The Apple Event was held on 12 Sept 2017. The introduction of the new operating system, iOS 11, was made and it will be running the new iPhones and iPads. Among the many new features, one that has caught my attention was the augmented reality (AR) platform that Apple has showed off during the event.
Even before the introduction, IKEA is already developing an app that will be utilising Apple’s AR platform.
The app will allow customers to see and position furnitures in different areas of homes, offices, or restaurants and to see if it fits well realistically.
The app can also virtually replace existing furniture in houses with products from IKEA’s catalogue. Then, proceed to the online shopping site if customers want it.
Source: CNBC
Michael Valdsgaard, IKEA’s digital transformation manager, said that it was going all-in on technology.
This will be the first augmented reality app that allows you to make reliable buying decision. When we launch new products, they will come first in the AR app.
This could be a whole new level of digital marketing as customers now do not just view items online, but could picture it virtually as well. As showrooms in IKEA stores are still not scaled to actual homes, customers do not have to worry on wrong purchases of furnitures again.
If you would like to have an idea on how this AR platform works, update your Snapchat to the latest version and have a look at the new feature, where your Bitmoji could dance around just in front of you!
How do you think this would change the future of digital advertising? What other industries could utilise the AR platform besides furnitures?
Let me know your thoughts!
Marketing in this Digital World 
Great read! Wow, I might really need this app since I’m moving and was thinking about buying a few things myself for the house. Funny how such high-tech things can be used to make day-to-day activities much easier. I think this form of virtual visualisation software is used by Sephora as well. They allow the users to virtually try out lipstick/lip-gloss shades without even going to the store. This definitely increases the pace of buyer decisions and enhances their buying experience which will result in a stronger customer relationship. And by integrating apps, it showcases customers that the brand is innovative and is always evolving in someway. I truly believe that the cosmetic industry will be heavily invested in this software in the near future. Don’t you think so ?
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Absolutely agree with you! I did read about the one from Sephora and I was amazed! It is so useful and effective in many ways. They could now reduce cost for having samples, customers do not have to share samples as well due to hygienic reasons. Hopefully we could see more industries using this AR features soon.
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Hey! Another great post from you!
This app is really cool! AR could help consumers better experience about the products. I think consumers who are looking for furniture in Ikea are able to have a better feel for the products, this is a smart way to advertise their products!
And I had a post on my blog which mentioned a bank in Hong Kong combining VR into their mortgage app! Home buyers could look for their future home on their mobile devices! It’s great to see how these companies are starting to engage with their consumers through technology. What do u think if Ikea collaborates with the bank VR technology app? I think It would be a great success in the near future! It is beneficial to both parties!
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Great idea! That collaboration could definitely give Ikea lots of benefits. As people are looking for new properties, there must be the need of furnitures and then there is when Ikea could advertise their products. Hopefully this would happen one day!
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Interesting post! I think that IKEA is being very innovative and that the AR app will be useful to many people thinking about purchasing IKEA furniture. IKEA is proving to be a market leader by investing in such technologies, which will definitely benefit their brand. The future of digital advertising could use AR in various ways, other industries could include real estate or even Airbnb where people can have virtual tours. Other industries I can think of might be a virtual shopping mall or supermarket.
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Good idea! Based on the comments above, we could see the cosmetic and mortgage industries did use the AR technology as well. Maybe it could come in handy when we are lost in the malls or searching for some items in the supermarket.
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Great post! That’s sounds really cool. IKEA is definitely ahead of its competitors by adopting such technologies. It will definitely help out a lot of customers when purchasing furniture in the future. This is because customers no longer have to measure their floor plan before heading out. They can check whether do the furniture match with the design of the room before purchasing so they won’t regret after purchasing it. Another industry that could utilise VR is food industry. For example, companies could utilise this to give customers in-depth personal experience of how to cook certain foods without completing messing up their kitchen in real life. This allows companies to engage and interact with their customers. Other than that, as said from the comment above, real estate industry could utilise VR to showcase their houses during development so that customers could visualise how their house would like when completed.
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Great idea! Maybe customers could have virtual experience on how does it look like if a kitchen gets burned down! Seems like there are indeed many industries that can utilise this technology with full advantage.
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Great post! I will be moving houses at the end of the year and it’s good to know that IKEA provides this type of app service. I know that I am picky with the furniture we get and to see whether it will fit in with the aesthetics of the house can be a problem, especially when furniture delivery and returns can be a hassle. This app will definitely enhance customers journey in making a final purchase. IKEA has done some memorable advertising in the past, their sleepover campaign was also popular, this shows that they are market leaders in this industry. You can check out the campaign here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMJD53fxihU).
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Agree with you! I’ve seen many ads from IKEA that were very creative and has definitely caught my attention. I guess it’s necessary for not just IKEA, but other firms and industries to follow up with the advance of technology to give their best shots to customers.
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