Tag: augmented reality

Ingress augmented reality game maker, Niantic Labs, is leaving Google

| August 21, 2015

The startup that began its life with the search engine giant is leaving its parent company.

The internal startup at Google, Niantic Labs, which is best known for having developed the augmented reality game app called Ingress, is going to step out on its own to become a company unto itself.

The announcement was made by Niantic Labs, this week, having first been mentioned on its Google+ page.

The announcement explained that Niantic Labs intends to head off on its own so that it will bring its “unique blend of exploration and fun to even bigger audiences.” That said, just because it won’t be a part of Google, anymore, it doesn’t mean that the two companies won’t be continuing their relationship. In fact, the creator of the Ingress augmented reality game app has already named Google as one of its prime backers and collaborators, “along with some amazing new partners.”

Aside from Ingress, Niantic Labs has also developed another mobile augmented reality game app.

Augmented Reality - Niantic Labs steps away from GoogleBack in 2012, Niantic had initially launched a mobile app that it called Field Trip. That application was created for Android device users. It functioned by assisting them in being able to discover nearby places of interest. Not long after, it put out its first version of the Ingress AR technology based game. In that app, players choose to be a part of one of two different factions, through which they are supposed to explore locations in the real world and help to claim them for their side.

According to the announcement from earlier this week, that game has already been downloaded over 12 million times by users of Android and iOS based mobile devices. Moreover, it has managed to bring over 250,000 people to attend various types of events that have been held worldwide.

Earlier in 2015, the developer also put out another augmented reality game app called Endgame: Ancient Truth. That app continued on for a number of months and linked in with the broader science-fiction based Endgame universe, including the books that were written by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton. The future plans of Niantic Labs, free of Google, are not yet publicly known.

Augmented reality shows tech-savvy consumers how bourbon is made

| August 12, 2015

Beam Suntory has used AR technology as a part of a new smartphone based experience for customers.

Beam Suntory, the bourbon maker, has now launched a new augmented reality experience that has been designed to show its customers how its bourbon is made, in a new, interesting, and innovative way.

The company is now using the BlippAR app as a part of its “The Bourbon Revival” retail program.

This program and the augmented reality experience are available to customers at liquor stores, featuring the Knob Creek, Maker’s 46, and Basil Hayden bourbons. According to the Beam Suntory senior director of commercial marketing, Michelle Cater, “The liquor store is a saturated environment, so we need to truly stand out in order to reach new consumers and educate shoppers on bourbon.”

This augmented reality experience has been created to work with any smartphone, regardless of operating system.

Augmented Reality - Bourbon MakingCater stated that “Based on our research, we know that new bourbon drinkers are eager to learn more about what makes bourbon unique. With augmented reality technology, we are able to engage shoppers in an immersive and interesting way.” This particular The Bourbon Revival promotion requires the BlippAR free app to be downloaded by people who wish to participate and view the AR features.

Once the app has been installed, the AR technology codes that are posted on bourbon bottles and retail displays can be scanned. The mobile app them launches the 3D content that will appear on the user’s device screen, displayed overtop of the user’s actual environment. This makes it possible for the user to be able to interact with the bottle and create hologram-like versions of recipes and cocktails that are based on the product that they have scanned.

The primary goal of this augmented reality experience is to work as an introduction for the consumer to the different bourbons from Beam Suntory. This AR technology based experience also allows users to be able to understand the history of bourbon, learn how it is made, and to know the difference between this drink and whiskey. In fact, it even provides a “Bourbon Matchmaker” feature, which matches an individual’s own flavor and drinking preferences with the bourbon that they are likely to enjoy the most.