Star Wars Augmented Reality Game - Falcon Gunner

It's true there is now a Star Wars App games called 'Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner' which puts you in the seat of a Millennium Falcon as you're attacked by an incoming fleet of Tie Fighters coming in at you from 360-degrees. As the player you can use the game view, showing a picture of the Death Star, or the background of your choice using the AR functionality. The game is nicely demonstrated in the video below, and works pretty well against the New York skyline.


Video - Star Wars Augmented Reality: Falcon Gunner


I think this is a really nice example, and will definitely be paying to down load this one. Although this is nothing new and works in exactly the same way as something like the Firefighter augmented reality iPhone game... it's Star Wars, and so is automatically a lot cooler than most things out there.



Pic - Star Wars Augmented Reality: Falcon Gunner


Related Posts:
Augmented Reality - Do you believe the hype?
Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far
Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far - PART 2

Local Deals hit Facebook Places

Yesterday it was announced that Facebook are unveiling Deals to their Facebook Places offering on mobile, bringing local businesses the opportunity to promote offers to passing trade. Currently only available in the US and rolling out over the next few days, ‘Deals’ in relevant areas are highlighted when a user checks in via their handset.

This new offering gives brands a unique opportunity to get onto the infamous Facebook App, something which many brands have been chomping at the bit to tap into given the massive amount of users which use the application on a daily basis. The video below outlines the service, which will no doubt make its way across the pond in the coming months.



Video – Facebook Places bring local deals to the US


To date advertisers have had to make do with existing geo-location services such as Foursquare in order to showcase local offers or create branding opportunities (such as Starbuck’s Barista Badge), however with ‘Deals’ this potentially opens up a new window of possibilities to engage users via one of the World’s largest digital brands.


Via

Tiger Beer Augmented Reality App - Helps you Celebrate Chinese New Year 2010!

Well it's nearing Chinese New Year once again, the year of the Tiger, and what could be more fitting than beer brand Tiger creating an augmented reality iPhone app to help all those revelers celebrate this weekend. In association with Dazed and Confused magazine, according to iTunes this app is 'your expert guide and precision compass to electrifying festivities'.


Video - Tiger beer iPhone app demo

Features include everything you'd expect from an AR app like this, as we have seen similar apps from Stella Artois, and other such as Urban Spoon etc. It therefore uses AR to point you in the direction of all the top hotspots, and includes reviews for the best events, restaurants and bars, with previews of each venue’s offering with exclusive Dazed and Confused reviews.


Pic - Tiger beer iPhone app

I think what sets this app aside from others out there is a neat little game, which although simplistic, does make this app feel a lot more rounded, adding a bit of standout to the others in the App Store. Definitely worth checking (App found here) out as it is free, and fun to play around with.

Enjoy, & Happy New Year!!


Related Posts:
Augmented Reality - Do you believe the hype?
Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far
Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far - PART 2


Thanks to Lee for pointing this in my direction!

Barclaycard Rollercoster advert launched online

Recently you would have seen that Barclaycard has revealed their anticipated sequel to it's waterslide commercial, which takes place on a rollercoaster. The four week campaign was actually launched online on YouTube and Barclaycard’s Facebook page on Friday 22nd January with a 60 second advert, with it played on air on Saturday 24 January on ITV1.





And yes before you all ask following on from the success of the Waterslide iPhone game, Barclaycard will launch a Rollercoaster download game later in the year.


Cheers to Dan and Scarlett for the info!!

Augmented Reality - Do you believe the hype?

I just thought I'd share an article I wrote at the end of last year for my agency's The Insight E-newsletter about Augmented Reality and whether brands should be buying into the hype in 2010. As usual feel free to share your thoughts, I'm always happy to hear and chat through any opinions out there similar or dissimilar to my own.


Augmented Reality - Do you believe the hype?

Augmented Reality (AR) is the term used to describe a live view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with virtual computer-generated imagery, and was certainly a big talking point of 2009, especially in a media sense, where it seemed AR kicked things up a notch and stepped into the media limelight. In 2009 we saw Blink 182 playing inside crisp packets, Transformers fighting on DVD cases, and BMW's racing around our desks leaving a trail of paint behind them in their wake. What's more we finished the year by inviting AR into our homes for children to play with on the living room floor due to the release of the Playstation 3 EyePet, a Tamagotchi style computer game tipped as a Christmas 2009 smash.


Pic 1 - Playstation 3 EyePet

It certainly does appear like augmented reality is here to stay, and will become even more mass market as consumers get used to the idea of seeing and hearing about the technology, as well as more importantly being given a reason to interact with it (and come back for more). Giving the user a reason to interact is perhaps the most crucial piece of feedback most AR campaigns would have received last year, and although it is all well and good pushing AR campaigns upon consumers, to warrant the £25,000 to £60,000 production cost of most campaigns will on average occur, brands are going to need to work harder to achieve the PR and success that was perhaps easier to achieve in the first half of 2009.

2010 will be the year, I think, where AR will really find its place in mobile, and as we have seen in 2009 with the multitude for apps which are already using AR (such as Yelp, and Wikitude), it seems that AR has found an environment where a wider collective of users can experiment with the technology as well as spread the word easily among the smart phone community. We have already seen existing apps adding augment reality updates to their existing services, such as Urbanspoon, and TFL’s London Bus and Tube apps, and there are apps in development giving advertisers the opportunity to showcase events and offers within applications, allowing users to not only see and view reviews of venues, but purchase tickets or save coupons.


Pic 2 – Bionic Eye Application

Agencies specialised in the development of augmented reality also foresee POS as also being big in 2010, with consumers being able to view products before purchasing, and bringing something new to the shopping experience. We have already seen some impressive examples of this in the US with Lego offering children the chance to see their much anticipated toys come to life before purchasing.

So should you be using augmented reality this year? The truth is that even though the sceptics are saying it’s just a fad, and the bloggers are pleading for long term usability, there are still advertisers bucking all trends. What may seem like silly AR competitions are still grabbing attention, simple test budgets are still catching the early adopters eye, it seems that there are still a multitude of barriers to be broken with no right or wrong rules outside of the normal guidelines to early web fashions, and so if the idea fits, and well communicates the campaign objectives in a way which will offer something to the user, I’d say give it a go.


Related Posts:
Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far
Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far - PART 2

The PUMA Index - iPhone App: Stocks and shares with sex appeal

Making the best of a bad situation is not always the easiest thing to do, however in this instance PUMA have got it spot on. Their new iPhone app 'The PUMA Index' allows users to not only check how their stocks are doing, but has the added benefit that if the stocks are going down so will a rather attractive girls pants!



Pic - The PUMA Index - iPhone App


Not you're type, well there's a selection of women and men to choose from, with a video of a sleeping beauty once the stocks are closed for the day. Definitely worth checking out as it's free, and slightly more interesting than the one provided as default to the iPhone. There's also a site to support the activity (for all those non-iPhone users), and a video explaining how it all works (shown below).



Video - The PUMA Index


Enjoy!

Kia Soul - 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App

This is a very cool app which has been put together by Total Immersion for the Kia Soul. The 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App uses augmented reality in a very clever and viral way. For once players do not need their mouse, or keyboard come to that, as your head is the controller during this game. According to their press release the “Go Hamster Go!” game marks the first use of augmented reality in a Kia application for a social media environment, and can be found at www.facebook.com/kiasoul under the Go Hamster Go! tab.



Pic - Kia Soul - 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App


Each hamster is wearing a coloured t-shirt mirroring a Kia Soul colour, which when the user drops a hamster into the vehicle, the vehicle morphs into that colour. The exit window lists the final score – and the cool features the user managed to add to the Soul. Users can post their scores on the Soul leaderboard and can challenge friends to compete and beat their scores.



Video - Kia Soul - 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App


I really like this example, not only is it innovative and fun, but it is simple and is sitting on Facebook! The user is not expected to go elsewhere, or dragged to a brands website, they can play just a click away from their profile... genius. Plus you have the added viral element of Facebook, which is where I would expect this app to excel.


HT to Barry and Total Immersion for the info


Related Posts:

Top 10 Augmented Reality Adveritising Campaigns… so far
RubberDuckZilla: Augmented Reality Game
BMW Z4 “An Expression of Joy” - Augmented Reality

Axe - 'Double Pits to Chesty' Viral and iPhone App

As part of the recent 'Double Pits to Chesty' campaign, Axe have released a series of videos, the latest of which is battle of the skaters, which sees Ryan Sheckler, Greg Lutzka and Jereme Rogers in a quest for one upmanship. To achieve this they attempt the 'Double Pits to Chesty' a move that involves spraying yourself under the arms and across the body!



Video - Ryan Sheckler Axe Skate Film Double Pits to Chesty - Trailer


To also support the campaign Axe have launched the 'Axe Pogo Extreme' iPhone App. The free application is a ridiculously addictive game, where the user is tasked with bouncing upwards to collect Axe cans using the iPhone's accelerometer functionality while pulling off tricks in order to win the girls heart (well the girl on that level anyway)!



Pic 1 - 'Axe Pogo Extreme' iPhone App


Users can also play a freeplay mode which enables them to connect to Facebook to share their scores among their friends.



Pic 2 - 'Axe Pogo Extreme' iPhone App


Related Posts
Axe - '100 Girls' Hair Crisis Relief Campaign

Spotify iPhone App preview

It's nearly upon us. Quite possibly one of the most anticipated music apps, and from what I've seen, and heard, in my view one of the best. Set to be available for premium subscribers via the App Store.



Video - Spotify iPhone App in action


As Spotify continues to grow, now at 2.15M UK unique users alone, the Spotify application will allow users to listen to individual songs, full albums, or even create playlists, which users can store songs to listen to offline.

Harry Potter Casts 'Twitter Spells' on your followers

This is a brilliant little app for all those Harry Potter fans out there, which just can't get enough of the box office smash 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' released Worldwide last week. 'Hogwarts Wizarding Class' (Found here: www.harrypottertweet.com) allows Twitterers out there to cast spells on their unsuspecting follows, giving them the option to send in a flock of birds (See below), shroud their page in darkness, or send them a love potion.


Pic 1 - Harry Potter Tweet

I think this is a really nice idea, and is very in the spirit of the movies. Developed by Warner Brothers the app is certainly one of the best uses of Twitter I have seen from a brand and hope fully raises the bar to a new level.


Pic 2 - Harry Potter Tweet (Photo Credit Revolution)

My only reservation is on the subject of how comfortable the Twitterverse is in divulging there login details to every new app that appears, but I guess we will see as more and more of them appear.

Fosters 'Ozometer' Twitter App

As part of their latest campaign Fosters have launched their new 'Ozometer' Twitter application to try and work out just how 'Aussie' us Brits really are. According to the Fosters site, the 'Ozometer' Twitter App works by scanning thousands of Tweets every minute, and determines whether they are 'More' or 'Less' Aussie when compared to a predetermined list of words and phrases.



On the site users can view the live feed of Tweets as their fate is decided with a percentage grade, search for their own Twitter account, and view the current rankings by Celebrity, Place, or People. Although this does not necessarily seem like something radically new, I really like this. Dipping into the positive Vs. negative Tweets is actually really entertaining, and similarly to Twistori (Shown below), can easily sap up minutes of your time.



I'm curious to see how this campaign evolves, and will certainly be looking out for my Tweets in the charts. For further information on how the app works, all info is on the Fosters site here.


Update:

I've just in an article on Revolution, that further to this Fosters have partnered with Nuts.co.uk to give users a fully 'Aussie' experience complete with advertorials, quizzes, updates, and competitions (As if 'Assess My Breasts', 'Beach Babes getting wild' and the 'Naked Chanelle special' wasn't enough already). You can view the full article here: 'Fosters launches Twitter app: find out how Aussie you are'.




Enjoy!

Apple App Store Turns 1 (a good excuse for a fact or two)

Happy Birthday to the Apple's iTunes App Store which turns 1 today. Apple has celebrated the fact by highlighting it on the iTunes front page, and putting together this page (below) with a rainbow arrangement of apps, similar to the Pulsing Wall of iPhone Apps posted last month. In the full spirit of all things app related I thought that it was the perfect excuse for some app related facts (as much for your amusement, as for giving myself a place to find them all again in the future).




Apple iTunes App Store Trivia:

1) The App Store first opened its doors on the morning of July 10th 2008

2) The most expensive app sold in the App Store was the 'I Am Rich' app released in August 2008, this was "a work of art with no hidden function at all", with its only purpose being to show other people that they were able to afford it. It cost a whopping £599.99 ($999.99). The application was removed from the App Store the day following its release, on August 6, 2008, however Six people had allegedly already bought it before it was pulled.

3) The one billionth app downloaded was "Bump", created by Bump Technologies, was downloaded by Connor Mulcahey, age 13, of Weston, who was hailed the grand prize winner of Apples one billion app countdown contest.

4) US blog 'Busted Loop' revealed after some research that in order to buy all 55,732 apps that were available as of 7th July 2009 you would need to fork out $144,326.06 (An average of about £1.60 per app to you and me).

5) In May 2009 Pinch Media analyzed 30 million iPhone app downloads and discovered that only 5% of users will open either a free or paid app 30 days after the initial download.


Related Posts:
Apple Celebrates 1 Billion App
Pulsing Wall of iPhone Apps

MyVibe - iPhone 'Vibrator' App

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Pulsing Wall of iPhone Apps

Yesterday was the WWDC event, where Apple wowed passers by with a 5x4 matrix of cinema display monitors, sprinkled with thousands of iPhone app icons, which pulsed as they were downloaded.



Pic - Apples - Wall of iPhone Apps at WWDC event (Photo Credit Techcrunch)


Although according TechCrunch this wasn't quite real-time, I think you'd agree from the picture it looks pretty awesome. The video below shows the display in action, although I failed to spot the one or two that I have actually downloaded.



Video - Apples - Wall of iPhone Apps at WWDC event


It's reported that there are now 50,000 applications now available in the Apple App Store. With more than a billion downloads now recorded as posted last month (Apple Celebrates 1 Billion App Downloads on iTunes)


Enjoy!

MINI IPhone App - Openness

A few weeks ago MINI launched their iPhone App for the new MINI Convertible, and their 'Stay Open' campaign. Allowing the user to find out that life's more interesting when you stay open, the objective of the app is to find our how open they are? There is a link to iTunes for the app at the bottom of this post for those curious.



The first thing you do is to select one of four levels of 'Openness', from 'New to this open thing' to 'Open is my middle name', at which point using the phones GPS function you are located, and served suggestions of strange and interesting activities based on where you are.



The list activities range from things such as dining on a zebra steak, to rendering a naked person in pastels. You can then save these to a list, or send to a friend in order to test them on how open they are, there is also a chance to take a 360 look at the new MINI Convertible.



The application does state that is for those 18 and over only, but is free, and offers activities in 10 cities over the UK including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh.

The app can be found here: The MINI IPhone App - Openness


Related Posts
MINI United Celebrates 50th Birthday
MINI Clubman Viral - 'Have you seen that?'

Apple Celebrates 1 Billion App Downloads on iTunes

To mark the milestone of 1 billion application downloads by iPhone and iPod users on iTunes, Apple run a number of homepage takeovers on New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and CNET.com. The takeovers once again show the continuous clean and simple creative we associate with Apple, and finishes by thanking consumers for their help (shown below).



The one billionth app downloaded, "Bump" created by Bump Technologies, was downloaded by Connor Mulcahey, age 13, of Weston, who was hailed the grand prize winner of Apples one billion app countdown contest. For this he received a $10,000 iTunes gift card, an iPod touch, a Time Capsule and a MacBook Pro (not bad going for an app costing a couple of dollars).



Apple '1 Billion App Downloads on iTunes' (New York Times) - Image 1



Apple '1 Billion App Downloads on iTunes' (New York Times) - Image 2

Dockers Launch World’s First 'Motion-Sensitive' Ad for iPhone

Dockers have announced the release of what is believed to be the first truly interactive, "shakable" mobile advertisement within iPhone, which will sit within a series of applications (iBasketball, iGolf, iBowl and iTV) and will be released this month and run for four weeks.



The ad developed by Razorfish and OMD, and titled ‘Shakedown 2 Get Down’ features Dufon a freestyle dance expressionist from the Seattle dance group ‘Circle of Fire’, and uses the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer, to see him dancing around the screen within the application.



Between the various levels of game play users will be asked to ‘shake 2 activ8’ the iPhone to make Dufon dance.



This is quite an exciting idea, especially as this could see a new wave in ways in which brands can captivate their audience through new technology with engaging advertising placements as opposed to apps alone.