Thumbing through a product catalog can be a little flat, and very low tech. Augmented reality can bring a book to life by pointing a smartphone or tablet camera at coded objects on a page and viewing the results on the smart device's screen. Portugal-based startup Magik Book has created its own spin with brochures that sync with a tablet and launch appropriate videos, animations, music, images and 3D models when a page is turned.
Each brochure comes in a case that folds out into a tablet stand that angles the screen for optimal viewing. The physical brochure is laid flat in front of the tablet, which runs a custom iOS/Android app. The app and experience will be tailored to each client's specific need, though small to medium-sized businesses can use an online Creator tool to design their own catalog, and upload page-appropriate content.
As the customer turns a page in the brochure, augmented content relating to that page appears on the tablet's display. Synced media can include such things as panoramic photos, interactive videos or animated 3D product models. Pages could even be linked to a company's online store, where customers can make purchases or get more information.
The company says that the physical book makes use of proprietary "advanced magnetic field technology" to interact with the tablet's compass and other sensors. Beyond that, no details have been made available other than the startup saying that the physical Magik Book smart paper brochure doesn't need to be powered or wirelessly connected over Bluetooth.
"Magik Book combines physical and digital, traditional and contemporary, setting itself apart as a marketing solution and offering brands a real opportunity to stand out in a crowded market," said Magik Book CEO Hugo Ribeiro. "Integrating both elements makes for a more personal and memorable customer experience."
The Magik Book technology has been designed as a marketing tool for use in stores and showrooms, essentially making a product catalog interactive. But we don't see any reason why the technology can't be used to augment story-telling in kids books, for example, or in the classroom to fuel the imaginations of students. Other than likely cost per unit perhaps, which hasn't been revealed.
A demo of the Magic Book augmented brochure can be seen below.
Source: Magik Book
