iBugs AR (iExplore Bugs)
© 2017 Carlton Books Limited
One of the most impressive examples of non-fiction Augmented Reality (AR) combinations we've seen (as of February 2018) this app/book combination contains 11 large bugs: Hercules Beetle, Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly, Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, Little Barrier Island Giant Weta, Japanese Giant Hornet, Giant Malaysian Shield Mantid, Driver Ant, Lord Howe Stick Insect, Goliath Bird-Eating Spider, Emperor Scorpion and Amazonian Giant Centipede. Each bug is presented on the page of a picture book along with facts about diet, size, habitat and location. The accompanying app, which can be download at no cost, is large (450 MB). Once it's downloaded and installed, you can start your camera and open the book to an insect that you want to learn about. The bug pops out and flies around. You can use the controls in the app to control the motion of the bug, or expand their scale, for a much closer look. The BRDA jurors were impressed by the amount of detail in the bugs (you can see the individual hairs on the spider). Jurors couldn't figure out how to make the "dual user mode" work, however. Winner of the 2018 BolognaRagazzi Digital Award, for Augmented Reality.
$11, iPad, iPhone
Teaches: sience, bugs, insects, AR
CTR Rating: 96%