Augmented reality to promote Far Cry 3
Augmented reality continues to make waves in the world of print, as some of the world’s most prolific gaming magazines announce that they will be using the technology for upcoming cover stories. Xbox Magazine, Playstation Magazine, and PC Gamer have all announced that they will use augmented reality for special editions of their covers featuring the upcoming game Far Cry 3. To accomplish this, the magazines have teamed with Aurasma, a leading augmented reality platform.
Future US sets sights on interactive technology to engage readers
Future US, which owns the magazines, has decided to use augmented reality in order to engage readers in a more dynamic fashion. The technology has proven itself capable of accomplishing this feat effectively in the past in numerous marketing campaigns. Future US believes that the technology can help bring new content to the audiences of the magazines in a way that they will enjoy and help generate hype behind the looming release of Far Cry 3.
Readers will be able to access exclusive content through special edition covers
Playstation Magazine will be the first to run its augmented reality cover on October 23. Both Xbox Magazine and PC Gamer will run their covers on November 6. Readers with smart phones equipped with the Future AR application will be able to access the digital content that is contained within the covers of these magazines. This content will range from exclusive video footage of the game to interviews with the game’s developers.
Augmented reality may help print remain relevant
When it comes to games, augmented reality is most often used as a gimmick to provide some novelty entertainment to gamers. The technology could help print establish a foothold in a time where most consumers favor their mobile devices over traditional media. Though magazines have managed to hold some favor with consumers, many publications are still feeling the pressure caused by the advent of mobile technology. Thus, these publications must find ways to adapt if they want to continue being relevant with their audience.
MetroPCS now supports Google Wallet
Google Wallet has finally won the support of MetroPCS, a mobile service provider in the U.S. The company is one of many service providers that offers the new Samsung Galaxy S III. Like others in its industry, however, MetroPCS did not support Google Wallet, meaning that consumers with the powerful new smart phone were unable to make use of Google’s mobile commerce platform. That has changed, now that Google has struck a deal with one of the few companies that still do not support its platform.
Google continues work to improve mobile commerce platform
Google is keen to get as much support for the Google Wallet as possible. The mobile commerce platform has been available for little more than a year now, but has not yet entered the mainstream. Google has been working to resolve many of the issues that plagued Google Wallet when it was first launched last year, going so far as to introduce a new cloud computing structure that provides more security for the platform.
More Galaxy S III users now get access to Google Wallet
Google Wallet has proven somewhat popular amongst consumers and fans of the technology company, but many have been unable to use the platform because of two big problems. The first is the fact that many network operators do not support Google Wallet, thus making the platform unavailable to consumers in these networks. The second, and perhaps most serious problem is the limited availability of NFC-enabled mobile devices. The Galaxy S III was expected to bring NFC technology to more consumers around the world and help expose them to mobile commerce. The smart phone accounts for only one NFC-enabled device, however, in a market that is thriving due to diversity.
Google to clash with Isis
The support of MetroPCS is considered a significant victory for Google’s mobile commerce plans. Google Wallet will soon clash with Isis, an as yet unreleased mobile commerce platform that has already garnered a great deal of support from financial institutes. Isis is backed by AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile, giving the platform immediate access to a wide range of consumers.
