Well, the title says it all, and this video shows it all, but if you are clamoring for more detail, check out Japanator.com
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Handhelds and Cellphones, nintendo 3ds, Visible Markers | 2 Comments »
Weekly Augmented Reality Linkfest
Posted on March 20, 2011 by rouli
Wow, this is my 400th post. Can’t believe I kept on blogging for so long.
- Whats the ROI of AR, and other questions in Zugara’s guide to augmented reality for marketers.
- According to Fast Company, augmented reality may be the killer app for iPad2 (via @Layar).
- Cool ad for Axe/Lynx body spray puts a scantily clad angel next to you in a London’s train station.
- Augmented reality application helps to break the ice in parties, but what’s wrong with the old name badges?
- Raimo van der Klein on the early history of Layar (as in 3 years ago!), and why context is the future of mobile applications.
This week’s video is a fantastic demo of Seac02’s Eligo SDK power to track 3d objects and overlay virtual layers on them. This gives the programmer the ability to “X-Ray” a model car:
Augmented reality Xray ARAY from Seac02 srl on Vimeo.
Have a good week!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Layar, linkfest, Seac02 | Leave a comment »
More AR HMD News – Laster Technologies
Posted on March 18, 2011 by thomaskcarpenter
I’ve been trying to get information from Laster Technologies on their AR glasses for about half a year. Then today, a little video popped up on YouTube showcasing their glasses. I don’t know much more about them other than what’s shown in the video, and I suspect the visuals we’re seeing on screen aren’t what you’d see through the glasses.
But it is the first sighting of them beyond product pages on the website, so I’m thrilled to pass it along.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: AR HMD, augmented reality, Laster Technologies | Leave a comment »
Popping Zits in Augmented Reality
Posted on March 18, 2011 by rouli
Hands down, this is the weirdest augmented reality game I encountered. Clic&Spot by French company Clic&Gain, is a game that adorns your face with virtual zits and challenge you to burst them as quickly as you can. Who wouldn’t this premise enticing?
The game is based on Total Immersion’s technology, and there’s even an iPad to win. Of course, an iPad is a small prize considering the trauma this game can cause you, but at least it gives you something to touch, other than your face.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Games, Magic Mirror, total immersion, web camera | 1 Comment »
Mirage HMD Augmented Reality System
Posted on March 15, 2011 by thomaskcarpenter
The HMDs are here!
The HMDs are here!
Okay, maybe it’s not that exciting, especially when you realize that the Mirage from Arcane Technologies is not a stylish pair of glasses or even some retro steampunk goggles outfitted with AR HMD gear. The unit looks so bulky and bland that not even Lady Gaga could make it trendy.
But it IS an AR HMD.
But really it’s made for industrial usage and not everyday street wear. Though I suppose, a truly hardcore AR enthusiast could augment their home and wear them safety inside without worrying about losing a chance to ever have another date. Again. Ever.
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The system comes with authoring software so you can customize your markers. I’d be curious if you could also use third party software like the Kinect to make it even groovier. The Mirage + Kinect could become quite an indie hardcore hit. However, since they don’t list the price on their website, I assume the cost is greater than even the most hardcore could afford.
Still, it IS another AR HMD on the market and to me we’re another step closer to stylish low-cost AR HMDs. I’m still predicting 2015 as my arrival date for said glasses, but hopefully someone will surprise me and deliver a product sooner.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: AR HMD, Arcane Technologies, augmented reality, HMD, Kinect, Mirage, Visible Markers | 2 Comments »
Total Immersion Yells, “First!” on the iPad2
Posted on March 14, 2011 by thomaskcarpenter
There’s always that one guy who posts “First!” on every comment thread. Total Immersion gets to be the lucky bloke to put the first augmented reality app onto the iPad2.
And I for one salute them.
The tablets are made for a better AR experience. While the magic mirror is strictly 2010 tech, I’m good with that, since it gives a new user a quick visceral experience with the technology.
Go, go, gadget Total Immersion.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: augmented reality, total immersion | Leave a comment »
Weekly Augmented Reality Linkfest
Posted on March 13, 2011 by rouli
To my many readers coming from Japan – my heart goes to you, and I hope your families are safe. It’s difficult to discuss “augmented reality” in the face of “tragic reality”, but I’ll do my best with this week’s linkfest.
- Technology Review: Turning augmented reality into an open standard – on Georgia Tech’s Argon.
- 2011 is the year of the tablets. yawn. 2012, though, may be the year of facial recognition.
- Zugara wins DEMOGod award for AR webcam social shopper
- Feng Shui made easy with mobile an augmented reality app.
- Sims creator Will Wright dipping into augmented reality?
- Drums lesson using projected AR.
This week’s video is a call for help to create the first crowed sourced AR music video. Led by students of Tokyo’s Temple University, fans of the British band Songdog are invited to contribute their own clips featuring an AR marker. According to their site (where you can find more details) “Augmented Reality is used to symbolize all that one can remember, but that is lost forever – you can see it, but you can’t touch it”. A beautiful idea that I hope will come true in spite of the unexpected challenges facing it.
Have a good week!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Argon, Georgia Tech, linkfest, Zugara | Leave a comment »
Live from GDC: Augmented Reality Games Are Here Big Time
Posted on March 6, 2011 by Ori Inbar
Augmented Reality games made a splash at GDC 2011.
From a first ever mention in a GDC keynote, through multiple dedicated talks, and major product presentations on the exhibition floor – augmented reality games are warmly embraced by the gaming industry.
1) Qualcomm’s talk and major AR presence throughout the event
Jay Wright spoke about the opportunities with Qualcomm’s AR SDK and showed examples of mobile AR games, applications, services and best practices for engaging new adopters. Qualcomm was visible throughout the event championing AR games, including a series of demos of AR games from their developer challenge presented on the show floor.
For an in-depth interview about Qualcomm’s offering check out this YouTube video
2) Ogmento’s talk and demo of its new geo-social AR game
Terrance Cohen and Oriel Bergig from Ogmento gave a fantastic talk – “Taking the Purple Pill: Lessons Learned Building a Platform for Social Augmented Reality Games.” Awesome job, guys!
The talk was accompanied by demos of never-before-seen technical and experiential achievements in this game. No video of the talk is yet available, so to get a sense of the game checkout the trailer:
Several other talks mentioned augmented reality as an emerging field such as Booyah’s Keith Lee.
3) Nintendo 3DS AR games demo
Archery – one of the best single card AR games I have seen so far, was available for playing on the show floor. The experience is distinctly different than any other type of games you can play on PC, consoles, or portables. 5 other games are in the pipeline and should hit the US market by the end of March.
Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo gave the main keynote of the event: “Video Games Turn 25: A Historical Perspective and Vision for the Future.” I was blown away when AR Games were mentioned as the first attractive feature of the upcoming 3DS.
I am pretty sure it was the first mention of AR in a GDC keynote EVER.
3) Augmented Reality demo on Sony’s Next Gen Portable
Sony’s next generation portable (code name for the upcoming PSP) was not available for playing at the event (you could only appreciate it behind a glass case), but a cool demo at a Sony talk (via Shack News) showed a little bit of its potential. And not surprisingly – AR was once again its main attraction – a full size dragon marching among the audience!
5) AR Drone made a return appearance
We are almost accustomed to seeing this fantastic use of AR with the easy to maneuver quadrocopter, in game industry events, and GDC 2011 was no exception.
6) Sony Move and Microsoft Kinect games
Sony and Microsoft presented a bunch AR games on Move and Kinect respectively – which by now almost feel like mainstream. Man, AR has made a long way since 2009.
So how does GDC 2011 compare with GDC 2010 and GDC 2009’s Tiny Spark of Augmented Reality?
In a nut shell: if in 2010 Augmented Reality made progress in mind share, in 2011 it’s making a significant impact on new products; it’s popping up everywhere. That is awesome.
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When will EVERYBODY at GDC be talking about AR?
When will AR games win major awards at GDC?
It’s coming real soon, don’t miss it folks!
Filed under: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Games Alfresco 