Author: Julie Campbell

Augmented reality owner’s manual app released by Audi

| August 21, 2013

The auto manufacturer’s A3 now has a new mobile friendly guide for more convenient support.

Audi has just announced the release of its A3 eKurzinfo app that allows owners to use the power of augmented reality in order to obtain more information about their vehicles for maintenance, repairs, and an overall understanding of its features.

The app makes certain that a convenient copy of the owner’s manual is always available.

The augmented reality services makes it possible for drivers and passengers to avoid having to dig through the glove compartment and try to figure out where the information they require can be found within the grease dabbed print copy of the manual. Instead, a smartphone or tablet can be used along with the app to gain all of the information needed about a certain vehicle feature, or even about a light that has been illuminated on the dash display.

The app uses an augmented reality OBD2 scanner to identify over 300 elements of the vehicle.

While this service is not meant for making a diagnosis of a problem with the vehicle, it can help to identify over 300 different parts of the car and provide information about them. This is further supported with maintenance and how-to information.

The application was developed by Mataio, an augmented reality software company. It was created for Audi AG and uses both 2D and 3D tracking technology to allow the eKurzinfo app to provide a user with information about various parts of the car. To use it, the app needs to be opened, and then the smartphone or tablet camera must be aimed at the part of the vehicle to be identified or about which more information is needed.

The information provided by this augmented reality experience is designed to mirror what is available in the printed version of the manual. However, the benefit is that the application is designed to identify the applicable part on its own, which could considerably reduce the amount of reading and searching that could otherwise be required in order to pinpoint exactly what a part or issue could be. Moreover, the supporting information such as maintenance information helps to save the vehicle owner from having to Google it after having found out what it is, as it will already be provided.

Mobile security woes hold back smartphone shoppers

| August 19, 2013

Retailers have been working hard to encourage consumers to buy over their smartphones but still have barriers.

Recent reports are all consistently showing that as much as shopping via smartphones and tablets is growing, and retailers are pouring their resources into boosting their experience over these devices, mobile security remains a concern among consumers that is causing them to hold back from the true potential of the channel.

The focus, seems to be not only an engaging experience, but showing that it is a safe one, too.

Among the most recent reports, one has suggested that retailers are going to need to make a greater effort to convince shoppers that they have high enough mobile security to make it worthwhile to conduct their shopping activities safely online by way of their commerce sites. This could present a considerable challenge as this is a very new environment and many consumers hesitate when they are still feeling more comfortable using desktops and laptops.

The latest report has found that mobile security is one of the leading issues that causes shopping cart abandonment.

Mobile security and smartphone shoppersThe study was conducted by Jumio, which determined that among all m-commerce users, 65 percent will abandon their carts before completing their transactions. More than half of those people have done so because they have concerns over the mobile security that is involved in providing their sensitive data over their smartphones and tablets in order to complete a purchase.

One of the leading perceptions that remains regarding the use of smartphones and tablets is that there are serious mobile security issues related to them and that they are more dangerous to use in terms of the safety of sensitive data such as personal and financial information, than a traditional e-commerce platform over a desktop or laptop computer.

The same report also pointed out that 47 percent of its respondents who would have been willing to overlook certain mobile security worries struggled with the length of time that it took to load and complete the checkout experience over their smartphone or tablet. Over a quarter of the participants said that they had tried to make a purchase but that for some technical reason, they discovered that their order could not be placed.