Tag: augmented reality

Augmented reality may have a bigger role to play in mobile commerce

| November 15, 2012

 

Augmented reality set to mesh with mobile commerce

Augmented reality isAugmented Reality often considered to be a technology that primarily inhabits the realms of marketing and entertainment. In these two fields, the technology has become exceedingly popular. As augmented reality becomes more popular amongst consumers, retailers are beginning to see the potential of the technology beyond marketing and entertainment. A new survey from the Cardinal Group, a leading provider of shopping technology and security solutions for the retail industry, suggests that mobile commerce may soon merge with augmented reality.

Interactive technology growing beyond marketing and entertainment

Augmented reality often garners acclaim because of its dynamic nature. The technology can be used to bring a wide range of digital content to life with high definition, 3D displays. Consumers have come to enjoy the technology for this reason, showing favor for mobile applications that employ augmented reality in an entertaining and practical way. As consumers become more reliant on their mobile devices, augmented reality may begin playing a larger role in the field of mobile commerce, which itself has already become rampantly popular with consumers.

New survey shows consumers are interested in mobile commerce and augmented reality

According to the survey from the Cardinal Group, 55% of shoppers have downloaded a mobile application onto their device, with 51% of these consumers having made a purchase through such applications at some point in their life. The Cardinal Group also employed an augmented reality mirror, called the Virtual Fashion Mirror, at a recent London event, which was used by 87% of those attending. The survey also shows that consumers are growing increasingly interested in the capabilities of augmented reality in mobile commerce.

Future of mobile commerce may become more dynamic

Augmented reality could potential bring a new dynamic to the world of mobile commerce. The retail industry uses augmented reality to sell products in a limited capacity through virtual fashion mirrors similar to the one used by the Cardinal Group. These applications of augmented reality have proven effective in the past, but how the technology will be incorporated into the future of mobile commerce has yet to be seen.

QR codes confronted with threat of being replaced

| November 9, 2012

 

qr codes replacement threatQR codes seeing rampant use that may soon render them useless

QR codes are popular in marketing and widely used around the world. The codes have proven useful in engaging mobile consumers in a dynamic way, allowing marketing campaigns to target people that have a history of being difficult to engage. QR codes saw early success when they first began seeing widespread use in the mid-1990’s, and now companies eager to appeal to mobile consumers are using the codes as much as possible. Without a clear strategy, the value and impact of QR codes has begun to diminish and many consumers are now wary of the codes and avoiding them entirely.

Poor experiences generate consumer fatigue

Poor execution has created consumer fatigue where QR codes are concerning. Spire Research, a market analysis firm, notes that QR codes are now only used by a minority of consumers that are exposed to them. Leon Perera, CEO of Spire Research, claims that QR codes have established a foothold in the print industry because they are considered examples that a magazine, newspaper, or other publication has adopted a more tech-savvy stance, not because they are being widely used.

Augmented reality and NFC technology may be more effective than QR codes

QR codes are coming under threat from other interactive technologies that may be more effective marketing and commerce tools. Augmented reality, for example, has proven popular among advertisers that want to provide consumers with dynamic digital content. In terms of mobile commerce, NFC technology is king. QR codes have been used in past mobile commerce initiatives, and are still considered an effective way to sell products to mobile consumers, but NFC technology is more capable in this realm than the codes.

ScanLife sees problems with widespread QR code usage

Mike Wehrs, CEO of ScanLife, a mobile engagement firm renowned for its use of QR codes, claims that the abundance of QR codes may actually be their downfall. Because so many companies make use of the codes without ensuring they provide quality experiences to consumers, many people are being put off by poor execution. Wehrs notes “just because you can place a code on something, doesn’t mean you should.”