Until recently, the global media industry had been relatively stable, with a robust value chain and well-defined business models.
Today, multiple factors are tearing at the fabric of those finely tuned business models: new players such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Apple offer consumers new ways of accessing professional video content; technology standards are in flux; and regulatory and macroeconomic factors undermine consumer and investor confidence.
Last week, more than 90,000 media and entertainment officials from 150 countries descended on Las Vegas for NAB Show, the annual National Association of Broadcasters conference. I attended to share some of predictions for the industry that we have developed in the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG). In particular, I spoke at a breakfast briefing for CxO-level executives about the impactful yet uncertain effects of four key drivers—consumer behavior, regulatory changes, technology, and macroeconomics—in an effort to better define their media-industry disruptions: Read More »
By Ian Symes, Director of Marketing, Cisco UK and Ireland
Throughout the Games, just steps away from the Olympic Stadium, crowds have gathered around CiscoCloud, our interactive digital installation at the heart of the Olympic Park.
The installation is positioned opposite the Arcelor Mittal Orbit and is made up of five interactive pods which use 3D image technology to capture visitors’ faces, and create their Olympic ‘GamesFace2012’ using London 2012 images sourced from the web.
Imagine you’re at a lunch meeting with prospective customers and they begin to ask you questions about the Cisco Nexus 5010 Switch. Wouldn’t it be great if you could use your iPad or other mobile device to show a demo of the switch before your entree even arrived?
The Kaon 3D Data Center Models make it possible for you to do just that. Download the interactive 3D models of the Cisco data center products to your iPad, iPhone, laptop, or desktop. Once it’s downloaded, you’re able to quickly and easily demo Cisco data center and switching products anytime, anywhere. No need for access to an in-person demo center or actual product to show off the features and benefits to prospects and customers.
What would anytime, anywhere access to Cisco data center products mean to you? Shorter sales cycles, of course!
Take a tour of this handy tool and find out how you can start using it today. Read More »
Remember the view master? It is still one of my favorite toys of all time. I loved slipping the card in the device and seeing those 3D images. It may have sparked my love for all things 3D.
So imagine my joy when I heard about iPhone virtual reality viewer. This device couples with an iPhone to enable immersive, 3D viewing experiences. It comes with free downloadable applications that take advantage of the accelerometer in the iPhone. In these applications the 3D environments move when the iPhone moves. So in addition to viewing 3D movie trailers, you can become a Great White Shark (or some other species if so inclined) and tool around underwater to hunt for prey and buried treasure. You can also take a virtual tour of the LA Santa Monica pier or race underground in a hovercraft.
Augmented reality was all the hype in 2011 but today many feel it may be losing its appeal due to laggy performance , most agree it will be quite some time before it used widely by the mainstream.
However some recent news shines a spot light on how augmented reality is evolving and becoming more appealing to the majority.
There are some devices on or coming on the market that enable 3D…drum roll…without the glasses! Many of these are handheld devices such as the Nintendo 3DS and the LG Optimus 3D smart phone which both leverage AR to enable some engaging end user experiences such as:
The Nintendo 3DS comes with a packet of AR cards that enable you to play games such as Archery, AR Shots, Fishing and more. Using the system’s camera to read the cards and then project the games onto any flat surface such as your desk or hand.
Wikitude will deploy a 3D AR browser on the LG Optimus 3D. Using the phone’s built-in GPS to locate your position, the camera displays your current view on the screen and icons are overlaid providing information on your surroundings.
These are really positive advances for 3D and AR but they still require that AR marker to scan or rely on GPS in order to deliver the AR experience. That is why Sony’s SmartAR announcement is truly exciting as it requires no marker in order to deliver the AR experience. Read More »
