Ireland Launches World's First Augmented Reality Newspaper

Who says print is dead? Apparently, it's alive and well ... as long as publishers can throw in a little tech to attract readers.

Take for instance Dublin’s Metro Herald newspaper, which will now feature "smart editions" -- versions of the newspaper that use augmented reality software to give readers an entirely new experience.

Using their smart phones or tablets, users will be able to engage with their newspapers like never before to view unique graphics, watch additional video content, email the editors, take daily polls and even getting answers to the daily crossword.

The software, called Blippar, uses a smartphone or tablet’s built-in camera to recognize objects in the real world and provide users with digital connections, information and interactive entertainment on their device’s screen.

With many newspapers in the final throes of a long death, maybe the Metro Herald is on to something. Either way, as a former journalism student, I'm sold!