Augmented Reality Playboy

Now if only Playboy hopped on the Augmented Reality bandwagon . . . aahh . . . the possibilities.

The December’s edition of Esquire magazine is a special “Augmented Reality” edition. A colleague bought it only because of the specialty and he wasted no time in getting me to check it out. It allows the reader to use custom-designed software and a webcam to access 3D animated and video content and to interact with the pages being viewed. Of course, my initial response was simply wishing I was holding a Playboy magazine with the augmented reality instead.

The augmented reality features are the 3D cover with Robert Downey Jr presenting weather-changing fashion portfolio, a pretty lady presenting time-sensitive funny jokes, a photo slideshow and a Lexus ad. To experience the augmented reality, you need to download the software for Esquire’s website. When the software is activated, it translates a black and white marker on the printed page into a video sequence enhanced by 3D animation on the PC screen. Tilting and turning the page produces different scenarios on the screen.

My immediate feeling about this is that I felt like a toddler with a new fancy toy. Esquire’s market must be toddlers. No doubt Esquire’s design team did some really great work here, but I don’t think it’s a good representation of a promising technology. Video content such as these can be and are already being delivered without having to download a software and waving a magazine in front of your PC’s webcam.

If you're curious and have RM26.00 to spare for the magazine, check out the video here and download the software here.

How To Stay Sexy with Zero Carbon Footprint

If only we would check our carbon footprint as often as we check our rear.  But going beyond just checking how they emit, Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio olive oil farm, north of Rome, is attempting to create a pioneering carbon-neutral farm. A range of new technologies is being installed at the farm as part of an experiment to cut its CO2 emissions to zero over the course of the next year.

They include everything from electric farm vehicles to sun-reflecting paint on storage buildings. One of the key investments is in a unique solar powered battery re-charging centre, built by Cellstrom of Austria. Until now, electricity generated by the sun has generally had to be used immediately. It is one reason why opponents say solar power is limited. 

Depending on the amount of usage, the battery centre can store solar-sourced electricity for up to three days. They are working to extend that to 10 days and more, enabling the farm to continue operating through foggy days when the sun does not shine.

Cellstrom estimates the farm can save 4,500 litres of petrol every year and reduce CO2 emissions by 10 tons.

The farm owner believes they have no choice but to get agriculture to adapt to climate change, and that "it is our interest for the sake of our crops to be friendly to the planet."

So, agriculture is now doing its bit on climate change.

Source: BBC News

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