Augmented reality (AR)—10 years ago, this technology would have seemed like a concept that only belonged in “The Matrix” movies. Flash forward to 2018, and this technology is no longer just a concept, it’s the next big thing for the promotional products industry. In fact, according to Digi-Capital, AR and virtual reality are expected to grow to $108 billion by 2021, with mobile phone AR leading the way. Doesn’t this seem like a business opportunity you could get behind? With tech giants like Apple making AR more accessible to the everyday consumer, it’s easier than ever to
break into this market.
If the idea of incorporating augmented reality into your promotional business seems inaccessible and intangible to you, fear not. Here’s everything you need to know about AR.
The Trend
- The market for AR products is projected to grow 80 percent to $165 billion by 2024, according to Global Market Insights.
- Americans spend five hours a day looking at their phones, according to analytics firm Flurry, paving the way for brands to reach consumers with AR.
What Is Augmented Reality?
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In order to sell promotional products that incorporate AR, you have to understand what it is. In simplest terms, it takes an outside computer-generated image and overlays it in a user’s current view. An example of this technology at work is the hot sensation, Pokemon Go, an app that utilizes a player’s smartphone camera to overlay images of fictional creatures on a user’s phone, making it look like there are Pokemon directly in the immediate surroundings.
Another example is Disney’s promotional “Star Wars” campaign. Fans of the saga can use a mobile app to unlock exclusive experiences at 20,000 stores selling merchandise worldwide. And for SXSW, National Geographic promoted its new series “Genius” by using AR headsets to let viewers experience Albert Einstein’s theories and research right in front of their eyes.
How Can It Help My Business?
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While AR might seem too complex for your clients’ marketing efforts, it’s actually the perfect way to bring a company’s branding to a wider audience. A company launching a new product that requires a demonstration to truly sell its advantages could give AR-enabled promotional products to prospective buyers. By scanning a promotional product with an AR app, prospective buyers can witness the interactive features and sophistication of these products from the comforts of their homes with their smartphones or tablets.
Rubik’s® and Magic Concepts items enabled with AR can activate an experience such as an animated logo or product that appears in an alternate reality or in the real world. In a real-world scenario, the user can interact with the logo or product and manipulate it to create amazing pictures that can be posted directly to social media. It also offers AR experiences that can activate a video or URL when scanned.
In the near future, other AR-enabled products such as T-shirts, bags and journals are expected to be available in the promotional products industry.
For tips on technology and apparel trends, read the rest of Prime Line’s #What’s Trending Now Winter 2018 edition here.
