*It's so interesting that Augmented Reality outfits have turned away from suspending 3d icons in 3d spaces, and gone into what are basically consumer computer-vision apps. If you define "augmented reality" in its classic Ronald Azuma terms as a combination of the real and virtual, interactive in real-time, and registered in 3D, scarcely anybody is doing it. Even Google Glass doesn't do that. Instead, they found stuff to do with contemporary mobile applications, and contemporary mobile sensors and instruments, that made some money.
*And that made sense. But a new generation of platforms is coming in a hurry. It's gonna make every AR device we've seen to date look like manual typewriters. True AR really is all about registration, and unless I miss my guess, we're about to start registering like nobody's ever dreamed of registering before.
Dear friend or Layar business relation,
Today I am proud to announce that Layar, the company we started three
years ago exactly, is committed to make Print interactive. After three
years exploring in the domain of Augmented Reality together with our
20 million users and more than 17.000 developers we know where people
will learn about Augmented Reality: Print!
The last months we worked together with publishers in building a
product for them that makes it extremely easy to make a magazine
interactive. Today we are launching this product to the public: The
Layar Creator. A self-service web application for publishers to
activate print pages with digital content.
Here is the video explaining Interactive Print:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi80g9WJvmw
Here you can see you the Layar Creator makes a magazine interactive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKs_QYEefL0
Here you can hear why we(founders) think Interactive Print is so interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRpOeLgkTO0
Below also the Press Release we released today.
Please help us share this message as it is our biggest moment since
the launch of Layar back in June 2009:
http://www.layar.com/pr/creator/
Thanks!
Maarten
Press Release
Layar Creator places the power of interactive print at everyone’s fingertips
Web-based app set to revitalize publishing industry by bringing
digital interaction to print
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – June 5th, 2012 – Layar, the world’s leading
mobile augmented reality (AR) provider, today announced the launch of
the Layar Creator, a self-service web application for activating print
pages with digital content. By simplifying and demystifying previously
complex AR technology, the Layar Creator makes it quick and easy to
bring once static pages to life with videos, links and “Buy” buttons
that readers can view with their smartphone.
In a matter of seconds, anyone can upload images or PDFs,
drag-and-drop any of a number of digital buttons onto the pages and
publish them on the Layar platform. When readers view activated pages
with the Layar app, these buttons appear on top of the page, enabling
deeper engagement and direct commercial opportunities as the printed
page becomes a point-of-sale.
The Layar Creator: Easy, Seamless and Affordable
The Layar Creator takes advantage of Layar Vision technology,
recognizing existing images from the pages of magazines and newspapers
without the need for special markers. There is no software to install,
and the Layar Creator’s intuitive interface makes it easy to start
activating pages right away - all at budget-friendly prices.
“I loved how simple it was to use the Layar Creator with our
magazine,” says Monique van Beekhoven, web editor for Sanoma Media’s
vtwonen magazine. Using their smartphones, readers could instantly
order items in the magazine by tapping “Buy” buttons placed on the
pages with the Layar Creator by Monique herself. “I really believe
that anyone can do it!”
• Easy to use - The Layar Creator is simple and intuitive with
drag-and-drop functionality - it couldn’t be easier to make print
interactive.
• Seamless integration - With no software to install and no
restricting watermarks or QR codes to use, the Layar Creator has very
little impact on the workflow of a publication.
• Cost effective - With pay-as-you-go, bundled pricing and free
ad-supported options, the Layar Creator is affordable on any budget.
And until August 1st, it is completely free to use.
Proven Results Built In
Early interactive print campaigns with the Layar Creator have already
shown promising results. Roughly 1% of readers who discover activated
pages are converted from print to digital by using Layar to interact
with the pages. And on average, 20% of all digital content displayed
in print through Layar is clicked by the viewer. Having seen these
results, several publishers have signed on to incorporate the Layar
Creator into their publishing process going forward.
“At every editorial meeting, we discuss what will be in the printed
magazine and how we can connect that content with Layar,” says Jildou
van der Bijl, editor-in-chief of LINDA. Magazine. Three recent issues
already feature interactive pages, and LINDA. will continue to include
the Layar Creator in its production process for the next year.
The Dawn of Interactive Print
These results and partnerships validate Layar’s strong belief that
interactive print is the next step not only for the publishing
industry, but also for augmented reality as it moves toward
practicality and viability in the marketplace.
“The market for print is not going away. It’s here to stay,” says
Layar CEO Raimo van der Klein. “With the introduction of the Layar
Creator and interactive print, we have every reason to be extremely
confident in a strong future for print. Today we are joining hands
with publishers and moving forward together.”
About Layar
Layar connects our digital lives with the physical world. As the
global leader in mobile augmented reality, the Layar app has over 20
million downloads and 3 million monthly active users. With the Layar
Creator, Layar is pioneering the interactive print movement and paving
the way for a more robust future for the publishing industry in a
digital age.
The company was named as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic
Forum, a Disruptive Innovator at the Deloitte Fast50 awards and has
received various major industry awards.
Layar was founded in June 2009 and has raised over EUR 12.5 million
(USD 15.6 million) in venture funding from investors including Intel
Capital, Prime Ventures and Sunstone Capital. Layar is located in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
To learn more, visit www.layar.com.
Images:
http://static511.layar.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content_media/174/creatorscreenshot_1.png
http://static511.layar.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content_media/174/creatorscreenshot_5.png
http://static511.layar.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content_media/174/creatorscreenshot_2.png
http://static511.layar.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content_media/174/creatorscreenshot_3.png
Videos:
Launch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi80g9WJvmw
How to (Creator video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKs_QYEefL0
