iExplore — Bugs
By Emily Hill
Nothing grabs your attention like a large bug.
Especially when it’s crawling right out of a printed page. That’s right … a big, scary, awesome, realistic insect that is moving, right in front of your eyes. It’s all possible by this seamless marriage of a low tech printed book with some augmented reality tools running on your iOS app.
The printed 32 page book (iExplore Bugs, 2017 from Carton Publishing) works well on its own, with quality color illustrations and plenty of facts to feed your curiosity.
The “magic” happens after you download the free iBugs AR app. This turns your iPhone or iPad into a bug viewer. Although the app is sometimes slow to respond to the book indicators, once it registers the effect is startling.
Don’t miss the ability to interact with the bugs. You can change the scale, and (if they fly) make them fly around the room with drone-like controls.
Don’t miss the ability to interact with the bugs. You can change the scale, and (if they fly) make them fly around the room with drone-like controls.
The app contains additional bug facts. You can move loser to see the hair on the bug’s leg. You can also view the way the bug moves, and hear the different sounds the bug makes as it moves.
This type of experience works with all ages, although an older child or adult should probably operate the app and move the book pages. The app looks especially good on a big screen, sent via airplay, for example.
The biggest problem? We encountered some technical glitches when trying to pair the app with the book. This could be stressful for some younger children. When the app begins working (and you get all the “bugs” out — pun fully intended) you’ll find this book/app combination something you’ll come back to.
Nuts and Bolts
Product Reviewed: iExplore-Bugs Book By: Hannah Wilson & iBugs AR Application
Publisher: Carlton Kids, April 2017
Price: $11.88 on Amazon.com. The app is free.
About the Author
Emily Hill is a marketing student at The College of New Jersey who grew up in Southlake, Texas. She is new to the video game world and plays/rates them as a hobby. Her dream is to go into supply chain management after graduation.
