Dome Demo

Tag: Innovation in Retail – Fashion – Media – Wellness – Navigating the Future

  • How XR is Changing Retail, Fashion, and Entertainment

    How XR is Changing Retail, Fashion, and Entertainment

    2019 is turning out to be a really interesting year for those of us working in the XR field (XR meaning AR, MR, and VR). The past couple of years we have seen an uptake on the enterprise side, with companies like Boeing, Coca Cola, Caterpillar, and many others adding AR and/or VR to the tools they use for manufacturing and design.

    But this year I am particularly excited about consumer facing applications. Recently Mercedes Benz and BMW have started to replace owner manuals with AR applications on select models. Vuforia launched Chalk, a type of “you see what I see application” that allows people in different locations to share a live view of the same environment, and draw simple annotations called Chalk Marks. L’Oréal used AR effectively to offer virtual makeup try-ons on its website.  And Accenture, bridging the gap between merchandising and consumer behavior, created a virtual store to learn about user behavior and reaction to placement, assortment, and signage, and other factors that affect the buying experience.

    The list of successful uses of AR and VR are growing on a weekly basis. I think what makes me particular excited about this news is that most of them address real everyday needs, and provide a direct benefit to the end users. While games and spectacular projection-based demos get a lot of publicity, real use case scenarios are far more effective.  They create a deep impact as consumers start to learn about the benefits of incorporating XR technologies for daily use at work and life in general.

    Next week we have a great opportunity to analyze current opportunities—what is  working and what is not. I will be joined at Digital Hollywood in Los Angeles this coming May 21st, at 10AM at the Skirball Center by an amazing team of experts with real hands on experience. Raffaella Camera (Accenture), Tony Parisi (Unity), Olivier Koelemij (Media Monks), Nigel Tierney (Ryot), Silke Meixner (IBM), and Michael Leventhal (Holmes Weinberg) will be participating in a round table conversation covering current impact, use cases, challenges, and what to expect in the next 6 to 12 months in the world of XR. I will of course be presenting some of the latest advances of our “Hoodoo” platform and ecosystem for AR, and how you can leverage this cost-effective and ready for market solution for your business, no matter what size.

    We’ll be sharing valuable information and as it has become a tradition we’ll also distribute free of charge a PPT with analytics and additional information to all session attendees. If you can’t join us in L.A. you can still join us via Webcast. Videos will be posted by the conference organizers every day.

    Come join and talk to the experts directly and see how we can help you design a solid and productive XR strategy, and start taking advantage of these amazing technologies. Hope to see you there!

  • Publishing AR Content? It’s as Easy as 1, 2, 3 Introducing Hoodoo SDK!

    Publishing AR Content? It’s as Easy as 1, 2, 3 Introducing Hoodoo SDK!

    I usually don’t post about my own technology but I think I have to make an exception this time. We just added an SDK (software development kit) to our AR platform and publishing system.  This is a major addition to our AR offering. It will allow developers to add all the power of our AR platform into existing and new apps.

    Our main goal is to make AR accessible to all companies big and small. To achieve this, we have created the most flexible and innovative publishing system coupled with a business model that can match almost all needs and circumstances. Check out some of the pluses of working with Hoodoo:

    1. Easily add AR to your existing or new apps, iOS and Android!

    2. Use the tools you already like and know. With Hoodoo you can always leverage your in-house team or current contractors.  No new authoring tools to learn!

    3. We also support apps that have been built with Xamarin, React, and Unity.

    4. Most flexible and cost-effective solution. You only pay for what you use!

    5. Flexible licensing plan. We have a solution for even the smallest start up.

    6. Online / Offline / Synching: we have the right functionality for your business.

    7. Need to start small? No problem we ‘ve got you covered with our Universal “GetHoodoo” app.

    8. State of the art CDN with our partner Verizon Digital Media, and world-wide reach and performance with the support of Amazon AWS

    9. We support and build apps that use Vuforia PTC, ARKit, and ARCore

    10. Image recognition, QR Codes, and barcodes can all be scanned at once!

    We are focused in the addressable market which is mobile device based. This give us the opportunity to tap into 2 billion operational devices around the world and growing. We plan to support some HMDs and HUDs as they become commercially viable.

    I am really proud of our team! It has been a long journey to get to this point, and still much more to come. I invite you to learn about our AR solutions and how we they can add value to your business.

    This year we’ll have an extensive marketing and outreach program. You can connect with us at Digital Hollywood this coming May 21 – 23 at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles, or at Augmented World Expo May 29 – 31 in Santa Clara. Our you can contact us to schedule a free consultation and / or demo of our platform. No hard sale, no strings attached!

  • 9 Key Benefits of AR

    9 Key Benefits of AR

    For the past three years I have been focused on augmented and mixed realities and to a lesser degree on virtual reality. I have conducted scores of demos, spoken at various conferences and immersed myself in these technologies. These experiences have led me to the following observations about the benefits of AR.

    1. Customized Choices: personalization is essential for marketing and media now and AR provides it.

    2. Engagement: AR offers a deep level of engagement visually and interactively. It is a must for retailers since it can provide just in time information at the point of sales.

    3. Real Time: this is not new, but it is different in that we can combine digital and real-world content in real time.

    4. Ability to Visualize Products: for retail and marketing this is essential for the future and growth of electronic content. You can see items you wish to buy in advance and even place them in your home or at the location where they would be used. This opens multiple possibilities for interior design, landscaping, renovation projects, and so much more.

    5. Interactivity: AR offers new choices, users can interact with digital content and the real world at the same time.

    6. Tracking: AR makes it possible for objects and print media to deliver the same or even better analytics than regular apps.

    7. Recognition: the use of visual recognition technologies helps businesses connect in a more personal way with their customers, while reinforcing their brand marks and presence.

    8. Education and Training: learning in general will never be the same. AR provides a high level of engagement; it is also social which is conducive to collaboration and team work or play.

    9. Call for Action: AR is immersive and makes it easy to guide / take a user to a call for action, like making a purchase, learning more about something, etc.

     

    AR and XR will continue to evolve at a fast pace. This means more choices, more features, and amazing possibilities for brands and companies, while delivering a superior engaging experience to end users.

    If you want to learn more about how AR, MR, and VR are impacting the way companies do business please join me at Digital Hollywood this October 16 at 10AM for a fantastic session www.digitalhollywood.com/DHFall2018.html. I will be joined by leading experts from Accenture, MediaMonks, Epson, Ryot, and Holmes Weinberg. We will distribute free to all session attendees a special PowerPoint containing forecasts, data, and information about AR. You can also check my blog for other XR articles and information.

  • Don’t Be Left Behind! 7 Tips to Develop an Extended Reality Strategy

    Don’t Be Left Behind! 7 Tips to Develop an Extended Reality Strategy

    I remember that in the late 90’s everyone realized they needed to have a website. Unfortunately for some of the largest businesses it was too late. Many big retail stores failed to recognize the impact of the web for business. As a result of this lack of vision, chains like Bullocks, The Broadway, Robinsons, etc. closed down while newcomers like Amazon gained momentum every month. We all know the rest of the story.

    We are now once again at one of those key moments in history where a significant leap in technology is happening.  If you don’t believe it just read the news. Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft are all investing heavily in augmented and virtual reality. Remaining retail giants like Walmart are also investing in these new technologies. Big brands, like Coca Cola, Pepsi, BMW, Audi, Ikea, Game of Thrones, L’Oréal, The Walking Dead, and many more are already developing AR and VR strategies. It is not a coincidence or a fad.

    So the big question is what are you doing for your brand, products, or services? You don’t want to be the next Bullocks or the IBM that let an unknown Microsoft become one of the most powerful companies in the world, right? Of course not!  But before you enthusiastically dive into XR, you must first determine which option, (AR) augmented reality, (VR) virtual reality, or (MR) mixed reality is the right fit for your business.  It depends on your products and services, and what is most effective with your audience. The answer could even be all three.

    Here are some simple tips you should consider as a starting point:

    1. Review your business goals for the next 3 to 5 years.

    2. Get information on all aspects of XR. If you don’t have someone on staff that can provide this knowledge, partner with a company or consultant that can help guide you. Consider what is possible now and in the future.

    3. Assemble a multi-disciplinary team that includes expertise in your business, competition, marketing, “XR”, creative, and financial business modeling.

    4. Create a plan that addresses current opportunities but allows for growth since  these technologies are going to be evolving over the next few years.

    5. Don’t stop doing what you are doing; just add ‘XR” as part of your comprehensive sales and marketing plan.

    6. Balance current market needs with paving the road for the future.

    7. Execute, measure, analyze, and adapt your strategy to the changing nature of technology.

     

    Take these steps and make sure you not only ensure the longevity of your business, but stake out a future for growth.  Don’t get left behind. Explore what extended reality can do for you!

     

    If you want to learn more about this topic, and get a jump into XR, you can meet me and many other XR experts at Digital Hollywood this coming May 22 through May 24 here is a link to the event http://www.digitalhollywood.com/DHSpring2018.html

    I will be moderating a panel on this very subject May 22, at 10AM. Here is a link to my session http://www.seminar.dhsessions.com/dh18springtuesone.html (Full disclosure, I do have an Augmented Reality company, but I am not at the conference to sell, but to share information and facilitate partnerships. I am always happy to answer questions and to share what I know.)

    It is really important that you develop a sound strategy in order to take full advantage of this amazing leap in technology. I’ll be posting other information about XR on my blog every other week. Hope to see you at the conference!