New Generation Of Google Glassware Unveiled By CFC Media Lab And Mind Pirate

^[1]Wearable technology promises to be the next big thing, but where are all the apps? The Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab ^[2] (CFC Media Lab) and wearable technology company, Mind Pirate ^[3], today announced five innovative, diverse, genre-defining apps that are available now for download ^[4] onto Google Glass and other mobile devices. The apps, which range from immersive gameplay controlled by the nod of a head to real time video and photo effects, were the result of the recently concluded four-month long wearable accelerator created by the CFC Media Lab and Mind Pirate.

The ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab ^[5] is an extension of CFC’s digital entertainment accelerator, ideaBOOST ^[6], and provided companies with the budget, mentorship, and tools designed to help bring their ”smart-glass” ideas to life, including early access to Mind Pirate’s wearable technology platform, Callisto.

Callisto is the first and only platform that gives developers the tools to easily build engaging experiences that are optimized across a variety of wearable devices. Callisto leverages the Cloud in novel ways to deliver secure content, programmable micro-engagements, and more. The resulting apps are designed to take full advantage of the unique capabilities of next-generation mobile wearable devices, such as Google Glass and other Smart Glasses and Smart Watches. Select third party developers will continue to have access to Callisto and the program will be made publically available later this year.

Apps created in the ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab include:  

• A to B, Normative ^[7]: A to B is glassware that allows you to record routes during any activity, from running to skateboarding. You are then able to race against these recorded routes to challenge yourself.

• Little Bandits ^[8], Little Guy Games ^[8]: Don a cowboy hat and duel your friends in this adorable turn-based game of sharpshooting – and sharp thinking. Little Bandits is a turn-based duelling game for two players. Each player chooses two moves per turn, and then watches the duel play out. Will you aim, shoot, or try to dodge? Pick your moves and out-maneuver your opponent!

• SHARD, CFC Media Lab ^[9]: Let SHARD on Google Glass reveal a whole new world to you. SHARD applies live filters to the world around you, changing the video feed you see with real time effects YOU control. Switch between J.J. Abrams-inspired lens flares to kaleidoscopic imagery. Move around, play with the effects, capture your creation in a SHARD photo saved on your timeline, and share your masterpiece with others. SHARD — play with the world you capture.

• State of Syn: Singularity, Smokebomb Entertainment ^[10]: State of Syn: Singularity is an adrenaline pumping hybrid story/action-puzzle game that propels the user into the heart of the action as a powerful hacker fighting to save the lives of an elite team of covert freedom fighters. This unique experience is made possible by combining video playback, cinematic sound design, direct to user messaging delivered by the story’s lead character and head-gesture game control to trigger in-game events, story reveals and real-time action-strategy gaming.

“Normative, Little Guy Games, Smokebomb Entertainment, and our very own CFC Media Lab have taken fitness, entertainment, and photo experiences for Google Glass to a whole new level, adding sophisticated design, rich media dimensions, and immersive gameplay to the experience rarely seen in current Glassware,” said Ana Serrano, Chief Digital Officer, Canadian Film Center. “Bringing entertainment and technology together in thoughtful, meaningful, and playful ways is what CFC is renowned for and this batch of wearable products demonstrates our commitment in accelerating next generation talent and start ups in the digital entertainment space.”

“For the past 15 months, our team at Mind Pirate has been hard at work creating a dynamic yet accessible platform that will help developers easily create engaging apps to fuel the wearable technology movement. That platform is Callisto, the first and only wearable technology platform on the market,” said Shawn Hardin, CEO, Mind Pirate. “We couldn’t be more excited to see the first group of developers create such amazing experiences. It’s a testament to Mind Pirate’s commitment to seeding the fast-growing ecosystem for wearable devices, one amazing experience at a time.”