Augmented Reality t-shirts opened the night with chests unearthing big scary creatures demonstrating the entertaining and playful quality of augmented reality that enables engagement times, sense of discovery and shareworthiness. Opening the serious discussion of the night was the overview of the AR eco-system and what platforms are working well with download numbers and what one’s are peoples favourite.

The nights most controversial marketing and branding discussion centered on the IKEA AR catalogue winning the main prize. There is no doubting the expanse of the IKEA catalogue granting the AR community a level of legitimacy however we find now that the augmented reality function has been stripped from the catalogue. Many people have argued as they did at this meetup, IKEA didn’t make best use of the technology in the first place… it is one thing to have a 3D model appear from an image and another to enable that model in scale and in situ http://www.augmentedplanet.com/2012/10/readers-choice-awards-2012-results/

There was a collective hat tip to Oakley for their head mounted display ski goggles however two commonly perceived truth stretches. 1. Calling it augmented reality 2. Buddy finder… with the device shown currently we do not see how this function is possible so it should be shown in fairness not to be a current feature. Jump analytics is cool. http://www.qrcodepress.com/augmented-reality-ski-goggles/8513623/

‘Mark Turner brought up with the audience the work of MIT Lab and questioned what effect this might have on the development and considerations of augmented reality eyewear http://gamelab.mit.edu/games/a-slower-speed-of-light/

The review of the Oculus Rift sparked conversation around how the specific use cases will inspire virtual reality gaming however for augmented reality experiences the evidence is yet to come. No doubt the impressive field of view will satisfy many punters: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/728424/oculus-rift-virtual-reality-headset-preview-seeing-is-believing/

“What hope have we got when we are also up against apps” claims Tech Radar. http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/apple-iglass-the-augmented-reality-glasses-to-kill-casual-conversation-1108905  Citing Apple’s patent for peripheral treatment for head-mounted displays “projecting a source image in a head-mounted display apparatus for a user” to deliver “an enhanced viewing experience” for her or him, Tech Radar is concerned we are already “divorced enough from reality”. This highlights the education that will be required and the genuine challenges that may exist in proving AR eyewear improves our link to the real world and enhances our lives.

One feels Tech Radar may have been addicted to the Warner Bros series H+ which gives one of the greatest interface examples in Hollywood however does a great job of sensationalizing the dangers of adopting high end technology http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZedLgAF9aEg – you be the judge.

This dramatic eye to the future is balanced with news of today from Nuremberg where industry is using monocular displays (and it seems bullet proof vests) to pack and deliver more efficiently. The technology is so practically worthwhile there is a positive quote from the CFO, Our thoughts from Explore Engage is that this experience is brilliant for the bottom line and the employee however the kit size is not necessary. http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/distribution-and-transportation/news/knapp-views-reality-in-an-augmented-fashion-83414

Positioning is no doubt an integral component to AR growth. This piece from the OGC was discussed and the merits of standards and what direction it takes companies was considered http://www.opengeospatial.org/pressroom/pressreleases/1721

Taking a look at the local scene in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and elsewhere in Australia, all guests were invited to the final GeoRabble for 2012 http://georabble.org/

The next Sydney Augmented Reality meetup will be held Thursday 13th December at 14 Meagher St Chippendale

Sydney Augmented Reality Meetup venue – look out for the sign for Explore Engage

Chippendale, just near Central Business District of Sydney, is the home of Sydney Augmented Reality Meetup hosted by Explore Engage. This group is to gather Augmented Reality enthusiasts of all descriptions – augmented reality app developers, enthusiasts, technical, arts, sports, industrial, commercial, investors, entrepreneurs and simply any end user.

The venue is 5 minutes walk from Sydney Central Station or 3mins walk from University of Technology Sydney. The area of Chippendale, Sydney is a creative hub that is emerging at a fast rate as exemplified by the BEAMS festival. At different times we do change the venue depending on the sponsorships and we advise to check up www.meetup.com/ar_syd for more details.

There is a lot happening in this niche technology and in particular locally in Sydney which beckons more co-ordinated face to face interactions and formal/informal meetup gatherings. For marker based AR through to location based services, jump on board with us!

If this is successful a similar augmented reality event will be held in Melbourne commencing soon.

Augmented Reality in Sydney has had a fair bit of activity and it is nice to bring together the industry into a co-ordinated event. Paul Kouppas of Explore Engage Augmented Reality usually hosts the technical talks and invitations whilst Scott OBrien hosts the campaign, conceptual and special guests.

In Australia there seems to be about 1M+ smartphone owners who have downloaded an Augmented Reality application at some stage. Explore Engage, Augmented Reality specialists, have seen a little over half of this number to date. We are looking forward to the next year where the number should increase to about 3-5 million AR downloads and from 5% awareness to 20%. So no matter what technical understanding you might have, from zero to genius, you are all welcome to join us in this new way of looking at the world.

Explore Engage Augmented Reality, address is 14 Meagher St Chippendale and if you get lost, our number is +61 2 9690 1225

Watch Clumsy Smurf come alive in the palm of your hand. Play with Clumsy Smurf, take a picture with him, upload to Facebook and share your Smurf experience with your friends.

The “Your Smurf” app is an augmented reality experience that brings Clumsy Smurf to life.

The App turns the cover of the “The Smurfs” 4 Play Box, available exclusively at JB HI Fi stores in Australia into a virtual stage for Clumsy. For the first time ever, see a Smurf come to life in the real world. To trial the experience, users can also download a limited activation image for the experience from http://yoursmurfar.com

ACTIVATE: Download the “Your Smurf” App. Then locate the “The Smurfs” 4 Play box, available exclusively at JB Hi Fi or the limited activation image. The app will only work with “The Smurfs 4 Play” Box or limited activated image. Once located, launch the “Your Smurf” App and point your camera at “The Smurfs 4 Play” box to view the entire front cover or a print out of the limited activation image. Watch Clumsy Smurf come to life.

PLAY: Once Clumsy appears, players can interact with him in a number of ways:

· Tickle – Touch Clumsy to tickle him and make double over with laughter.
· Walk – Touch anywhere on the “Four Play” box visible on your phone screen to make a mushroom appear. Clumsy will walk to this mushroom.
· Picture Pose 1 – select the Clumsy Image Icon to make Clumsy assume a cool dance pose. Clumsy will hold this pose until you touch the “4 Play” box visible on your phone screen. Take a picture with Clumsy and then upload to Facebook or save it to your camera roll.
· Picture Pose 2 – select the Thumb Icon to make Clumsy assume a thumbs up pose. Clumsy will hold this pose until you touch the “4 Play” box visible on your phone screen. Take a picture with Clumsy and then upload to Facebook or save it to your camera roll.

LOCATE: For the complete experience, users require “The Smurf” movie 4 Play Box is available exclusively at JB Hi-Fi. For details of store locations, see http://www.jbhifi.com.au/. To enjoy the limited experience, users can also print the image from http://yoursmurfar.com