Rating: In Your Room from CSL Sofas deploys augmented reality online as well
It’s quite clear that retailers are switching to high technology as footfalls on the High Street continue to decline. However, CSL Sofas has really gone to town by launching an augmented reality (AR) for the iPhone app. Not only that but the company is promoting the app as part of a TV commercial campaign as well as online on its web site here. Better still, the company has also turned towards social networking with a Facebook competition for participants to win their dream sofa – worth up to £1,650. Normally, GoMo News would complain that there isn’t an Android version of this AR app but if you can’t afford an iPhone, then you probably can’t afford a CSL sofa.
The fee app was created for CSL by Liverpool based Apposing is designed to let the users see how furniture would look in their own home.
Users can browse through 12,000 items from the CSL catalogue and save, print and share ones they like the look of.
This app is available from the iTunes App Store here but seems to have attracted some negative comments.
One reviewer says, “Not sure how it’s getting all these 5 star reviews when it just doesn’t work. Must be CSL staff promoting the app.”
By contrast, Jason Tyldesly, CSL Sofas’ md, says, “Apposing worked a true miracle on the CSL Sofas augmented reality iPhone app.
They have delivered everything from proof of concept to a fantastic finished product with the minum of fuss in around five weeks.
We have now got a list of exciting new project to work on together as a result.”
Apposing is promising to add new features to the iPhone app. Users will be able to access their ‘My Account’ area where they can complete checkout, pay off a balance, track their orders, book and rebook a delivery.
There will also be a ‘Recommend a Friend’ facility which is CSL’s loyalty scheme that allows customers to earn discount for each order their friend(s) completes with CSL.
The app already utilises GPS to locate the nearest CSL Sofas store and then get contact details and directions.
If you don’t have an iPhone you can actually try out the AR features of the In Your Room app by uploading a photo from within a web browser.
GoMo News can see other retailers following suit with their own AR enhanced apps.
What a pity to hear that Googles FUD has so effectively killed common sense!
Our lovely client http://www.furniturevillage.co.uk would be very happy to receive 13 links from you. I’d even go to 14 if you offered nicely
For the mobile site we worked with welovemobile and opted to deliver a good mobile compatible site which customers would use, rather than an app for apps sake. Its been very successful with a huge amount of usage, especially at weekends when our customers go instore and then come back online to bookmark and purchase. We’d love you to review the site – with or without links!
Okay, Denise. Here’s another one. http://www.furniturevillage.co.uk