KISS uses augmented reality for new studio album
Legendary rock band KISS has teamed with Aurasma to bring their latest album Monster to live through augmented reality. The band’s 20th studio album will be its first to feature augmented reality and the content that will be contained within the album will be aimed at providing fans with an engaging experience. KISS fans will be able to see 3D animations developed by the band and Aurasma using their smart phones or other mobile devices.
Technology provides fans with digital content
Augmented reality often garners acclaim for its entertainment potential. The technology can turn nearly any static product into a highly interactive experience through the use of digital displays and dynamic content. Tech-savvy consumers have taken an acute liking to augmented reality and this has not gone unnoticed by KISS. Thus, the band teamed with Aurasma, a leading developer of augmented reality, to present fans with something new.
KISS far from pioneer of augmented reality
KISS suggests that Monster is the first rock album to make use of augmented reality, but this is not the case. Nearly three years ago, Portuguese band Blaster Mechanism released an album featuring augmented reality artwork called Mind At Large. Nonetheless, K
ISS is eager to promote the augmented reality capabilities of its new album and encourage fans to access this content using the Auramsa mobile application, which is available for both iOS and Android platforms.
Band may use augmented reality again in the future
KISS is not the first in the music industry to use augmented reality and it will likely not be the last. The technology has managed to win favor with the music industry because of its potential in marketing and consumer engagement. Consumers have responded well to the augmented reality campaigns that they have been confronted with from the music industry, adding fuel to the proverbial fire. KISS currently has no further plans for augmented reality that it has announced, but if fans show enough support, the band may opt to make use of the technology again in the future.
Yihaodian aims to open 1,000 virtual supermarkets throughout China
Yihaodian, a Chinese e-commerce company, has announced the opening of 1,000 virtual stores throughout China. These supermakers will inhabit empty spaces within cities, but will not have any physical products stored within. Yihaodian will make use of augmented reality in order to accomplish this task, enabling consumers to access a massive, interactive database of goods. Once completed, this will be the largest virtual shopping network of its kind in the world and could help spark similar initiatives in other countries.
Company hopes to exploit rampant popularity of augmented reality
Yihaodian is not the first company to attempt to establish a virtual marketplace in the real world. Others have made use of QR codes or NFC tags to accomplish this task in the past, but have been met with only modest and short-lived success. Yihaodian hopes to exploit the rampant popularity of augmented reality as a way to provide consumers with high quality service and ensure that the virtual supermarkets get the attention they need to become a success.
Unlimited Yihaodian stores to be stocked with digital goods
The supermarkets will be called Unlimited Yihaodian. The virtual stores will be located in 1,200 square meter rooms that will have a digital stock of over 1,000 items. Consumers will be able to see these products using a smart phone equipped with an augmented reality application. Purchases can be made using Yihaodian’s e-commerce platform, enabling consumers to skip long lines and get what they want in an efficient manner. Like other virtual stores, consumers will receive their products in the mail after purchase, usually the following day.
Yihaodian may succeed where others have failed
Yihaodian had attempted to bring virtual stores into the mainstream using QR codes. This endeavor proved informative, but largely fruitless. The United Kingdom’s Tesco had also launched a similar initiative in South Korea, where consumers were able to make use of QR codes to purchase products. This too was short-lived, with Tesco quickly taking down the virtual storefront and pursuing other avenues of e-commerce.
