News: Amazon's New Augmented Reality App Highlights Dog Reality Stars from Prime Video Series 'The Pack'

Amazon's New Augmented Reality App Highlights Dog Reality Stars from Prime Video Series 'The Pack'

Amazon has joined the ranks of film and TV studios using the power of augmented reality to engage fans looking to go behind passive screen viewing.

To that end, Amazon has quietly launched the Amazon AR Player app.

The free app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, allows users to experience a personal introduction to the furry cast of Amazon's new streaming TV series The Pack.

Hosted by Olympic gold medalist and multiple World Cup champion ski racer Lindsey Vonn, The Pack follows a group of colorful dog owners from around the world as they compete, alongside their pooches, in a number of physical challenges. At stake is a $500,000 grand prize as well as $250,00 to the animal charity of their choice.

Most of Amazon's original programming has focused on scripted content, so the introduction of reality TV to the company's streaming mix was the perfect opportunity to try something new in the way of building awareness — dogmented reality (Amazon's pun, not ours).

Image via Amazon

When you open the app, you're presented with the option to scan a QR code which allows you to view and interact with AR versions of the 13 dogs featured in the series, including Vonn's own pooch, Lucy.

The life-sized dogs not only bark and follow your gaze, but you can even virtually pet them by tapping the screen. There's also an option that lets you take a photo of a friend posing next to one of the four-legged reality stars.

Doggo reality star Chance from 'The Pack'. Images via Amazon, Adario Strange/Next Reality

Of course, as with all things Amazon, there's a shopping tie-in. On select boxes that Amazon customers receive for normal purchases, there's a special QR code that you can scan using the Amazon AR Player app to bring the dogs into your home.

But if you don't have access to the real box, no worries, you can scan the graphic below to get the same result.

Image via Amazon

Amazon first tested this dynamic out back in October for Halloween when it introduced special boxes with QR codes that allowed users to bring specially decorated AR pumpkins into their homes. That experience was produced in conjunction with Austin-based immersive innovation studio Subvrsive.

Aside from promoting Amazon Prime Video, this latest AR treat from the company is also a quick and easy way for anyone to get a little virtual doggo love if they're not lucky enough to have their own pet. The Pack is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 20.

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new emoji, enhanced security, podcast transcripts, Apple Cash virtual numbers, and other useful features. There are even new additions hidden within Safari. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.4 update.

Cover image via Amazon

Be the First to Comment

Share Your Thoughts

  • Hot
  • Latest