Lenovo, Disney Launch Marvel AR Headset
Lenovo has once again teamed up with Disney to bring one of the studio’s iconic franchises to augmented reality (AR). After first launching the “Star Wars: Jedi Challenges” AR headset in 2017, the two companies are back with a new “Marvel Dimension of Heroes” experience running on slightly revamped hardware.
News of Lenovo and Disney working on this product was first reported by Variety in April.
Now called the Lenovo Mirage AR headset, the device once again relies on a consumer’s phone, and an app that can be downloaded for free, to super-impose pictures over their view of the real world. “You are still grounded in your world,” said Lenovo senior product marketing manager Wahid Razali. “You are bringing the heroes into your space.”
And while the first iteration of the headset shipped with lightsaber controllers, this new version comes with a pair of more generic grip controllers that can be used to power a variety of games.
See the full story here: https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/lenovo-disney-marvel-ar-mirage-heroes-1203324652/
What can theme parks teach us about smart cities?
Most are prioritising changes “under the hood”, using IoT and sensors to create more interconnected and cohesive systems for the benefit of inhabitants and to reduce costs.
Take Los Angeles, for example. The city is replacing 4,500 square miles of street lighting with stronger LEDs in a network that reports the maintenance status of each bulb. Additionally, Columbus, Ohio, is investing in initiatives that create sustainable transportation, reduce freight truck congestion using smart logistics, and improve traffic information delivery to its citizens.
Experience is everything
Like theme parks, smart cities benefit from a focus on the guest experience
At first glance, it may appear that theme parks and smart cities could not be more different. However, behind-the-scenes, theme parks are technology-heavy, complex ecosystems that must be run and maintained at maximum efficiency across the lifecycle of their operations. The goal of smart cities and theme parks is ultimately the same as too: providing a better guest experience even if the type of experience may differ.
It is no surprise that some greenfield smart city deployments are using Disney theme parks as a model to create new interconnected destinations, such as Elysium City in Spain. When finished, this initiative will include government buildings, a high-speed rail system, conference centre, data centre, sports stadiums, a marina and more, but the cornerstone will be a theme park to promote tourism.
See the full story here: https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/opinions/opinions/what-can-theme-parks-teach-us-about-smart-cities
Speedo launches AR app so you can virtually try on goggles
Speedo has launched an AR 3D face scanning app allowing shoppers “to interact with the product before they make a purchase”.
The Speedo Mirror mobile app scans the user’s face, then superimposes virtual models of swimming goggles on top to give an accurate 3D visual representation of how they would look.
The swimwear company, owned by Pentland Brands, has been testing the technology for the last two months, seeing 3500 users virtually try on 30,000 goggles.
See the full story here: https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2019/09/10/speedo-launches-ar-app-so-you-can-virtually-try-on-goggles/
drew label. Debuts Augmented Reality App and Street Art To Famous LA Landmarks
Art is riding on the crest of the wave of AR technology. Artists have used canvases, city walls, and now use mobile phones as a direct medium to express their artistic vision. drew label. has the spirit of DIY and a no limits perspective. The new augmented reality app exists in a unique era of art history. This is where tech, typically bound by code, has converged with boundaryless art.
Juanita: You have 15 art installations waiting to be found all around Los Angeles. Such a great idea! There are no city permits needed for AR. There is only artistic license! Love this.
drew label.: The thing I’m most excited about with AR art is what it represents. For the first time, we can reach our audience directly. Unless you’re one of the ten big-name contemporary artists, as I am not, your opportunities to show your work to the public are so small. AR changes all that. Now, we can reach anyone with a smartphone, with no middlemen or gatekeepers restricting what we can or cannot do. Now, we’re limited only by the things we can imagine.
See the full story here: https://arpost.co/2019/09/10/drew-label-augmented-reality-app-street-art-famous-la-landmarks/
Mall at Millenia Macy’s upgrades include virtual reality, Starbucks
Customers at the Macy’s store at Mall at Millenia can now sip coffee from Starbucks and don virtual reality goggles to see how furniture could fit in their homes.
The store at Mall at Millenia at 4200 Conroy Road is the first Orlando market Macy’s to offer virtual reality, according to Macy’s media relations manager Julianne Bartosz. The technology allows customers to create a virtual room with their own dimensions and pick furniture pieces to arrange in the space. Customers can then put on goggles and walk through the virtual space.
Other upgrades include LED lighting and updated flooring, fitting rooms and restrooms.
See the full story here: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-mall-at-millenia-macys-upgrade-20190909-vaczxektb5aefetokak5rjudkm-story.html
Importance of UI/UX design interaction and why it will matter for your business
User experience design is often used to describe the usability of an application or the user interface. The true meaning of UX design, though, goes far beyond that. It encompasses the entire process of software design and development. It includes branding, functionality, design, integration, and usability.
The designers must look beyond merely creating usable products. They also consider the user’s pleasure and enjoyment in acquiring and using the product. UX design is the process of building applications that are relevant and meaningful. Apps that users want to use.
So, how can UX design benefit a business?
Encourages the use of interaction
Generates loyalty
Generates recommendations
Reduces development costs
Reduces internal costs
Increases profits
See the full story here: https://e27.co/importance-of-ui-ux-design-interaction-and-why-it-will-matter-for-your-business-20190909/
Why aren’t brands using Google’s augmented reality wrapper?
I’m baffled by why so few brands seem to be using Google’s new AR wrapper. It’s a landmark product that allows both Apple (.usdz) and Android (.glb) augmented reality models to be inserted into a website via a single line of code.
know why people haven’t heard of the AR wrapper: Google didn’t make its function very public. My team only found out about it on a deep dive. ... It’s actually called Scene Viewer and was released back in May.
The AR wrapper also comes with a native 3D viewer. This is huge, as before we thought users would have to recognize an unknown icon to know that the thumbnail on the site is AR enabled. Now the experience just spins in front of them, like a beautiful lure, screaming to be touched. There is also an AR icon, but the 3D icon gives users a far more intuitive cue that the object is in 3D/AR.
See the full story here: https://venturebeat.com/2019/09/07/why-arent-brands-using-googles-augmented-reality-wrapper/
USING AUGMENTED REALITY AND ICT IN SUPPORTING ENGLISH AMONG RURAL LEARNER
The objective of this programme is to expose students to modern technology and to teach them about the new method to study by using gadgets. This event focused more on the English subject. At the end of the programme, the students who participated in the programme have enhanced their understanding on the subject through the activities conducted which has successfully achieved the programme objective.
See the full story here: https://news.utm.my/2019/09/using-augmented-reality-and-ict-in-supporting-english-among-rural-learner/
Sustainable art exhibit Arcadia Earth reflects on humanity’s ecological footprint
Founder Valentino Vettori and his team have been working three months straight to install the 15,000-square-foot pop-up in the East Village, which features 15 rooms of artwork by environmental artists. The catch? They all used only recycled and biodegradable materials to build their works.
"We wanted to show how we can upcycle and make beautiful things with recycled materials," Vettori told amNewYork this week. "I wanted to design it in the most sustainable way. At the end of this show, I want to walk away with the least amount of pollution."
Arcadia Earth, located at 718 Broadway, opens Friday and is slated to run for three months, before hopefully heading on the road, Vettori said.
Tickets are $33 and $27 for students.
See the full story here: https://www.amny.com/things-to-do/arcadia-earth-nyc-1.35620190