Typically, we don’t use this blog as a vehicle to promote media coverage of our company or our software.  This post will be an exception to the rule though because there’s a rather solid piece of qualitative data nestled in the article below.  And, as you hopefully know, it’s our goal to share as much data (from our augmented reality work) as we can with you.

In a NY Times article covering some of the ways the fashion industry has embraced augmented reality, the journalist interviewed a young woman (Elizabeth Cardy, 22) who had used The Webcam Social Shopper on Banana Flame’s site. Here’s the relevant excerpt directly from the article:

“’It was fun,’ Ms. Cardy said. ‘I’d never used my Webcam like that before.’

She was able to ‘try on’ the dress, using her computer screen as a sort of electronic mirror. By gesturing, she operated the virtual controls, adjusting the garment’s position, color and size, and then photographed herself to show friends. In the end, she bought the dress: ‘Seeing it on helped me decide.’“

That last sentence is a doozy isn’t it? Here’s a young woman, a “digital native”, letting us know that Augmented Reality (i.e. The Webcam Social Shopper) directly influenced her purchase decision.  The technology was “fun” for her to use and she made a purchase she otherwise wouldn’t have, because of AR. Don’t look now, but I think that might be called “ROI”…

As always, if you want to discuss, please comment below or you can find me on twitter here.