Germans publish first magazine using Mobile Augmented Reality

Amazing video demo shows mobile augmented reality application in German magazine publishing, as reported in I<3 Social Media. Enormous creative and tech possibilities for truly interactive magazines, newspapers, books, posters, direct mail, and other printed material. Who says print media is dying?  From the standpoint of interactive storytelling I think print/digital interface is uniquely engaging.

Fascinating example of Augmented Reality Drama and Transmedia Storytelling

^{This post links to a fascinating example of transmedia storytelling in the form of an augmented reality drama game called Conspiracy for Good. Developed by TV creator Tim Kring and sponsored by Nokia, Conspiracy for Good plays out on the Internet, on a mobile device and offline.  The audience plays the part of activists and supporters of the eponymous organization, Conspiracy for Good, and can join in and help direct the action by solving various puzzles spread across different media.} 

^{From a commercial perspective I am especially intrigued by the use of short narrative video clips designed to build interest and advance interaction. Imagine how a brand might engage fans with an episodic augmented reality series?}  

3D bellwether Sony unveils 3D laptop

 3D TV is barely off the ground, but Cnet reports Sony is moving fast with a 3D laptop for spring 2011. Great strategy for Sony, a major content creator with big 3D plans that include its own 3D TV channel.  

New $100 tablet will prime consumers for transmedia

Archos announced a new tablet device that will sell for under $100. In August's Wired, a great story about tablets and the transmedia experience. 

Viral dreams? Start with a good narrative.

Good point: In Ad Age, Jim Louderback, CEO of Revision 3, says most attempts at creating a hit viral video fail for lack of a good, sustainable narrative. 

Amex at the U.S. Open - Multimedia Brings Fans Inside the Story

Longtime U.S. Open sponsor American Express has launched NextContenders.com, a digital site that takes tennis fans behind-the-scenes and up close to four of the tournament's young, mediagenic players. The site’s multimedia – video, photo galleries, blog posts, tweets, Facebook, Twitter, etc. - adds a humanizing touch to this elite competition.  Amex's campaign, produced by Interpublic Group agency Momentum Worldwide and Publicis' Digitas, includes a mobile iPhone app plus live audio streaming for Amex cardholders.  The U.S. Open kicked off yesterday and runs through September 12.

In-store iPads boost connectivity

In April, Ad Age ran a story about iPad and its big future with retailers. I saw an example of this at the New York outpost of trendy British clothier All Saints, where iPads are mounted along walls packed with  vintage-style goods. 

It's hard to resist the iPads allure. One touch takes you to the 
company’s website, which is loaded with searchable product content, plus shopping tools and links to its social sites.  You can email item ideas to friends or save them to your own wish list. The AllSaints app automatically syncs its merchandise updates across iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. 

The website and social sites are smart, but wouldn't they be more compelling with some multimedia editorial -- perhaps produced by a lifestyle magazine, TV or film partner? 

T'weens Ready for Rich Transmedia Content

Worth watching: this short video clip with transmedia creator Jill Golick discussing her vision for Ruby Skye P.I., Canada’s first series of transmedia detective mysteries for tweens set for release in October 2010. The digital generation will embrace transmedia stories because they are entertaining, but richer stories can pack a bonus by being educational, too. Kids may not read books and newspapers the way we did, and why should they?  Their time can be better spent consuming rich interactive content on the web.