Ikea beefs up 2013 catalog with companion AR app, doesn't translate Swedish furniture names (video) Jul 20th 2012, 14:24 While many might reckon the days of paper-based catalogs passed with the advent of the web, Ikea's clinging onto its tome for yet another year, but will dust its latest issue with augmented reality. It looks like its 2013 catalog app will arrive with some new camera-centric features on both phones and tablets -- the brief preview video shows a pair of devices that look decidedly iPhone and iPad-esque. The app uses image recognition software from Metaio (avoiding the jarring monotones of QR codes) to identify specific pages and throw in some lightweight extra content, from cutaway views of furniture to "inspirational" video shorts. The agency behind the app has much loftier ideas for the future, including streaming live cooking shows or concerts into Ikea's imaginary rooms. Take a preview tour after the break, but sorry, no meatballs (or hotdogs) at the end. Continue reading Ikea beefs up 2013 catalog with companion AR app, doesn't translate Swedish furniture names (video) Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, Software Ikea beefs up 2013 catalog with companion AR app, doesn't translate Swedish furniture names (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Creativity Online | Email this | Comments | iGills accessory turns iPhone into a dive computer, lets you film underwater Jul 20th 2012, 13:58 Not quite ready to leave wandering the briny depths up to robots, but still crave some undersea tech? The freshly released iGills Smart Diving System can help. With a polycarbonate housing and free companion app, the setup turns your iPhone into a fully featured recreational dive computer and logbook that can plunge up to 130 feet into the drink. Once connected to the waterproof case's 30-pin dock, handsets gain access to depth and temperature sensors in addition to six buttons for in-app navigation. Not only does the software provide vital dive information, it also allows users to take stills and videos of their underwater excursions through a glass camera port. If you're pining for an iOS-assisted diving experience, the iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S-compatible rig will set you back $330. Check out a quick clip of the accessory, complete with requisite rock music, after the break. Continue reading iGills accessory turns iPhone into a dive computer, lets you film underwater Filed under: Peripherals iGills accessory turns iPhone into a dive computer, lets you film underwater originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink iLounge | iGills | Email this | Comments | |