PlayFusion and Games Workshop Join Forces to Create New Warhammer AR, Physical and Digital Trading Card Game

PlayFusion, a leader in enhanced reality entertainment and makers of the ground-breaking TCG Lightseekers, today announced an exciting IP partnership with Games Workshop to develop an all-new way for tabletop war gaming and for TCG fans to experience the Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe. The new game will feature physical trading cards, a fully digital trading card game for mobile and PC, and a completely immersive augmented reality experience using PlayFusion's proprietary computer vision and augmented reality technology, the Enhanced Reality Engine.

"Partnering with Games Workshop fulfills a lifelong dream of contributing to the Warhammer universe. The majority of our team and I grew up part of the Warhammer community, so it's a huge honour for all of us to not only partner with such an iconic British company but also to contribute to one of the original and best fantasy IPs in the world," said Mark Gerhard, CEO and Co-Founder of PlayFusion. 

PlayFusion will launch the new Warhammer Age of Sigmar Champions experience in July 2018. The physical trading card game will feature hundreds of collectible cards that players can use to build their own decks to fit their strategy and tactics. The physical cards will also come to life when viewed through PlayFusion's Enhanced Reality Engine™, allowing fans to unlock various enhanced gameplay options while also giving them an exciting new way to explore the Warhammer Age of Sigmar world. PlayFusion will continue to partner with Games Workshop for many years to come to offer new game expansions and additional card reveals.

Available for iOS, Android and PC, the game will give the Warhammer community a new way to experience the universe either physically or on their favorite devices with online play. Warhammer Age of Sigmar Champions will also feature unique physical-to-digital experiences that allows players to import their physical cards into the digital game and play them online.

"Working with such a talented and accomplished group like PlayFusion is an absolute privilege. Their passion, technological expertise and just sheer 'can do' attitude has been seriously impressive," said Jon Gillard Head of Licensing for Games Workshop. "Taking the richness of Warhammer Age of Sigmar and merging it with their innovative hybrid physical/digital trading card game makes for a winning combination anyway, but add in the cool AR functionality and this game is really something special." 

Fans can pre-register for Warhammer Age of Sigmar Champions by visiting www.warhammerchampions.com. Additional details will be revealed at the Games Developers Conference in San Francisco.

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Bose Introduces Audio Augmented Reality Platform and glasses to hear

Unveils the Future of Mobile Sound in Eyewear Prototype This week at SXSW, Bose introduced Bose AR, the world's first audio augmented reality platform, and glasses to hear— a Bose AR prototype that launches the future of mobile sound.  Bose also announces its SDK schedule date for developers, manufacturers, and research institutions, along with collaborations currently under way, and venture funding for related start-ups. Unlike other augmented reality products and platforms, Bose AR doesn't change what you see, but knows what you're looking at— without an integrated lens or phone camera.  And rather than superimposing visual objects on the real world, Bose AR adds an audible layer of information and experiences, making every day better, easier, more meaningful, and more productive. Bose AR debuts a minuscule, wafer-thin acoustics package developed specifically for the platform, representing the future of mobile micro-sound with jaw-dropping power and clarity.  It can be seamlessly built into headphones, eyewear, helmets and more, with no compromise to their existing functionality.  And it allows simple head gestures, voice, or a tap on the wearable to control content— replacing the need to swipe, type, or tap a touchscreen for the same commands. "Bose AR represents a new kind of augmented reality— one that's made for anyone and every day," said John Gordon, vice president of the Consumer Electronics Division at Bose.  "It places audio in your surroundings, not digital images, so you can focus on the amazing world around you— rather than a tiny display.  It knows which way you're facing, and can instantly connect that place and time with endless possibilities for travel, learning, music and more. And it can be added to products and apps we already use and love, removing some of the big obstacles that have kept AR on the sidelines." BOSE PROTOTYPE GLASSES— AUGMENTING WHAT YOU HEAR, NOT WHAT YOU SEE The first Bose AR wearable— a prototype pair of glasses— was engineered and manufactured by Bose.  They're Bluetooth compatible with microphones for calls, Siri or Google Assistant.  And they debut a new proprietary technology that keeps audio private.  With an ultra-slim, ultra-light, ultra-miniaturized acoustic package embedded discreetly in each arm, they can fit, function and look like standard eyewear, but sound and function more like Bose headphones— delivering amazing, lifelike performance that no one can hear but you. THE BOSE AR PLATFORM The Bose AR platform is purposely straightforward, focused on improving daily life instead of extremes.  In addition to delivering stunning audio quality for listening to music, talking on the phone, or using VPAs, a Bose AR wearable uses sensors to track head motion, and the GPS from an iOS or Android device to track location.  The sensors send the motion and location data to a Bose AR-enabled app that aggregates the information, sending relevant, real-time content back to the user's ears instantly.  It's all done hands-free, heads-up, and wirelessly, so there's no need to grab, read or touch the phone. And it can be used for multiple applications. FOR TRAVEL Bose AR can make every trip easier and more meaningful, transforming sightseeing into sighthearing.  Like simulating historic events at landmarks as you view them— so voices and horses are heard charging in from your left, then passing right in front of you before riding off in the direction of their original route, fading as they go.  Or letting you listen to a renowned speech "pinned" precisely to the famous person in a monument's statue.  Or telling you which way to turn towards your departure gate while checking in at the airport.  FOR LEARNING Bose AR can make the world a classroom.  Like translating the sign you're reading.  Or telling you the word or phrase for what you're looking at in any language.  Or explaining the story behind the painting you've just approached. FOR MUSICBose AR can put playlists right in front of you, so you can control them with gestures as easily as voice or touch.  With your wearable on, you can choose or change your music with simple head nods indicating yes, no, or next. FOR EVERY DAY Bose AR doesn't interfere with a wearable's primary purpose— it adds useful information based on where you look.  Like the forecast when you look up, or the restaurants on the street you look down.  COLLABORATIONS The Bose AR platform is open to approved developers and manufacturers.  Collaborations underway include ASICS Studio, Strava, TripAdvisor, TuneIn, and Yelp. Bose is also collaborating with academic research institutions, including the MIT Media Lab to advance human interaction related to augmented audio reality, and the NYU Future Reality Lab. Additional agreements have non-disclosure terms and will be announced in the future. VENTURE FUNDING AVAILABLE Bose will invest up to $50 million in start-ups focused on apps, services, or technologies for the Bose AR platform.  SDK AND AVAILABILITY The Bose AR SDK, and limited quantities of a refined and updated version of the Bose AR glasses, will be available this summer.  Sign-up information and details can be found at Developer.Bose.com/Bose-AR.

                                                           

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ASUS Zenfone AR launched in India for Rs 49,999/- , with impressive tech embedded in it.

ASUS has announced launch of ASUS Zenfone AR the world's first Tango and Daydream enabled phone which opens a new dimension for use of smartphones. The phone is a result of co-operation of ASUS with Google's Tango and Daydream team, and Qualcomm which improvised its Snapdragon 820 series to come up with Snapdragon 821 enabling smoother and Accurate AR , VR experience.

The device comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB internal storage to support resource extensive applications which makes sense with AR focused tech in the phone.

ASUS Zenfone AR

The device in itself is a tech marvel considering the fact that we have a finished end consumer product and not any prototype. ASUS has stood apart from the crowd on many occasions be it the first phone with 4 GB RAM or first phone with a 3x optical zoom. But what we liked most about Zenfone AR is that it packs so much in its compact body. Unlike Zenfone Zoom which was too bulky to be used as a primary phone, the Zenfone AR is quite compact with just 4.8mm thickness on edges and less than 8mm thick at its thickest point. 

Notice the Geyser and Shower shown on big screen is added using AR

Smartphones have changed the way we look at our phones and use them in our day to day life, this transition has come in last 10 years. But today with launch of Zenfone AR, I truly believe that it is going to add more dimensions to mobile usage. We recently discussed about different usecases of using an AR enabled phone.

TriCam System

The device packs in 3 camera on rear with the primary being 23 MP sensor for capturing vivid details. The other two sensors are there to sense depth and motion. The launch event also had live demo of the AR capabilities of the smart phone where in we were shown the future of buying a car with the BMW app , where in user can Augment the car on the phone in real environment and inspect and customize various features as if done in a physical car. Another demo was done by Pune based Renewate demoed their app, which was again very cool as using this app you can plan the interiors, furniture, fittings of your house by using AR.

The Asus ZenFone AR has a 5.7-inch WQHD (2K) (1440 x 2560) display. This large size and high resolution screen makes it ideal for VR apps and games when used with Daydream View, immersing users in incredible VR worlds that appear detailed and lifelike. Super AMOLED technology enables deep blacks and high contrast, further enhancing image quality and 3D effects.

With ZenFone AR and Daydream View, users can explore new worlds with apps like Street View and Fantastic Beasts, kick back in a personal VR cinema with YouTube VR and Netflix, and get in the game with Gunjack 2, Need for Speed and more.

ZenFone AR is designed with the latest, top-of-the-line components to provide high-quality AR and VR experiences. This cutting-edge hardware also makes ZenFone AR one of the most powerful smartphones available.

ZenFone AR features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor that has been specially optimized for the demanding, real-time calculations of AR. ASUS worked closely with Qualcomm Technologies and Google engineers to help develop methods for efficiently distributing computer-vision workloads, as well as rapidly processing movement and positioning instructions with Tango to deliver smooth, immersive, and compelling AR experiences. It also features the desktop-class Qualcomm Adreno 530 graphics-processing unit (GPU) to deliver supercharged graphics performance and handle the graphical demands of Tango and Daydream applications with ease.

ZenFone AR is the world's first smartphone with 8GB of RAM, enabling it to handle the demands of AR and VR with ease. It also helps with heavy multitasking, allowing users to keep dozens of apps open simultaneously, and instantly switch among them. ZenFone AR also includes 128GB of fast UFS 2.0 storage, enabling users to store a large library of apps, games, videos, photos, and music, and open them quickly.

ZenFone AR is backed by a 3,300mAh battery pack with Quick Charge 3.0 - fastest, most efficient charging technology by Qualcomm to date. This technology enables 60% battery charge in only 45 mins.

 Flipkart is offering INR 2500/- off on Google Daydream View VR Headset along with purchase of ZenFone AR. Additionally, the consumer can avail no cost EMI offer upto 9 months. Every Jio and Zenfone AT user will get up to 100GB additional 4G data and complimentary Jio Prime membership. The user can avail the additional 4G data in the form of one additional 10GB data voucher per recharge or Rs 309 or above, for a maximum of 10 recharges till March’18. This data is over and above the benefits of the pack.

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