As children we all dreamt that our toys would come to life and play with us. Well thanks to Qualcomm and some augmented reality technology our children won’t have to dream.

At CES2012 this week, Qualcomm showed off a product demo of the Sesame Street Playset. The playset was developed in partnership with Sesame Street Workshop for the education of pre-school aged children. The toys are fun to play with on their own but come to life when a tablet joins in. In this case Qualcomm used a HTC Jetstream tablet.

“In the past, the only place toys came to life was on TV and in movies. Today, we are bringing that magic one step closer to reality,” said Jay Wright, senior director of business development at Qualcomm.

The experience is built using Qualcomm’s Vuforia™ platform and an application to recognize 3D figures. Qualcomm has always been active in the augmented reality space working with and supporting developers to create the hardware needed for truly immersive executions.

Although a prototype this Playset has been created with learning and interaction at it’s core. Qualcomm has worked closely with the Sesame Street Workshop to ensure the toys are educational and maximize developmental growth. The toys from our dreams and sci-fi movies are now in our living rooms. What will be next?

Check out this video to see the Playset in action:

One of the benefits of living in Denver is that some really cool stuff happens here. One such event is happening this Friday, September 30th that you won’t want to miss.

Bordo Bello 2011 is the fourth annual gathering of artist’s work on skateboard decks. This year they are also adding Munnys. The event is put on by AIGA and showcases the massive creative talent from Denver and nationwide. Want to learn more visit BordoBello.com.

Over the last couple years Bordo Bello has become a highlight of the creative community in Denver. With memories of friendly bidding wars and beer bartered I owe yous, you won’t be disappointed.

Check it out for yourself at Redline Gallery, be there at 6:30 pm. Get ready to be inspired, with decks, Djs, and raffles it’s sure to be a good time. And make sure to keep tabs on your deck of choice as bidding closes at different times per deck.

If you want a sneak peek or can’t make it in person on Friday you can bid on a selection of the decks/Munnys on ebay at Bordo Bello 2011 Listings. Down load the iPhone or Android app and you can bid during the event to ensure you bring home that lusty deck and be the envy of every creative.

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.

Saatchi & Saatchi Israel recently created an AR promotion for Passover. Using Matza as the marker they have created a very memorable interactive card. Do you want a bite?

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

Best Buy jazzed up their normal Sunday circular this week with the presence of augmented reality.

The circular ad directs the consumer to a website (BestBuy3d.com.) At the website the consumer can hold up the back page of their circular and see a Toshiba laptop in augmented reality. By creating some engagement with their normal Sunday ad Best Buy is able to create a little buzz and bring their consumer a unexpected experience. Best Buy is able to draw even more attention to its $499 (loss leader) laptop special. In turn hopefully getting more consumers to visit their store.

The electronics superstore used this tool to introduce their new TwelpForce Twitter® service. If a consumer needs help or has a question about anything electronics, they can just tweet to @TwelpForce. Best Buy employees will reply with a speedy answer to their inquiry. A handy service no matter where the consumer is or what their question?

image courtesy of Geekologie blog.

Digital is making its way into the retail space. New tools have made it to the mainstream and are changing the way we shop. One such tool is Augmented Reality. For those who don’t know, augmented reality often referred to as AR, is the combination of real-world (live) and computer-generated data, where computer graphics objects are blended into real footage in real time.

So how does AR work? In its base form, you present your webcam with a high contrast marker. This marker is either printed from your computer or on a product itself (examples to follow).

You may have heard AR, but in retail? Most executions of augmented reality in general have been little more than, “Wow, that’s cool.” Retailers and brand giants like Walmart® and Procter & Gamble are taking notice and even flirting with the technology.

Walmart ran a print ad in People Magazine promoting their back-to-college your zone collection with an augmented reality twist. Their print ad encourages you to visit a website and see your room in AR. The room changes from various styles available at Walmart. Mainly an eye catching advertisement, but it does highlight the variety of styles available at Walmart for your college room necessities.

Procter & Gamble recently rolled out a similar campaign based in print. Highlighting the “magic” of AR technology, the print execution was developed for their Always tampon brand. The execution was targeted at 15 year-old girls and little more than a magic show. The teenage girl prints a marker from the website, featured in the print ad, and also installs a web plug-in. Then she is greeted with a top hat and a bunny rabbit, accompanied by the messaging “incredibly soft,” a feature of Always products.





However, some brands are taking this new tool and creating wonderful enhancements for their products and giving their consumers that same “wow” presence.

The USPS has a wonderful execution to help patrons choose the right box for their shipments. Accurately named, “Which box fits your shipment?” this dramatically simple execution helps you choose the correct size box for your shipment while saving you time. Instead of waiting at the post office with a line of angry patrons behind you; you are able to test it out in the comfort of your own home. This tool gives you a better idea of the cost to mail your item.





The USPS creates some great buzz for their brand by breathing life into what is generally a mundane experience (mailing packages). Through this interaction the customer not only gets the information they need, they might even come away with a pleasant feeling for their national postal service. Amazing, I know.

Want to learn more about Augmented Reality and see more examples in the retail space? Stay tuned here. New posts coming as more brands venture into this media along with an AR section of the website for easy access to Augmented Reality executions.

UPDATE:

The Procter & Gamble Always campaign is based on the idea that the product, “Works Like Magic.” This FSI (featured below) in the P&G BrandSaver which appeared in newspapers over the weekend adds some evidence to why magic and AR was used with the campaign.