot from Forrester Research stated that Facebook will need to take careful steps in its social media marketing in order to keep the less glamorous ad category from becoming intrusive and that it might be better off leaving them over in the right hand side where they have previously been found, while the Newsfeed remains reserved for higher quality advertising.