Pokémon Go gamers shouldn’t leave home without a portable battery charger.
The incredibly popular and newly released AR mobile game Pokémon Go, from Nintendo and Niantic Labs, is a battery killer. Android and iOS smartphone users who have been playing the game have complaining about the drain it’s had on their smartphone batteries. It seems that anyone who wants to play the game on the go might want to have a portable charger with them if they don’t want a dead phone battery.
The game’s drain on a smartphone battery isn’t a big surprise.
Pokémon Go heavily relies on the use of a smartphone’s GPS technology and camera. These are two features that use a lot of power. Furthermore, for the majority of today’s mobile devices, the manufacturing focus has been placed on design and available applications. This means the efficiency required to handle all the new technology and features with which these phones are equipped and their battery life have taken a backseat.
While this wouldn’t matter for many other types of mobile games – as players can shut off certain power-draining features when they’re not needed – Pokémon Go needs these features to function if the player wants the true Pokémon trainer experience. The game relies on the phone’s sensors, camera and location-based algorithms to place Pokémon in real-world locations. As a result, smartphone battery life suffers.
Players who want to “catch ‘em all” may want to invest in a portable charger.
As brutal as Pokémon Go may be on smartphone battery life, the fact remains that this augmented reality (AR) game is popular for a reason. It’s unique, engaging and a lot of fun. Players who want to enjoy this game on the go – as it was meant to be played – may require an external battery charger. A portable charger will not only ensure that players can enjoy the game for longer, but they also won’t have to worry about not having enough juice to make or receive calls, texts or use other applications.
Niantic says it is aware of the game’s battery-drain issue and is working on a solution. However, considering the power-sucking processes on which the game relies, it is not yet clear how the company will be able to address the issue. Until then, for Pokémon Go players, a portable charger seems to be the next best solution.
Rimmel London’s Get the Look beauty app is bound to be a hit with makeup lovers.
The augmented reality app designed for mobile allows users to “steal” a makeup look from friends and even celebrities in magazines. Dubbed the “Shazam of beauty”, Rimmel’s newly launched 3D augmented reality (AR) application uses technology that enables consumers to digitally try out makeup styles. The AR tech identifies makeup on images and people, letting consumers match this makeup with Rimmel products that can be purchased online or in stores.
Mirror technology allows app users to virtually try on Rimmel makeup before buying.
The new app called Get the Look is based on Rimmel’s Get the Look Technology. It also uses the patent-pending FACE technology created by Holition. The AR tool utilizes advanced real-time tracking to detect makeup on the scanned subject. It can detect everything, including mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick, lip liner, foundation, blusher and bronzer. It also identifies skin textures and face shapes. If the app is used to scan makeup from one of the company’s competitors, the technology will automatically pair the consumer with similar Rimmel products.
The face-tracking technology within the app also tracks the movements of users. They can smile, turn and talk and the virtual makeup remains in place just as if they were looking in a real mirror.
The augmented reality app also lets users customize different colors and shades in real-time.
Users can easily capture looks from the street with their smartphones. They can then replicate the look on themselves via the app using Rimmel products. This interactive experience helps consumers to mix and match and find the look that they want.
“Make-up consumption has increased, and one of the main drivers of the market’s growth is that women have access to tutorials,” said Montse Passolas, Vice President of global marketing at Rimmel and Manhatten. “You used to need a make-up artist to know how to do contouring, and now you don’t, you go online, it’s so accessible,” added Passolas.
Rimmel’s augmented reality app provides a similar makeup artist experience. The cosmetic brand’s Get the Look app lets users still try on makeup before buying it online. The app is currently available for both iOS and Android and is free to download.
While this wouldn’t matter for many other types of mobile games – as players can shut off certain power-draining features when they’re not needed – Pokémon Go needs these features to function if the player wants the true Pokémon trainer experience. The game relies on the phone’s sensors, camera and location-based algorithms to place Pokémon in real-world locations. As a result, smartphone battery life suffers.