We have developed a series of tried and techniques for promoting layers. Have a look at what we have achieved with Funda, the largest real estate company in Holland

Traffic for the Funda Layer

But, I hear you say, Layar is growing the number of users – so doesn’t that growth just reflect more users on the platform? No, here’s 2 reasons:

1) There are more Layers built every week – so more competition.

2) I’ll share some stats from our own, as yet un-optimized, layers:

Non-Optimized Layer #2

Non-Optimized Layer #3

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

As the Layar platform becomes more complex, and the number of Layers keeps growing we’ve heard many clients say that it is just too difficult to find individual Layars in the catalog – our Android Launcher App for Layar eases this problem for your customers by allowing them to have an app on their mobile desktop.

Once downloaded and installed the app will:

1. Check for an installation of Layar
2. If not installed a message will pop up pointing the user to the Layar Browser in the Android Marketplace.
3. Display a full screen splash image of our choice.
4. Loads Layar and automatically opens reality view of the associated layer.

No fuss, no searching… a great experience for your users!

Here’s show you some screenshots of the funda Android Launcher App:

The launcher gives you a presence in the Android Marketplace

Users can save a shortcut to the app on their desktop

A beautiful splash screen reinforces the branding

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Highlights included:

Demo-ing to Larry Page – his comment: “That’s cool”

Trying out a pair of AR glasses Maaten Lens Fitzgerald had brought along (demo-ing them was not so fun!)

Trying out Google Earth hooked up to 8 flat-screen TVs and a control stick.

Hooking up Layar to our big screen in the event demo area… must remember next time not to demo with an iPhone with a broken compass!

Seeing a robot solve a Rubiks Cube!!

Here’s a few shots from the event:

Maarten with the AR Glasses

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Considering our oldest apps have been live just a shade over 5 weeks we think that’s pretty good going.

Coming soon we have our first international apps with POI spanning the globe – and a 3D concept we are itching to tell you about…. but can’t yet

Also, I’m seeing Layar on the home page of the (UK) iTunes App store under the “New and Noteworthy” section. which should put a lot more users online.

These are exciting times indeed!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Layars "Cool Layars" Blog Post

They liked the Golf app! This application features over 16’000 golf courses across America and over 2000 in the UK, with details about the course and satellite view (so you can plan your shots in advance).

Congrats also to the 4 other featured Layars. Which included:

Mobnotes – short for “mobile notes” – allows you to share your preferred places with your friends

A simple way of telling where you are and what you do, even with photos and videos. You can register for Mobnotes in Layar and directly start sharing your notes with the rest of the world. Mobnotes has 80.000 users so far.
Developer: Gino Micacchi,www.mobnotes.com

Peaks – Peaks in Switzerland and the rest of the world
This layer shows the name and the height of mountain peaks. The geo-data for the layer is taken from www.geonames.org which is a public service that works in a wiki-like way. Everyone can easily add mountain names and heights. So, if you see that your favorite mountain is not in this layer yet: add it!
Developer: Josias Thony

Tim Hortons – Tim Hortons coffee stores in the US and Canada
This layer shows you where to get a cup of good ol’ Tim Hortons.
Developer: Brad Leege and Mathijs Gajentaan, www.winvolve.com

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

This is a good demo/review of Layar on the iPhone from the USA – notice the Golf USA & Las Vegas Casino’s apps are very highly featured

This video was created by the guys at Insanely Great

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Here’s a new concept in Augmented Reality applications: The Beatles

This Layar application has every key location relating to the Beatles, from the Cavern Club in Liverpool to the Abbey Road Studios in London as well as dozens of other, less well known, points of Interest.

This unique application is your own personal tour guide, the waypoints will take you to the exact location of the landmark. You can read about the point of interest from the additional information we’ve provide in the actions menu. Who needs tour guides?

Oh and one more thing… When you are standing on the world famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing within the description is a link taking you to the Abbey Rd live webcam… see yourself on tv! Sort of

Launch date: Very soon! (we just sent it off for approval)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites