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metaio Releases Most Advanced Mobile Augmented Reality Software For Free

December 8th, 2011
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MUNICH AND SAN FRANCISCO, DECEMBER 8, 2011- The worldwide leader in advanced Augmented Reality solutions, metaio, will today release a free version of its advanced mobile development tools for iOS and Android to the entire application development ecosystem. This will be the newest version of the SDK that already powers the world’s most advanced AR browser and over 70 applications, driving more than 10 million downloads. The metaio Mobile SDK is the first mobile developer kit to enable gravity-aware AR experiences and the only AR developer kit that includes a 3D rendering engine, making it the first truly free AR SDK available.

Industry Proven With More Than 10 Years in Development

The metaio Mobile SDK  is developed by a software company with over 10 years of experience producing professional augmented reality, ensuring both the current caliber of the technology and the promise of continual advancements in research and developments. The metaio Mobile SDK has been implemented by brands, agencies and developers with an established professional track record of almost 70 mobile applications running on iOS and Android devices. The world’s most advanced AR browser, junaio, was built on the metaio Mobile SDK, and now empowers almost 10 million mobile-AR-enabled magazines delivered every month.

Most Advanced Augmented Reality Technology Available

The metaio Mobile SDK is as powerful as it is professional. Designed for natural AR experiences, the metaio Mobile SDK brings with it patented gravity-awareness and award-winning (tracking competition winner at ISMAR 2011) visual tracking technology for 2D and 3D objects, now three times more robust than the previous version. These features combined with metaio’s ongoing devotion to research and development will ensure AR experiences that are more natural, more intuitive, and more realistic. In addition, metaio has presented a clear roadmap towards both an Augmented World and AR on every smartphone by the year 2014, including working with chipset manufacturers to optimize metaio’s software for mobile devices.

Optimized AR-Pipeline for Major Mobile Chipsets

Though just weeks ago metaio proudly announced formal collaborations with ARM, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), the broad developer community benefits today. While the available hardware is becoming more and more AR friendly, metaio has long been cultivating a network of contacts and technical exchanges with companies of the mobile processor industry, such as ARM, ST-Ericsson and TI. With these key industry partnerships metaio is ensuring that next generation mobile devices are fully AR capable.

“The powerful and flexible hardware of our partners enables us to deliver the software that will create the most innovative and compelling apps in AR,” said metaio CEO Dr. Thomas Alt. “We are happy to announce that we reached our first concrete short-term measure by porting our mobile SDK to the platforms of ARM, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments.”

From ARM: “ARM’s roadmap for ARM® Mali™ graphics and compute IP not only addresses the challenges in Augmented Reality today but also sets a benchmark for the next generation of mobile AR”, says Kevin Smith, VP Strategic Marketing, ARM Media Processing Division. “The combination of ARM processors and ARM Mali graphics processing units along with the strength of the Mali Ecosystem puts ARM in a unique position to provide enabling technologies to AR industry pioneers like metaio and we are working together to meet the future demands of mobile devices”.

From ST-Ericsson: “With our collaboration on a series of joint research projects, we are working to bring the latest AR capabilities to a broad developer community,” said Björn Ekelund, Head of Ecosystems and Research, CTO and Strategic Planning Office of ST-Ericsson. “Applications like AR are where the Nova™ and NovaThor™ product families excel since they deliver a combination of mobile processing performance, advanced graphics cores and powerful multimedia all at extreme power efficiency. We believe AR will become a basic demand in mobile devices in the future.”
From Texas Instruments: “Mobile augmented reality requires high processing performance with superior graphics and imaging capabilities that run on ultra-low power-features delivered by TI’s family of OMAP mobile processors. We work closely with metaio to ensure its AR SDK effectively leverages the OMAP platform’s end-to-end advancements. In turn, our mutual customers can focus on delivering compelling mobile devices that capture the promise and excitement of augmented reality-driven experiences,” said Fred Cohen, director, OMAP user experience team, TI.

Free of Worry and Cost

Compared to other augmented reality software kits, the metaio solution is the most complete and worry free available. The metaio Mobile SDK includes its own 3D rendering engine – now with advanced shader support – meaning there are no hidden development costs. At the same time it provides developers with a plugin to make use of Unity3D, one of the most established and powerful gaming engines currently on the market. Unlike other current augmented reality SDKs the metaio solution does not require the developer to upload and or encrypt any files before publishing a project, making the development process incredibly straightforward. For those who want to go further in customizing and development, metaio will also release a Pro version of the mobile SDK within the next months. The pro Version will include additional advanced features, greater customization potential and direct support by the metaio development team. Additionally, developers that prove their skills through the development of professional AR applications using the metaio Mobile SDK can register to become Certified Developers, giving them direct access to business offers and opportunities through the metaio network.

Watch the metaio Mobile SDK release video on YouTube
Download the free metaio Mobile SDK
Visit the new metaio.com

about metaio

As the world-wide leader in Augmented Reality technology, metaio develops software products for visual interactive solutions between the real and the virtual world. Based on the advanced software suite, 3-D animations can be integrated seamlessly into live-video streams respectively into pictures of the user’s real environment. Founded in February 2003, metaio currently employs 75+ people at two different locations. The company is headquartered in Munich with the subsidiary metaio Inc. located in San Francisco USA. metaio has accumulated over 500 projects has been working with more than 450 renowned customers from different industries and geographical locations, such as: Macy’s, Toyota, Universal Pictures, Volkswagen, Adidas, BMW, LEGO, Audi, Bauer Media, USA Today, Bosch, Domino’s Pizza, The National Guard and Absolut Vodka. metaio is also the producer of the world’s most advanced mobile augmented reality browser, junaio, available for free download on Android and iOS. for more information, please visit metaio.com and junaio.com

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Bulmers launches cider garden finder app

September 7th, 2010
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Bulmer’s cider launches pub garden finder augmented reality app

http://www.bulmers.co.uk

Bulmers Cider has launched a new free iPhone App will direct users to the nearest cider garden that stocks Bulmers using GPS, an interactive map and the very latest Augmented Reality technology. The app also shows reviews and additional info from www.useyourlocal.com providing the opportunity to join and support your local pub.

The app will also give users access to special offers and giveaways, as well as keeping them up to date on the Bulmer’s Summerside Garden, an installation that is currently touring the nation to spread the Summer lovin’ fronted by Bulmers bespoke band, the Sun Lovin’ Criminals.

The band’s performances on the Bulmers Sunshine Stage will use the latest Augmented Reality technology to open up a world of audience interaction and reward.

To download the app simply visit the apple iTunes Store and search for ‘Bulmers’ or visit
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bulmers-cider-finder-app/id381536515?mt=8

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Malaysia Airlines’ Pioneering Iphone Augmented Reality App

September 7th, 2010
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Now Available For Free Download

Malaysia Airlines and the air transport IT specialist, SITA, today announced that the airline’s “MHdeals” application, the first app using augmented reality to be launched by an airline, is now available for free download  from the Apple App store.

The handy app allows customers to pick up the best airline deals from nearby airports and is the first in which an airline has exploited augmented reality commercially as a new channel for ticket sales.
MHdeals uses the GPS on the iPhone to determine the user’s location and then displays the nearest airports from which they can access great deals. By simply holding the phone in front of them, the user can identify surrounding airports and select one to view the latest flight offers. At a touch of a button passengers can then book their flights through the MHmobile which SITA Lab developed and launched for Malaysia Airlines last year.

The availability of MHdeals in the Apple App store follows the hugely successful launch in June of the iPad MHkiosks – another world’s first for Malaysia Airlines. These unique kiosks are also easy to use and, like MHdeals, make booking with Malaysia as simple as ABC.

Watch demos of MHdeals and the iPad MHkiosks.

*The iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Executive Quotes:

Malaysia Airlines’ Managing Director/CEO, Tengku Dato’ Azmil Zahruddin, said: “We have had a lot of interest from our customers since we announced that MHdeals was coming. Now they can experience for themselves the world’s most technologically-advanced and entertaining way of picking and booking a great value flight.”

Jim Peters, SITA Chief Technology Officer who heads up the SITA Lab facility which worked with Malaysia Airlines on developing the application, said: “Augmented Reality applications are new and still experimental, and trying out new ways to interact with customers and to provide functionality in a consumer-friendly way is part of the process.

“Working together, SITA and Malaysia Airlines have the opportunity to keep ahead of the curve as the technology of smartphones and data in “the cloud” rapidly evolves. In this case, MHdeals also provides Malaysia Airlines’ customers the ability to choose a destination and book flights in a fun and interactive way” he added.

Links
Application:                http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mhdeals/id382068513?mt=8
Demo of MHdeals:         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPhoizmFssM
Demo of MHkiosk:         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54XwvJPO5KY

SITA Lab:                http://twitter.com/sitalab |  www.sita.aero

Contact Details

SITA
Brenda Flinter
Public Relations Manager
Mobile: +353 87 750 6229
Email: Brenda.Flinter@sita.aero The Wordshop
Charlie Pryor
Director
Tel : +44 (0)20 7031 8270
Email : cp@theword-shop.com

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Augmented Reality for Design Lovers

September 1st, 2010
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Context sensitive product visualization on mobile devices is one, next big step for augmented reality. By integrating products directly into the customer’s environment on a smartphone, the shopping experience will become even more convenient and direct. You can see the final usage setting and make a more confident buying decision. And you know what? Vanija, our Swiss partner has finally done this important step together with their customer Möbel-Pfister Ltd and created the App “Atelier Pfister” for their new Swiss Design Collection! The iPhone App, which was created together with Visualcontext Designer Alain Leclerc von Bonin, the programmers Adrian Nägeli & Reto Senn, Bitforge AG and which contains parts of metaio’s augmented reality software, lets users integrate virtual furniture into their own living environment. You take a picture with your smartphone, integrate, combine and arrange the design pieces – and when you like what you see (because it fits well) – you buy what you see. Do you like what you read?

Images: Home Screen of the app and a screenshot from the AR functionality.

2ARFunction
1Homescreen

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Unifeye Mobile SDK by metaio

February 16th, 2010
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Augmented Reality Software:

[ press release ]

metaio @ Mobile World Congress 2010: Mobile Augmented Reality on the Rise

MUNICH / BARCELONA, February 15th, 2010 – with the release of its Unifeye® Mobile Augmented Reality SDK, a groundbreaking Android demo in cooperation with Sony Ericsson and a speech within the Mobile Visions track, metaio demonstrates its direction as a technology leader in the AR industry.

The Unifeye® Mobile SDK is the world´s first and only software development kit for creating mobile augmented reality (AR) applications. The professional toolbox is supporting all major mobile platforms and features the latest image recognition technologies, 3D rendering for animations with real time interaction and optimized components for mobile hardware. With the Unifeye® Mobile SDK software it is possible to create fascinating marketing experiences, intuitive information design, mobile augmented reality games or innovative retail solutions. Based on the proven AR platform Unifeye® by metaio it is possible to easily develop and deploy solutions at the interface between the real and virtual world.

Showcase: Image Recognition on Android Phones by Sony Ericsson

The power of the Unifeye® Mobile SDK is revealed for the first time within the “Creation Day” event, where metaio shows its latest feature tracking technology on a new device by Sony Ericsson, running the Android platform. Within this inspiring event Sony Ericsson will show the power of Co-Creation and how the mobile content will be created and shared in the future.

The Future of Mobile Augmented Reality

In addition to the product release and showcase, metaio´s CTO Peter Meier will give a speech at the MWC10 within the session:”Mobile Innovation – A Vision of 2020”, which will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday the 17th of February 2010 at 4pm. “This session will take a visionary look into the services and applications that mobile communication will provide in 10 years time and the impact they will have on the way we live and communicate in 2020. The latter half of this session will look at Augmented Reality. (…)”. Peter Meier will also present how the social AR platform “junaio” is becoming a day by day mobile augmented reality experience.

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Mobile World Congress 2010

February 12th, 2010
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The 2010 Mobile World Congress will be held 15-18 February, in Barcelona Spain.

For four days, this beautiful Mediterranean city will become the place for mobile leaders to gather, collaborate, conduct business and experience VISION IN ACTION.

This year’s Mobile World Congress will include:

  • A world-class thought leadership conference featuring visionary keynotes and action-provoking panel discussions
  • An exhibition with more than 1,300 companies displaying the cutting-edge products and technology that will define the mobile future
  • An Awards ceremony  and industry seminars that highlight the most innovative mobile solutions and initiatives from around the world
  • And most importantly, the planet’s best venue for mobile industry networking, finding business opportunities, and making deals

In 2009, Mobile World Congress hosted approximately 47,000 mobile professionals from 182 countries. More than 50% of these were C-Level executives, and 9,000 of them represented mobile network operators from around the world.  In addition, more than 2,400 members of the press reported from the event, representing more than 1,500 media groups from 76 countries.

If your company wants to be a serious player in the mobile eco-system, you can’t afford to miss the 2010 GSMA Mobile World Congress. Join us in Barcelona and see VISION IN ACTION!

Preview the agenda!

Take the MWC Virtual Tour

Download the Brochure

Highlights from last year’s event

Be a part of Mobile World Congress!

Showcase Applications

The following companies/projects will demonstrate their software in the Mobile AR Showcase:

Would you like to participate?

If you are planning to come to the Mobile Augmented Reality Showcase
@ Mobile World Congress and you have a smartphone, then go to the
Apple AppStore, the Android Market and the Ovi Store and download the
applications from companies mentioned above.

On February 17, don’t forget to bring your business cards, your mobile
handset and your open mind! And maybe an umbrella if it begins to rain.

If you are a provider of an application or service and you would like to
demonstrate as part of the Mobile AR Showcase, there is no cost. We only
request that you help us to populate the Showcase directory of applications
by completing this form (same as button above).

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AR Mobile Browsers War (reloaded)

February 3rd, 2010
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We are building a list with all the GPS AR Browsers we know and their features. If we missed some of them down here, please make us notice it.

In the mid while, here’s a poll. What’s your choice?

Which AR Mobile Browser you'd prefer?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

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iButterfly apps augmented Reality

February 2nd, 2010
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AR(Augmented Reality) X Motion Sensor X GPS X Coupon

Contents

“iButterfly” is an entertaining iPhone application using AR, motion sensor, and GPS functions to collect coupons. Through the iButterfly, we will deliver not only coupons but also diverse information and contents as well.

Functions

# Catching is Fun !

Several types of iButterflies will fly at any places.

By using motion sensor, people will be able to enjoy catching the iButterflies physically.

# Beneficially Fun !

Catching iButterflies means getting beneficial information ,contents, and coupons.

# Collecting is Fun !

Collecting diverse iButterflies from many places is fun.

The possibility of new iButterflies linked with Twitter is considered.

Collectors’ ranking will be a motivation for people to collect iButterflies.

# Sharing is Fun !

Among friends, iButterflies will be shared through Bluetooth.

In the near future

Through several experimentations, we will tune up iButterfly and make it better.

After uploading on AppStore, Dentsu will gather partners to use iButterfly for their promotion campaigns.

[source: http://www.mobileart.jp ]

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Wikitude 4

January 25th, 2010
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Wikitude 4 is setting new standards for augmented reality browsers

[press release]

The service now offers new features for end users and technical support to make content available for AR (augmented reality)

Salzburg, 18th of January 2010: Mobilzy updates it’s augmented reality (AR) service Wikitude that is now as easy to use as use a regular web browser. The company based in Salzburg/Austria already won the „Best AR Browser“ Planet Readers Award last year – this year, the sucess of their augmented reality application Wikitude is to be continued and the developer team is once again setting new standards. The new version makes it possible to add so called „overlays“ without having to apply any professional programming skills. Also, the user interface of Wikitude was entirely reworked and matched to all relevant web browsers in usability matters – it is now a lot easier to use and enables the user to access and alter content smoothly. The content has grown accordingly: now, users can not only search websites such as Wikipedia, but also YouTube, Twitter, Google Local Search, Yelp and Booking.com.

More AR informations available now

Wikitude 4 now offers even more location based data of content distributors such as YouTube, Twitter, Google Local Search, Yelp, Qype, Panoramino and Booking.com. Users can now view YouTube videos, read tweets on Twitter, find hotels or restaurants in their vicinity and watch them in AR Mode. A few examples: find the world-renowned „Jedermann“ screening when standing on the „Kapitelplatz“ in Salzburg, watch the last sprint of the cyclists in the „Tour de France“ one more time while strolling down the Champs Élysées or revive the fortunate water landing of US Airways Nr. 1549 on the Hudson River before the backdrop of New Yorks skyline – all that on your smartphone. Wikitude 4 comes with an Android widget which can be added to the home screen of the phone. Local points of interest can be directly retrieved from the home screen.

Create AR content easily – no programming skills needed

In the next few weeks, Wikitude will be constantly offering new content, as adding new content is now a lot easier for users. Now, adding geo-coded data to Wikitude 4 is just as easy as posting a blog post: with the help of the software ARML, that is based on the format KML that Google Earth uses, there are now numerous ways of creating Wikitude content overlays. A good example is the way Austria Advertising is using a Best-of-Austria Overlay to promote touristic regions in Austria. This new advertising opportunity also opens up an entire range of communication possibilities for scheduled events such as the Olympic Games 2010 or the Football World Cup in South Africa this year.

New Interface helps to find and edit a multitude of infos

The user interface of Wikitude 4 is based on established web browsers in order to create an ideal surf experience in „reality“. That way, users can navigate, add bookmarks, check their search history and create and edit overlays and points of interest like they are used to from using their browser.

To make the handling of Wikitude as easy as possible, the latest entries in the geographic vicinity of the user are displayed right after starting the program. That way, the user can immediately chose which overlays are of interest; another new feature is the possibility to see all content in AR camera mode straight away. Just like in a regular web browser, the user can save favorites and get back to it later with just one click. If the user wants to keep track of all the overlays he has looked at, he can simply use the „History“ feature that will remember the last actions.

Adding new content is now made a lot easier with the help of the Wikitude Content Developer Network that consists of certified content developers. Companies that want to add their content to Wikitude can now directly contact that network via content [at] wikitude.org.

Wikitude 4 is now available for free download in the Android Market for all Android Phones. The iPhone 3GS version of Wikitude 4 that was developed in cooperation with the development partner easyMobiz will be available with the next weeks.

The free version Wikitude 3 for Symbian (N97 und N97 mini) is available in the Ovi Store.

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CubeCheater iPhone app

January 10th, 2010
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The CubeCheater iPhone app takes pictures of Rubik’s cubes and shows you how to solve them!

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