Augmented reality might be a new term for most people. A lot of you might even be asking, what is augmented reality? Well, unlike virtual reality which completely replaces all layers of the real world, augmented reality or AR is a virtual layer and a real life environment placed all in one. But what does this have to do with print?

Like QR codes, augmented reality gives print a chance to come to life. Instead of scanning like you would with your QR code and being immediately taken to the internet, AR allows you to bring paper to life. For example, you are walking by a movie poster and it has an AR code on it, it might allow you to scan the photo with your phone, iPad, etc and watch the trailer embedded in the poster. It might make something on the poster move or come to life. AR can also revolutionize the way students learn. With codes inside textbooks, students will be able to scan it and see 3-D renderings of say the Earth or inside volcanoes. The possibilities are endless.

Sometimes print is thought of as a dying source but according to the Marsid M&M group, “AR is causing print to evolve.” The main thing with this new technology is that it allows print and computers/tablets to work together instead of being forced to use one or the other. These technologies are coming together which is rare. Although AR isn’t as mainstream as QR Codes it is definitely gaining momentum. What do you think of Augmented Reality? Leave your comments below.

When cell phones came around in the 80’s people thought they were an amazing invention. How could it get any better than being able to literally call anyone, anywhere? Well, nowadays, we can definitely do more than just make a phone call. Some people would even say that they rarely use their phone to make a call anymore. Smartphone’s are primarily used for internet, email, text messaging, music, and apps. Not only are Smart phones available anywhere but now people can use their MP3 players or tablets for the same thing as they use their cell phone for to stay connected.

These three devices have changed so much about the world today. They have actually been a source of contention among groups because some say they have caused people to become disconnected. Most people would rather shoot an email or send a text before they would actually call someone on the phone. Even with all of the negatives that people bring up regarding these devices, most of us couldn’t live without them. They help us find directions, buy movie tickets, play a game anywhere, and browse the internet when we need something to do. They are a new form of entertainment that doesn’t seem to be a passing fad.

With every year these new forms of technology are changing and advancing. They can do so much more now than they could do even two years ago!  How have these devices changed how you operate daily? Leave your comments below.

Computers are one of the most diverse forms of media that we have available for use. 30 years ago, people never thought that a computer would be as useful as it is today. There is probably not a business in the world that doesn’t rely on computers for almost everything. Computers offer us something that TV cannot, which is portability and the ability to literally look up and watch virtually anything we want.

Coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses are now offering the ease of internet wherever you might be. With the invention of WIFI (wirelessly connecting electronic devices to the internet), a new way of life came about. You can chat, Skype, work, and browse from practically anywhere. There is hardly a time when we are disconnected from the internet.

The internet is an open platform where people can be as creative as they want and post their ideas and videos from anywhere. Not only videos, but computers have started a new rage of social networking that has been running rampant. Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and LinkedIn have become staples in most people’s lives. It’s also very easy to stay connected with the news from computers as well as the new favorite internet pastime, video streaming.

There are many positives to computers and how they have enriched our daily lives and the negatives of them are hard to find. Do you think with the inventions of Smartphone’s that computers will ever become irrelevant? Laptops are obviously easy to carry around but an IPad is easier. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Most people have more televisions in their houses than people. TVs nowadays can stream internet, movies, and pictures. It’s almost like our televisions have become just as useful as computers. According to the State of the Media Democracy report, 71% of Americans say that television is their favorite form of media.

With DVR (digital video recorder) being so prevalent through most cable outlets, you don’t even have to watch commercials anymore. At the same time though, televisions bring advertisements to life. Ads still remain the most effective on TV compared to Internet ads. Advertisements are much more effective and retained on TV compared to the internet.

What does TV offer that helps it remain the most effective form of media? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

Everyone has their favorite method of media and how they prefer to digest information. The fact that technology is at our fingertips (literally), has changed how fast we can get information as well as how effectively and efficiently we can receive it.

The United States has four favorite means of media; the TV, computer, MP3 players/Smart Phones, and Print. All four of these forms have taken over, and it’s important to realize why these forms are so effective. The next series of blogs will cover each form and why they remain relevant in today’s fast paced world.

Check back soon and please leave your comments below about your favorite form of media.

Why would we write a blog titled “What is Twitter?”  Everyone knows what it is, right?  Well, we are pretty sure that almost everyone knows that it is a social media site, but beyond that, there may be some confusion!  What is it used for?  What is the difference between Twitter and FaceBook?  Why do people Tweet?  With this blog post, we hope to help you understand some of these questions!

Twitter is a social media site where you can post entries that are 140 characters or less!  “Why the character limit”, you ask?  Well, it keeps everything short and sweet!  Which is key in our convenience driven society!  Twitter does allow users to include links in their posts, so if you really have more than 140 characters of information to share, you can always include a link to take the readers to a more in depth webpage!  Just make sure that your post is eye catching enough to drive the readers to actually click on the link!

One major difference between Twitter and FaceBook is that you do not have to have permission to access other peoples “profiles” on Twitter.  All profiles are public and therefore user’s post are not as personal as the posts you typically see on FaceBook.  The information on Twitter is more general. 

Since the information on Twitter is about general topics, when I have something I want an opinion on, I find myself using Twitter like a search engine……this typically will bring up several real people’s opinions on my topic of choice!  Sometimes it is very useful to see what actual people think about a subject as opposed to just reading a definition on Wiki!

So, the next time you want to know what real people think about a subject, try looking it up on Twitter!

Oh yeah……and don’t forget to follow @MilesPrinting on Twitter!  www.twitter.com/milesprinting

I attended the IHIF luncheon yesterday about “Using Social Media to Grow a Health Science Business” …Miles Printing actually live tweeted from the event!  Here are just a few of the things that I learned from the presentation:

Doug Karr is great!  The biggest thing I took from his presentation is that Social Media is not a medium…..it is an audience and in order to be successful you have to listen to the audience.  As a business you must give the audience useful content in order to succeed.  Before making a post, ask yourself “Will this matter to anyone?  Does anyone really care about this?”  and if the answer is NO, then DON’T post it! 

I also learned that there are several companies / softwares out there that help track the social media information!  Miles Printing will be researching some of the following: Trackur, Radian 6 and Jive Software .

If you attended the luncheon please share some of your take backs in the comment section below!

Why are we blogging?

Print provides us with information every day. We pass by it, we read it, we take direction from it, we walk on it, and more than likely we have made a decision to buy products or services based on it. Magnets, clings, danglers, decal, stickers, retail / POP signs, vinyl CD/ DVD packaging, countertop displays, vehicle graphics, trade show exhibits, floor graphics/decals. The list of printed pieces that we encounter on a daily basis goes on and on.

But why blog about it? Good question. It’s understood that as a continuously moving society we have a need for information. How that information is provided gets to the heart of what Miles POP is all about.  By staying on top of what’s new, what’s pertinent, and what’s applicable to our clients’ needs, we set ourselves apart from other UV offset commercial printers in some interesting ways. We’d like to share our way of thinking with you.  We want to show you examples of what we have done and tell you what we can do.  We want to share with you ways in which you can make your next printing project more effective and efficient. 

We hope you will check in with us from time to time and see what we’re up to.  Maybe you can get some interesting ideas to use for your next printing project!