AURA (Advanced User Resource Annotation System): Exploring the Future of Holiday Shopping
Something new from the MSR (Microsoft Research) Community Technologies Group. AURA's motto is "Annotate the Planet."
Each December, millions of consumers worldwide face the challenge of wading through a dizzying array of options and alternatives in an attempt to find the perfect holiday gift for that special someone.
For some, that challenge can be a cause for consternation. Too many choices, too little time, not enough information—all combine to produce a feeling of helplessness, a loss of control, a vague but palpable apprehension.
Sound familiar? AURA is here to help.
AURA, the Advanced User Resource Annotation system, is a research prototype from the Community Technologies Group within Microsoft Research Redmond. The technology, recently made available for download on Windows Mobile Devices, enables users to add and access comments about physical objects via personal mobile devices and Web services.
The system is designed for items with a unique identifier attached to them. Books, DVDs, CDs, software, food products, and many other objects for sale these days have a bar code and, therefore, are candidates for user annotation and consultation. Once AURA-type annotation becomes commonplace, the physical objects we encounter will each have a back story available for reference.
A mobile client is available for devices running Pocket PC 2003 or Windows Mobile Smartphones (2003 or greater) and Windows Pocket PC (5.0 or greater).
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