Author: Julie Campbell

Augmented reality platform released by Audi with Somo

| May 20, 2013

Audi Augmented RealityThis new smartphone friendly experience will help users to be able to bring their brochures to life.

Audi has just announced the unveiling of its Audi Vision augmented reality platform for mobile devices, which will give consumers the ability to use their smartphones and tablets to bring the brochures to life.

The Audi Vision platform will be simple and straightforward to use for smartphone and tablet owners.

It is designed to allow the user to simply point the device at one of the vehicle manufacturer’s spring price and specification guides for 2013, and take a “picture” that will transform the printed pages of the brochure into a full augmented reality experience that includes additional pictures, video, and even more content.

The company hopes that the augmented reality experience will reflect the innovation of the brand.

According to the Audi UK national digital manager, Hugh Fletcher, “Audi Vision is the most innovative digital project we’ve undertaken to date and most importantly it supports a key developing trend in marketing; the overlap between digital and CRM. Applying Audi Vision to our brochures is just the beginning.”

Fletcher also added that over the years to come, the augmented reality Vision platform will be applied in a large number of different marketing channels, as well as to enhance both printed and digital materials, and to provide an improved in-center experience. He hopes that this will “allow Audi fans to really get under the skin of our cars.”

The augmented reality application was designed for Audi by Somo. It is available for Android phones and tablets, as well as iPads and iPhones. The global innovation director at Somo, Maani Safa, said that “Audi is leading the way in the AR sector, embracing mobile-first and placing it at the heart of its digital strategy. We are proud and excited to be helping them pioneer the next generation of digital marketing.”

When the Audi Vision augmented reality grabs onto any specific brochure that is used, it will not need a data connection after that point. This could make a considerable difference in the convenience and experience provided by the application for the consumer.

Mobile payments tablet POS debuted by Groupon after false start

| May 19, 2013

Groupon - Mobile payments are a goThe daily deal provider accidentally released its application early, but it is now available for iPads.

Although the element of surprise was no longer available following the false start of the mobile payments tablet POS app from Groupon at the Apple App Store, the application has now been officially released for use by businesses.

The company had previously released the app for download, only to take it back down again hours later.

Following the premature launch, the Groupon mobile payments app was added to the App Store for iPad once more. This application is a new version of its Breadcrumb POS solution. The company is hoping that it will help to broaden its footprint from being relatively limited to bars and restaurants, into all forms of brick and mortar company, instead.

This iPad mobile payments app launch has the potential to replace traditional cash registers.

According to the statement released by the Groupon vice president of merchant OS, Mihir Shah, “With this launch we can help every local business replace their outdated cash registers with a modern, affordable, money-saving tool that allows them to save on credit card transaction fees and run their businesses better.”

Beyond the Breadcrumb POS mobile payments launch, Groupon has also announced that it is rebranding its original point of sale solution – that is, the one that was geared toward restaurants and bars – as its Breadcrumb Pro solution. Both of the available solutions come with the Breadcrumb Payments feature, which allow for quick and easy credit and debit transactions for restaurants and retailers, alike.

Beyond mobile payments credit and debit transaction acceptance, the solution also provides a number of additional features, such as live support, next day deposits, and analytics. However, what many in the industry think will be the primary selling point of the service to businesses will be the guarantee of the lowest rates.

At the moment, Groupon’s mobile payments POS solution comes with a 1.8 percent, plus 15 cents per transaction, fee. Moreover, it also includes free processing for the first $5,000 that the merchant brings in through transactions in its Breadcrumb POS system.