Want to try on watches but can’t make it to the store? Tissot, maker of Swiss watches has a solution for you. Using augmented reality technology you are able to try any of a select collection of watches.

This magical experience lets you shop online for just the right watch. You can see a 3D model of each watch on your own wrist. Compare styles, seek the right color to match your outfit or decide which face size is appropriate for you. By activating the touch functions you can learn about the features of each watch.

Congratulations go to Tissot for a perfect matching of e-commerce and augmented reality. With this unique offering Tissot ensures that their consumer is engaged with their product and spends more time on their site. The AR application is both refined and informative. The experience is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. The only draw back is the hefty download. For Mac it weighs in at a whopping 85 MB.

Download the marker:

Tissot Touch Collection

Download the AR Experience:

Windows or Mac

Video of Experience:

During my time at the first annual Augmented Reality Event 2010 in Santa Clara last month, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Camilla Grey from Moving Brands. Moving Brands is a London based branding company. Their goal is to “redefine branding by setting new standards of creativity for a moving world.” They have done some amazing identity work.

During the conference Camilla gave a wonderful presentation on Living Identity. Instead of the usual PowerPoint or Keynote slides Camilla used a custom AR format. What a great way to present at an AR conference. If you would like to experience the script for yourself you can download the marker and follow the link below. Through the use of their logo Moving Brands is able to display blog, twitter, video and image feeds from their site. To cycle through the content you simply move the marker to arrows at the left or right of the content. The code is flash based so there is no download required.

Tips for use:

1) On Mac computer make sure you have USB camera selected. To do so, right-click select settings and click the webcam icon.

2) For easy recognition, you may want to print the marker at 100% and fold the edges of the paper under to make it more stable.


Download the marker:
Moving Brands: Living Identity

Launch AR Experience


Video of Experience:

When it comes to retailers embracing new technology Target® is working to stay top. With the latest version of Target’s iPhone app the retailer shows just how serious they can be about shopping with technology.

One of the biggest advancements in version 3.3 is the addition of a barcode scanner. Powered by Occipital a Boulder, CO based app developer. The barcode scanner allows guests to build shopping lists (TargetLists) and price items right in the aisle. TargetLists include managing wedding or baby registries, wish lists and daily shopping items. Scan any item in stores and access the product details, reviews and store availability.

With 3.3 Target brings you Daily Deals. Much like Amazon’s Gold Box Deals, each day Target offers special discounts available only for a limited time. The deals are available through online ordering only but do include free shipping.

And lastly Target makes it easier for their guests to ask questions with contact us and feedback features. Way to go Target! When retailers take the time to innovate and listen to their guests sales improve and the relationship grows. iPhone users told Target how they wanted to use their app and Target has shown they can listen.

Visit Target app on iTunes or text “APP” to 827438 (TARGET) to receive a download link.

Now thats some pretty well designed mail.

Rahul Mahtani & Yofred Moik from the Industrial Design program at Syracuse University had an idea called Google Maps Envelope Beta. The concept was to have the option inside Gmail to send a printed envelope via snail mail. The envelope would show a call-out for the locations of the to and from addresses. The rest of the envelope is covered in a map between those destinations with the driving route. It won’t be coming to Gmail anytime soon though, this is just a concept. It’s a get design enhancement to an old practice.

If you are interested in actually sending some “map mail” there is an option however; Map Envelopes. Map Envelopes allows you to print an envelope lined with your sending location. You can include a map of where you were when you wrote them. All you have to do is visit the website, select a location and message then print the envelope.

What do you get when you combine Swiss design and a classically great typeface? Helveticards. These Swiss inspired cards are sure to delight any card playing guest, from type enthusiast to the poker shark roommate. The cards are printed on premium quality, high gloss, white core playing card stock. Packaged in hard plastic case.

Better hurry the pre-order for the first run ends at the end of today (April 14th).

Interesting heads up AR concept. Experience your computer screen when you get up in the morning. Concept shows calibrating by looking at certain points with your eyes. A long ways off and something like Minority Report (the part no one wants to come true) but a good look at an AR UI Design.

Posted by Spannungsbogen on YouTube. The poster is primarily a DJ/Producerbut he does have some serious 3D and artistic talent. You can find him @bojean on Twitter or on his personal website here.

No your granny wasn’t let loose at night, this is the work of Denver’s own Ladies Fancywork Society. This piece was featured on Channel 7 News and although only on display for a matter of hours their work went to good use. The 7 by 7 foot leg warmers were donated to a local women’s shelter for blankets. If you;re interested in donating any of your own work check out The Delores Project. The full story can be found on the Ladies Fancywork Society Blog.

I don’t know how I missed at least hearing about that when it happened. Yarn bombing is an emerging trend in art/tagging. The non-destruction and colorful art form brightens up cold public spaces and adds some flare to the boring urban landscape. What a great way to exhibit in the public realm and literally brighten people’s days. The yarn is easily removed unlike spray paint or chalk.

Another knitting artist Owel Wasn’t Here, started her street knitting with a enormous American Spirit cigarette. Great job!

Check out more yarn art on the web here:

Yarn Bombing
Art Yarn
Wikipedia Yarn Bombing

Yesterday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain Microsoft introduced their next offering to the mobile OS platform. Windows Phone 7 Series. And I do have to say the design looks impressive.

Microsoft has taken a step back and started to innovate. They’ve looked at phones as a different kind of platform a small platform not a mini PC. Geometric design which has a clean simple look, using grey, blue, and white with the integration of photos. Also using green to delineate games and cue to Xbox. Meant to deliver a task oriented experience as opposed to an application focused approach.

On a hardware note three buttons will be featured on all Windows Phone 7 Series hardware: Start, Search, and Back. Hardware will also always have a touch screen. The lock screen slides up; wouldn’t this be a problem putting the phone in your pocket? The homescreen/start experience features live tiles which update with information from the internet and exchange. The tiles are also referred to as hubs. The tiles are People, Calendars, Pictures, Outlook, Office, Games, Web pages, and Individuals. Described as destinations or hubs for an integrated experience by larger categories rather than application specific.

People

Contacts are filed together Recent people, All people (windows live, online e-mail services, Facebook), and a What’s New category. Keyboard features a face button for all your emoji in their original text only form. Also on a nice humorous note you delete an tile for a person by touching a broken heart icon to severe ties.

Calendar

Work and home events featured are together in your calendar. The calendar has Day, Agenda and Month views. Locations are built in with the Bing map service. As you zoom in on the map closer to the ground it automatically goes from graphic data to satellite photo data (aerial view).

Bing

When searching you see web, local, and image result categories. In a humorous choice of demonstration; the search example used was “Sushi” same as with Apple’s iPhone demos. Also featured in the results for each restaurant will be reviews via partnerships with other companies like Yelp. The browser is based on desktop version of IE; using sub-pixel positioning to make web pages appear with greater clarity.

Pictures

Categories include Gallery, Albums, and What’s New (your friend’s photo activity). Direct uploading to Facebook from phone. Syncing of photos from Windows Live and Facebook.

Outlook

Categories include Unread, Flags, Urgent, and All. The interface is clean with check boxes next to e-mails making it easy to delete multiples similar to on the iPhone edit mode.

Office

For productivity Office includes One Note, Documents, and SharePoint categories. Take notes on your phone or computer in text, photo, or voice memo formats. Documents for viewing on the go. SharePoint for consumption on a variety of devices as well as editing on the go.

Games

Categories here include Spotlight, Xbox Live, Requests, and Collections. Spotlight posts announcements about games and your gaming activity as well as your friend’s. Multi-player gaming with other phones, PCs and even Xbox devices is said to be supported.

Music/Video

Every phone will be a Zune. Categories here include Music, Video, Podcast, Radio, and the Marketplace. Music features History and New for easy access to what you were last listening to or recently upload tunes. Pin content to have it appear in a separate category (somewhat like favoring an album or song).

Zune software for syncing. Very iPhone like experience on the device tab. Bar graphic of space on phone and content. Last sync listing and device graphic.

Hardware partners include Qualcomm, LG, Samsung, Garmin/Asus, HTC, HP, DELL, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba.
Carrier partners will include T-Mobile, Telefonica, Sprint, Vodafone, AT&T, Orange, SFR, Verizon, Telstra, and Telecom.

Taking a stab at Apple and the iPhone by changing the focus from apps to a phone experience with hubs meant to work together. A glance and go experience versus the in and out experience of apps. Not sure I buy that. It’s pretty much the same thing said in a different way.

With all that said the bottom line seems to be a new UI with a spin on the phone experience. As for NEW features the Xbox Live integration is the main add over other phones. We will see if the Windows Phone 7 Series will prove to be a step forward or simply another player in the market.

Adidas is ushering in a digital age in footwear with their new Originals AR Game Pack shoes. That’s right augmented reality on your feet.

The shoes come in a set of five colors exclusive to select Champs Sports locations and Eastbay online. The experience is part of Adidas’ virtual Originals Neighborhood. Wearers will be able to hold their shoe up to a webcam unlocking a challenging gaming experience and exclusive content with the AR codes on the tongue. Users play games by using the shoe as a controller. New games will be launched each month starting in February and ending in April of 2010. Shoes range in price from around $70 to $99.

The games come in a variety of flavors. Starting with a Star Wars game where the user fires blue paint balloons at Stormtroopers. In the second game the user skateboards through a 3-D neighborhood performing tricks and navigating their way through obstacles. The third game being released in April is more musically oriented. Users become their own DJ and create beats.

From a retail perspective; Adidas is doing a great job engaging their consumers by creating a lasting conservation. Not only do they engage with their consumer in-stores and online during the purchase experience; they keep them coming back for more. Consumers will show their pride for the brand by wearing their products around as well as engaging online. The experience builds the brand and makes consumer feel a part of something exclusive and cutting edge. Word of mouth and digital WOM will be huge spreading the message of Adidas’ innovation. It’s great to see a brand staying fresh and taking a risk of trying out new technology. Let the conversation begin.

What do you think of the shoes, another gimmick or actually a good use of AR in the marketplace? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Want to buy a pair check out these styles online:

Superstar LTO

Forum Mid

Teaser trailer for the online experience:

Follow Adidas Originals on Twitter at @adi_originals

UPDATE:

Finally found a link to all the shoes on Eastbay.com You can see the line-up here

Also got my hands on a pair and have been trying to get them to work. Turns out that most of my problems were because of my work firewall and port blocking. Video of experience and tips/review to come shortly.

The first COLOR e-book reader will come to the market in April. The Fujitsu FLEPia e-paper mobile terminal, (as Fujitsu is referring to it) has an 8-inch XGA screen capable of displaying 260,000 colors.

This impressive device sports many desirable features including: Bluetooth, Wifi, Up to a 4GB SD card, Stereo-speakers, and a USB mini-B connector; all while being less than a half inch thick. It can be operated using the screen with an included stylus or the various function buttons below the screen.

Since the device only uses power when redrawing, Fujitsu says the battery will last up to 40 hours of continuous reading. The most futuristic feature however, is the inclusion of Windows CE 5.0 (Japanese version) which allows the user to access a browser, email and applications, even MS Office. With a software keyboard you could write an email with relative ease. The only major drawback is that the screen takes a full 1.8 secs to redraw. While that may hold you back, Fujitsu is really breaking new ground. With XMDF, .book formats and the capacity of up to 5,000 paper based books (assuming 300 pages at 600kb per book) the FLEPia is a real contender to the Amazon Kindle.

The device can be purchased starting April 20th through Fujitsu’s online store FrontechDirect for a mere $1,010 US (approximately). Full specs can be found on ZDNet. There is no word on whether the FLEPia will be available in any other markets around the world.