Tag: augmented reality

Wearable technology is gaining a lot of momentum, but does it have any real value? There are a wide range of wearable devices that are set to be released in the coming years, some more innovative than others. Some of these devices promise to change the way people see the world, while others are designed simply to make it easier for people to keep track of their personal information. Some believe wearable devices are nothing more than novelty entertainment tools and others argue that these devices are likely to have a major impact on society, quite literally affecting the way people interact with one another in the future. The real question, however, is this: What do wearable devices do that smartphones can’t?

The question is somewhat complicated. Conventional mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are loaded with a wide range of features that are interactive in nature and designed to make people’s life somewhat more simplistic or enjoyable. The majority of these devices can be customized to suit a person’s particular needs through the use of mobile applications. Augmented reality apps can change the way people see the world, and fitness applications can help people keep track of their physical activity. Other apps can be used to manage finances or find deals at local stores or they can be used for navigational purposes. The problem with smartphones and tablets, however, is that they can only be held and not worn.

Wearable devices can do everything that conventional devices can do, but they do so in a different way. Augmented reality glasses, for example, allow AR applications to be somewhat more intuitive. The benefit of these devices, however, if that they can be operated hands-free, in most cases. Many wearable devices that are being released in the coming months feature voice recognition controls, but the responsiveness of these controls is dubious, especially in crowded areas where many people are talking at once.

Currently, wearable devices exist as a sort of novelty. These devices do not yet do anything more than what can be accomplished with conventional devices. In the future, wearable devices may be more robust, but whether or not they will be able to compete with smartphones and tablets is difficult to say for sure.

The new Fusion series will not only feature the highly popular Lego kits, but they will be in digital form.

When the fall arrives, this year, a completely new Lego kits series will have been released and it will use augmented reality to move the designs and constructions of a creator – young or not so young – out of the physical world and into the digital one.

This new series will be called Lego Fusion and it is already generating massive hype.

Simply said, the augmented reality Lego looks extremely cool! While the actual use of AR technology for a game is nothing new, particularly for children, mobile app developers are always coming up with new and unique ways to produce an interesting and attractive experience. Another example of a game that combines the real and digital worlds for a children’s toy experience is with Hot Wheels. They use a tablet to be able to enhance their racetracks with some spectacular visual effects to go along with the racing experience of the toy vehicles.

It isn’t just toy companies releasing augmented reality apps for a new entertainment experience.

For example, McDonald’s – the fast food chain – has previously launched their own AR game, alongside their new mascot (often labeled as creepy or even terrifying). However, when it comes to the game experience as a whole, it looks as though Lego has seriously stepped things up from its predecessors.

The Lego Fusion series will be making its way to stores in August and in September. It is iPad compatible and gives the user the ability to create a three dimensional building out of a single wall, and to allow players to be able to bring their characters and their environments to life in massive battle scenes on their living room floors.

So far, there are four games that have been confirmed as a part of the upcoming Lego Fusion series. They are Create and Race, Battle Towers, Town Master, and Resort Designer. Though there hasn’t been a great deal of detail provided regarding each specific game, the names do make it clear what their themes will be.

These augmented reality games will rely on special cards for positioning the camera, and then the user can simply begin building and playing.