Welcome to the Testing Labs!
One of the most exciting aspects of the Hobart Wireless Waterfront (HWW) project is the opportunity to work with some of Tasmania's most interesting and creative developers. The Hobart waterfront and Salamanca precinct are home to an an amazing variety and mix of fresh, new and original thinkers and firms who are challenging the questions and directions about the digital future and the digital economy. The Testing Labs will allow developers to collaborate with like minded individuals via the wireless network to showcase new and exciting digital applications for people to experience via the wireless network when moving around and through the Hobart waterfront. The project team gratefully acknowledges the support of the Department of Economic Development and the Arts in making this collaboration possible.
Our first developer profile is well known Hobart digital artist, Raef Sawford
Hobart Wireless Waterfront Augmented Reality Project: Expanding the Present
Raef Sawford has been commissioned to develop an innovative piece of Augmented Reality (AR) content for trialling on the network. Raef Sawford's art practice and PhD research primarily deals with the expansion of spatiotemporal perceptions, attempting to review reality beyond both the constraints imposed by the conscious self, and the conditioning imposed by what philosopher Guy Debord described as the society of the spectacle. The recent development of an Augmented Reality (AR) platform designed to apply a virtual layer of information onto our view of reality has great potential particularly in the context of his research. By using the Layar application for iPhone 3GS and other GPS enabled smart phones, vistors will be able to utilise the AR technology and "augment’ their experience of reality by accessing data specific to their location, which is then overlayed onto the image from the phone’s camera. Further information on Raef's project can be found here.
Hobart Wireless Waterfont - iPhone and iPad Applications
Paris Buttfield-Addison and Jon Manning from Secret Lab are the undisputed rockstars of software development in Hobart! Both spend their time overseas developing, educating and generally causing mayhem around software development! Paris and Jon were visited by the Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett during his recent USA technology visit.
Secret Lab are developing iPhone and iPad applications for the Wireless Waterfront project, concentrating on taking advantage of the the high bandwidth wireless footprint around the waterfront. The applications will allow users to explore the waterfront area, view media rich content about the history and activities in the area, taking advantage of videos, audio, podcast, pictures and maps, but providing the vast bulk of the content locally via the wireless link to allow the added value of actually being in the area. It promises to be a great showcase for Tasmanian software development! Further information about Paris and John can be found here.
Hobart Wireless Waterfont - Virtual Video Map
Solid Orange are uber cool! This small dynamic digital video outfit, run by Sandi and Caleb Doherty are savy and Salamanca based! Combining with design outliers Tom Fitzgerald and Dominic Whittle from Floating World, their challenge is to design an intuitive virtual video map showing the hidden wonders of the Hobart waterfront, utilising the free Wi-Fi access across a number of portable hand held devices. Phew!
What were they thinking?!! Let's find out here.
Hobart Wireless Waterfont - Online Interactive Application
Roland Gataric is in the process of developing an online interactive for the Wireless Waterfront project titled "Hunt Around Hobart" which is an adaption of a book by the same name. The book was originally commissioned by the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre as a novel way to introduce kids to the waterfront and keep them entertained by following the stories and illustrations as they walked around the area. The online interactive follows the adventures of Slap Nose the seal as he explores and learns about the Hobart waterfront, meeting some interesting characters along the way. It's full of fun facts, games and animations to amuse the young and the young at heart.
Roland Gataric is a creative designer and developer who is inspired by contemporary life, abstract thought, emerging technology and the visual arts. Over the last ten years he has worked as a freelance designer as well as being a founding member and company director of the award winning graphic design studio Gataric & Freeman Design. As a designer he has worked on many exciting projects for tourism and the arts, local government and industry, small business and individuals. He believes in forward-thinking design solutions that are distinctive and appropriate to each individual. Roland is also a practicing artist through a partnership called 313RGB producing real-time video and motion graphic installations and interactive environments for exhibitions, cultural events and clubs.
Website: rolandgataric.com
