The Archives
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05.13.13National Geographic Kids Scanner app works with books and magsWe've seen a fair few children's apps using augmented reality technology, which is the idea of pointing your smartphone or tablet's camera at something in the real world, and getting digital content (whether it be dinosaurs, sharks or ghosts) in return. The latest big company experimenting with the idea is National Geographic, with its National Geographic Kids Scanner app for iOS. "This digital companion to National Geographic Kids books and magazines allows you to get free digital extras on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad," explains its App Store listing. "Just look for the Digital Extras! symbol in NG Kids publications, scan, ...
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05.07.13iDinosaur and iSolar System books have augmented reality appsAugmented reality (AR) technology involves seeing digital characters and/or information superimposed on the real world when you look through a smartphone or tablet, using its camera. Plenty of adults are sceptical about AR's usefulness, but we suspect 'entertaining children' may turn out to be one of its key uses. Two new books from Carlton Publishing Group – iDinosaur and iSolar System – show why. The books are educational, telling children about dinosaurs and the Solar System with a mixture of bitesize text and images, targeting kids aged six and upwards. Continue Reading...
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02.12.13VTech’s Switch & Go Dinos Get Free Augmented Reality AppVTech has released an app featuring its popular Switch & Go Dinos toys – but you’ll need access to a printer to use it. To use the app, you must first download and print a poster from VTechDinoDen.com (following the Dinos Alive! link) - there are seven different dinos to choose from. If you then view the entire poster on your iPad or iPhone screen, the augmented reality app reveals a 3D, movable dinosaur to 'play' with - by touching the screen your child can make the dino move, roar and transform. VTech’s Switch & Go Dinos is suitable for children aged three ...
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01.04.13Cut the Rope hero Om Nom gets Candy Flick augmented reality appMillions of children have fallen in love with Om Nom, the loveable monster hero from the Cut the Rope mobile games. Now he's got his own Candy Flick app. It's less a game and more a playtoy, using nifty augmented reality technology. The idea: point your iPhone or iPad camera at the real world around you, and see a little virtual Om Nom appear. "Test your aim by flicking yummy treats into this adorable monster's mouth, and watch him come to life in 3D animations," explains the App Store l isting. "Toss the candy from challenging distances and try to earn all ...
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11.30.12Paint My Cat app prowls onto iPadPaint my cat? You'll be lucky to get near her with a brush... Thankfully, the virtual cats in Nanu Interactive's new iPad app Paint My Cat are more obliging. It's neat, actually. You start with a 2D cat drawing, which your child can paint using a row of virtual brushes. But the clever bit comes when the cat peels itself off the background and turns into a 3D animal, which then wanders around virtual rooms playing with his toys. Continue Reading...
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09.10.12Everybody’s got something to hide except me and my augmented reality monkeyWe've written about quite a few augmented reality apps for kids since starting Apps Playground. The idea of seeing digital characters appearing in your real world when you look through a smartphone or tablet has lots of potential for children's apps. The latest example: Dekko Monkey. Described by his makers as a "digital toy who has come to life", he's an animated 3D monkey that jumps around your table, bed, carpet or whatever other real-world thing you point your iPad at. "For best results, find a textured scene (such as some books or a messy table) in a well lit environment," warns ...
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09.03.12Augmented reality sharks star in Guinness World Records 2013 appThe warning is right there in the headline: AR sharks mean the Guinness World Records 2013 Augmented Reality app may not be ideal for children with sensitive souls. Or, indeed, parents who can't watch Jaws without hiding behind the sofa... Other kids and adults may enjoy it though. This is an official app for the latest Guinness World Records book – earlier versions of which held me rapt as a want-to-know-it-all boy. "If you've got the book, download this AR viewer now to see record holders come to life as stunning 3D animations," explains the App Store listing. Which means sharks bursting out of the pages ...
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08.31.12Horrible Hauntings promises augmented reality ghosts and ghoulsWhat's more scary than a book about ghosts including The Headless Horseman, Bloody Mary and the Princes in the Tower? How about an app that brings them to life? That would be Horrible Hauntings, which is available now as separate apps for iPhone/iPad and for Android. The twist being that the augmented reality app works with the print version of the book, which comes out in October. The idea: "Scan the pages of the children's book, Horrible Hauntings, to see and interact with 3D ghosts." Children will also be able to interact with the spectres by moving their phone, touching the screen ...
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08.19.12Seebo Incredible Worlds is an app+book experienceWe've written about a few apps designed to be used with printed books in recent months: IMAG•N•O•TRON and Scooby Doo Who Are You? for example. Now there's another for the list: Seebo Incredible Worlds. The app comes from an intriguing new company called Seebo, which according to its website is "currently in stealth mode". The release of its new app presumably means it's about to get less stealthy. Continue Reading...
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08.16.12Animal augmented reality with Mask Jumble Animals appThere are plenty of matching games available for iPhone and iPad, but how many turn your children into animals using augmented reality (AR) technology? Mask Jumble Animals appears to be a first in that regard. Launched by developer Pi'ikea Street, it's described as "the first augmented reality game for kids which uses face recognition to let them pretend and match animal masks in a real time video mirror". We certainly won't argue with that statement. Continue Reading...
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