Tag: ar mobile

Augmented reality may have a bigger role to play in mobile commerce

| November 15, 2012

 

Augmented reality set to mesh with mobile commerce

Augmented reality isAugmented Reality often considered to be a technology that primarily inhabits the realms of marketing and entertainment. In these two fields, the technology has become exceedingly popular. As augmented reality becomes more popular amongst consumers, retailers are beginning to see the potential of the technology beyond marketing and entertainment. A new survey from the Cardinal Group, a leading provider of shopping technology and security solutions for the retail industry, suggests that mobile commerce may soon merge with augmented reality.

Interactive technology growing beyond marketing and entertainment

Augmented reality often garners acclaim because of its dynamic nature. The technology can be used to bring a wide range of digital content to life with high definition, 3D displays. Consumers have come to enjoy the technology for this reason, showing favor for mobile applications that employ augmented reality in an entertaining and practical way. As consumers become more reliant on their mobile devices, augmented reality may begin playing a larger role in the field of mobile commerce, which itself has already become rampantly popular with consumers.

New survey shows consumers are interested in mobile commerce and augmented reality

According to the survey from the Cardinal Group, 55% of shoppers have downloaded a mobile application onto their device, with 51% of these consumers having made a purchase through such applications at some point in their life. The Cardinal Group also employed an augmented reality mirror, called the Virtual Fashion Mirror, at a recent London event, which was used by 87% of those attending. The survey also shows that consumers are growing increasingly interested in the capabilities of augmented reality in mobile commerce.

Future of mobile commerce may become more dynamic

Augmented reality could potential bring a new dynamic to the world of mobile commerce. The retail industry uses augmented reality to sell products in a limited capacity through virtual fashion mirrors similar to the one used by the Cardinal Group. These applications of augmented reality have proven effective in the past, but how the technology will be incorporated into the future of mobile commerce has yet to be seen.

Esquire launches new augmented reality campaign

| November 14, 2012

 

Augmented Reality shoppingEsquire campaign combines augmented reality with mobile commerce

Augmented reality is widely used as entertainment for tech-savvy consumers, or as a marketing tool to engage these people. These are not the only uses for the technology, however, and it is beginning to gain traction in the realm of mobile commerce and shopping. Popular magazine Esquire has taken note of the capabilities of augmented reality, both in terms of marketing and commerce, and has decided to introduce the technology into its November 20 issue.

Mobile app lets readers participate in mobile shopping

Using an iOS application called Netpage, Esquire readers can scan every photo, advertisement, and article that is found in the latest issue to initiate an augmented reality experience. When scanned, a PDF version of the content will be saved to a reader’s mobile device. This content can be easily shared and, in some cases, can be used to initiate shopping experiences. Though Esquire boasts of a digital edition made for the iPad, this marks the first time the publication has chosen to make use of augmented reality as an integration medium for smart phones and other mobile devices.

Augmented reality used by retailers for similar endeavors

This is not the first time augmented reality has been used for shopping. Retailers have been using the technology, sparingly, as a way to engage mobile consumers. Augmented reality mirrors — applications that allow consumers to try on virtual clothing — have been used by some retailers that specialize in fashion. The technology has proven somewhat popular in terms of shopping because of its ability to provide consumers with dynamic, context sensitive information.

Esquire campaign may boost interest in mobile commerce and augmented reality

The mobile shopping implications of the new initiative from Esquire could help bolster interest in augmented reality and the technology’s use in the field of mobile commerce. For now, however, the technology is likely to remain within the realm of marketing and entertainment, though that may change at some point in the future.