Augmented Reality
We published our first augmented reality piece on Tuesday, but there are a few obstacles to getting the full affect and that is where I think we may lose many of you.
First, to have the athletes appear as holograms in your living room, or next to your desk at work, or for me, in the hall of the media center (pictures at left), you will need to have an iPhone 6s or newer. I’ve probably lost a portion of you already. (Android phones do not have the capability for these yet, but that is coming soon to an android phone near you.)
The second criteria is that you have to have the latest version of the NYT app.
But if those requirements haven’t eliminated you, check it out. They will be life size in your space. You can walk around them to see them from every angle. The link is here.
All is not lost if you don’t have the right phone or don’t have the NYT app. You can still go to that link and see a slightly more traditional version of them. It just won’t be appearing in your space and you can’t walk around it. So we do that for you with a little bit of graphic info thrown in for good measure.
It is quite a long process that begins with getting a 3D scan of the athlete. The scans are pretty easy. We just hook up a special contraption to an iPad and walk around them, scanning them from head to toe. It makes a realistic 3D model of them. Part of the problem is that the athlete has to remain completely still for several minutes. That was going to be a problem for the leaning pose for J.R. Celski, the short-track speedskater. So we had him do that pose standing up and then we leaned the model over.
I have attached a picture of me doing the 3D scan of Mikaela Shiffrin when we spent time with her at Mammoth Mountain in May.
Eat at Joe’s 
I haven’t even tried it yet, but it’s alreafy amazing!! Things have come a long way since your first games in Torino. (I’ll assume your indoor plumbing has come a long way too; hopefully you have a shower!) Does this mean I can have a hologram of George Clooney in my house if I want to??
What you’re saying is i have to go out and buy a new phone. That aside, this is a very cool and ground-breaking feature. Now, if you would augment reality yourself, I could pretend you aren’t going to be away for a month.
That would be “already” amazing. (Typing with one wing!) 🙄
You always think you have it pretty good until you realize there’s someone out there getting paid to “scan” hot women in skin tight outfits.
@#2sister: It is possible to have a George Clooney hologram in your house. I would send you to do the body scan, but you are currently operating with only one arm, so we will have to look elsewhere for volunteers.
In related news, @Vyseguy, just know that this is all done in the name of journalism. Some of us have to sacrifice for the good of the craft.
@annie, see if you can get a 2 for 1 deal on a new phone. But i am afraid there will be no George Clooney holograms for you!
Thanks to all who are playing along!
I think I can manage with one arm! (Although I did fall out of the recliner in the middle of the night, so maybe we want to wait till all my limbs are operational.)
I’ll volunteer to scan Clooney!! All in the name of journalism of course.
Patricia! You don’t need George – you have Craig! 😊
Happy Birthday Joe!
Happy Birthday to our fearless blogger!!!
I wonder how my wife Connie would like a hologram of me floating around the house? …actually, I think I know the answer to that!