Popular Science Reveals Augmented Reality Cover Ad Featuring a 3D Look at the Motorola Xoom

Feb. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Popular Science broke virtual ground last year as the first magazine to launch a 3D interactive cover.

By simply holding the March issue cover, on newsstands today, up to a Web camera, iPhone or smartphone, users will be able to virtually preview the Xoom and discover its features and benefits by aiming the magazine at specific logos. By moving the tablet icons back and forth on the corners of the screen users will be able to interact with the device's 3D Google Maps app and YouTube interface.

PopSci.com readers can experience the augmented reality cover at www.popsci.com/grabit.

To enable the March cover, Popular Science utilized software specially developed by Munich/San Francisco based company metaio. World leaders in the area of Augmented Reality technology, metaio’s patented “Unifeye Viewer” software for web applications enables 3D animations to be integrated seamlessly into live-video streams of a webcam and respectively into pictures of the user’s real environment.

The 3D experience is also compatible with a smartphone. Users can download mobile AR browser junaio, and preview the 3D hologram of the tablet as well.  junaio’s highly sophisticated image recognition and object tracking capabilities make it possible to recognize a print ad and call up additional digital content to delight the viewer and draw renewed attention to a sponsor’s message.

"The Popular Science audience always look forward to reading about what’s next, but this month's cover gives them an opportunity to experience firsthand the new technologies that are changing the future of magazines," said David Ginsberg, Integrated Account Manager at Popular Science. "Metaio's software has made it possible for us to keep our readers up to date on the top tech trends in a way that's fun, dynamic and engaging."

To participate in the experience please visit www.popsci.com/grabit.

About metaio:  
As the world leader in augmented reality (AR) technology, metaio develops software products for visual interactive solutions combining real and virtual elements. Based on the software platform Unifeye, 3D-animations can be integrated seamlessly into the real-user`s environment. metaio is also involved in numerous federal, national and international research projects in this field. Our vision is to become a standard in performance and availability at the cutting edge of the real- and virtual world. Founded in February 2003, metaio has 70+ employees at three locations. Headquarters are in Munich, Germany, while the subsidiary companies are metaio USA in San Francisco and metaio Asia in Seoul. At present, metaio operates worldwide for more than 350 renowned clients from various branches and domains. Among them are BMW, Daimler, Siemens, Toyota, Peugeot, EADS, Bertelsmann, KUKA and Volkswagen.
About Popular Science:

Founded in 1872, Popular Science (www.popsci.com) is the world's largest science and
technology magazine, with a circulation of 1.3 million and 7.1 million readers. Each
month, Popular Science delivers “The Future Now,” reporting on the intersection of
science and everyday life with an eye toward what’s new and why it matters. Our readers believe that the future is going to be better, and Popular Science gives them the tools and information to improve their technology and their world. Popular Science was the winner of the 2004 National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Popular Science is published by the Bonnier Corporation (www.bonniercorp.com), one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events.


Contact metaio:
Tia Jackson
PR/Marketing Manager
tia.jackson@metaio.com
Tel.:415-814-3594