Reading Response Week
of 10/29-10/31
Craig, Understanding
Augmented Reality (Chapter 8 – Augmented Reality Applications)
On page 230, Craig introduces the basic idea of a
magic-mirror styled application. Craig (2013) writes of “look[ing] in the
mirror and seeing yourself” altered (p. 230), I immediately thought of Google+ and its overlay features. Through
the social networking site, a user’s computer camera acts as the mirror,
reflecting the user to herself as well as to those in the chat. Craig (2013)
describes how users can allow AR to “adorn [them] with jewelry, a new style of
glasses, a new hat, etc.,” and Google+ does
just that, plus (no pun intended). The following image, compliments of Google
Images, showcases some of the interface’s features.
The main girl (pictured in the larger frame) is shown with cat-like features. Some of her chat buddies seen below have overlays of dogs and devil horns. These depict only a few of the many graphic options available for users in Google+. I routinely use this feature to video chat my former roommates from Virginia Tech, and we get a real hoot out of some of the features. In addition to the graphic components, there are audio clips to use too.
In reading
Craig’s chapter, I became interested in the idea of this form of application as
interactive. He writes how applications could allow the user “to try on new
clothes, then change the color of these clothes, and choose from a variety of
jewelry, etc.” (p. 231). I’d heard of this idea in recent months, and went to
Google to uncover the source.
Toyko-based Uniqlo is the fourth-largest fashion
retailer in the world, and houses its very own magic mirror. As reported by CBSNews in June 2013, there are only seven Uniqlo
stores in the United States, but the organization is looking to expand at a
rapid pace. Known for stocking clothing and apparel
in numerous colors, Uniqlo makes it
easy for the customer to find what she likes; An LCD screen allows the customer
to instantaneously change the color of the particular piece being worn at that
time (pictured here).
Craig (2013)
extends the idea of interactive AR and magic mirrors in his section of magic
windows and doors. While he doesn’t mention this particular medium in the text,
television is a prime spot for illustrating this concept. According to Craig
(2013), a magic window or door can be one “through which you can see the real
world as it is seen through that door or window, only augmented by digital
information” (p. 232). Today’s fantasy and sci-fi television programs give users
a glimpse of this concept. The popular ABC show, Once Upon A Time, is known for this via its use of portals to
another land. I’ve included some pictures (compliments of Google Images) that
depict these spaces or represent the path the characters take to travel through
AR means.
The hat might
also serve as an example of a “magic lens,” as it allows the show’s characters
to “see the unseen” (Craig, 2013, p. 223). While it’s not hardware, the hat does
adhere to the doings of, or fit the descriptions of tasks carried out by a
tablet, smartphone or other device.
Once Upon A Time, fittingly so, is a television show about
magic. Thus, Craig’s (2013) following quote is applicable in more ways than
one: “AR and magic are similar in many ways. Both of these ideas rely on the
idea that the world that we perceive is based on information provided to our
sense and they both rely on fooling the participant in some way” (p. 225). In
all of the above examples, AR is being used to solve a problem, as Craig puts
it. The interactions are implemented in successful ways, and they showcase
things that couldn’t otherwise be done in another medium (Craig, 2013, p. 224).
Sources:
CBS News.
(2013). The fast rise of Japanese retailer Uniqlo. CBS news. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57590575/
Craig, A. B.
(2013). Augmented reality applications. Understanding
augmented reality: Concepts and applications (221-254). New York: Elsevier.
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