Cottage Life unveiling augmented reality in its Spring 2015 issue

Cottage Life magazine is debuting augmented reality in the issue hitting newsstands this week. The publication is using Blippar, an image-recognition and augmented reality app to offer interactive content through pages of the magazine. 

After downloading a free Blippar app onto their smartphone or tablet, a reader can use their device to access "blippable" pages with various kinds of print-plus content. For instance, there is a video by Cottage Life editor Penny Caldwell, explaining the initiative. And downloadable plans for a picnic table. A video of a dramatic rescue. And a preview of the second season of Cottage Life's TV show. 

The magazine is partnering with advertiser KEEN to use the same technology in the issue, only in this case to introduce an new sandal design called UNEEK. 

“We wanted to build an interactive experience for our loyal print audience that would integrate digital technology and enhance the way they interact with that form of media,” said Caldwell [in a release]. “This partnership with Blippar will not only change the way print magazines are consumed, but also change the way advertisers showcase their products. KEEN, our presenting partner, is our first advertiser to activate its print ad with this technology.”

The Blippar technology will also be available to readers in the western Canada edition Cottage Life West.