IBM Augmented Reality App Aims to Personalize Shopping

It's hard to say which is cooler news out of IBM's research labs — the development of plastic ninjas to destroy deadly bacteria, or the news that it's testing augmented reality shopping, "like applying search or a personalized version of Google Goggles to the world of physical store shelves,” as Ad Age puts it.

IBM's mobile app acts like a personal shopping assistant, giving consumers personalized product information while they browse. Consumers download it, then input selection criteria, such as, a low-sugar, high-fiber breakfast cereal, then pan the shelves with their mobile device’s camera across the cereal shelf to identify products that match. 

When the app recognizes a product, the AR technology overlays digital details on the image, such as price, ingredients, and discounts, even providing same-day coupons and loyalty points.Continue reading...