Epson Technology Lets People Make Augmented Reality Greeting Cards
In Japan, Epson is offering technology that lets users make their own augmented reality greeting cards. The greeting cards come to life when they are placed in front of a webcam. Dvice says Japanese consumers have been using the technoloy to make end of the year greeting cards called "nengajo." There are some augmented reality greeting cards available in the U.S., such as these cards from Hallmark but Epson's printer technology that lets people make their own is not available yet in U.S. store. Here is a video (in Japanese) that shows how the technology works. Take a look:
Hallmark Cards has announced the release of webcam greetings, new cards that use augmented reality technology to bring the card to life on a computer screen. The person receiving the card can visit www.hallmark.com/extra and follow the directions to be able to view a 3D animated feature by holding the greeting card up to a web camera.
"As Hallmark embarks upon our next 100 years in business, it's important to continually identify new ways to help amplify the emotions our consumers feel when experiencing and sharing our products," said Monic Muldrew, associate product manager. "With the experience available through these cards that come to life with a webcam, we hope consumers will fully explore and interact with this fun new way to connect."
You can see an example of an augmented reality Hoops and Yoyo Valentine's Day card in the video below.
Augmented Reality Used in Upcoming Line of Avatar Cards
Dvice is reporting that products from Coke and McDonald's that tie in with the upcoming James Cameron film, Avatar, will use augmented reality. A helicopter will come out when Coke cans are held in front of a webcam. Cards available at McDonald's will unveil controllable 3-D Avatar images when users put them in front of a webcam and visit the Avatar website. The video below shows how the augmented reality technology works in the upcoming line of Avatar cards. Take a look:
The buzz about Augmented Reality (AR) is building quickly. The technology allows users to view a digital layer of information on top of what is really there. For example, you could wear an AR-enabled headset that allows you to see the street addresses of every building you look at or you could wear an AR headset at the baseball game and see the score and information about the current batter. AR also allows animations and videos to come to life using a webcam. AR has already been applied for use in baseball cards, books, business cars, navigation, zombie games, music videos and even location your car in the parking lot. You can find out more about what augmented reality is here, here and here.
CNN shows some augmented reality in the video below including an example of an iPod application that lets you find the closest fast food restaurant by looking through your iPod. There are also applications that add AR layers for finding banks or determing who received bailout money. CNN also shows you an AR digital pet game you can play with using a webcam. Take a look:
New Michael Jackson Book Uses Augmented Reality Technology
Al Roker gets a look at the amazing new Augmented Reality technology which will be used in the upcoming release of the official Michael Jackson Opus. The 400 page book was in development before Michael's death. In fact the Opus team met with Michael just a few days before his death and said he seemed happy. The Augmented Reality technology is just so cool. Take a look:
Toys For James Cameron's Avatar Film to Incorporate Augmented Reality
Playthingsreports that Mattel's Avatar action figures will include a 3-D web tag that activates "augmented reality" technology. The toys will be out in October.
In Mattel's words: "Avatar action figures, vehicles and creatures will come with a 3-D web tag, called an i-TAG, which consumers can "scan" using a home computer’s webcam. Scanning the i-TAG will reveal special content onscreen unique to the corresponding product. Exact content varies for each item, but could include biographical information, additional images and animated models of the figures. When the i-TAG for deluxe figures, vehicles or creatures are placed under a webcam, animated 3-D models will "come alive" through engaging, evading or defending moves. Place two i-TAGs from the "Battle Pack" together and the 3-D images will interact with each other."
"The development of our Avatar toy line with the integration of the augmented reality technology marks an entirely new level of innovation in toys," said Doug Wadleigh, Vice President for Boys Action Play Marketing, Mattel. "Boys will be able to play with the Avatar figures and vehicles in ways that previously could only be imagined."
Avatar will arrive in theatres on December 18, 2009. James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, and Zoe Saldana recently talked about the film at Comic-Con.
Virtually Try on Jewelry With Holition's Technology
The Finacial Timesreports that company named Holition has come up with an augmented-reality technology that lets you virtually try on products. For example, you could try on different pieces of jewelry from a collection. The technology makes it appear as if you are wearing the jewelry.
It is an augmented-reality technology. We have appropriated it in terms of scale and managing of the body so that you appear to be wearing it. Onscreen the technology merges the 3D jewellery into a real-time video of the person so that the jewellery can be viewed from all angles as the user moves their hand," says Lynne Murray, Holition's head of design. "All the end user has to do is to wear a symbol on their finger or their hand and stand in front of a web cam."
Holition is so realistic that “it is like trying on items as though looking in a mirror”.
What is more, it is easy to instal and free to the user, while offering new ways of engaging with the brand. It can create a more discreet way of shopping as many wealthy clients may not want to be seen carrying big designer bags around; it can even be a great introduction to a jewellery brand for someone who feels intimidated by going into a boutique or it can help solidify relationships with clients.
This kind of technology has the potential to significantly change the way people shop. You can see the technology in action here in a video on Holliton's website.
The latest in 3-D technology is called Augmented Reality. With this technology a piece of paper held in front of a webcam can become an interactive 3-D image. The new baseball cards from Topps use this technology. GE is using it on its plugintothesmartgrid.com website. News To Me host Eric Lanford demonstrates the technology in the clip below. Take a look:
Playthings 
