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Mobile technology turns magazine into music mixer

Press release issued: 16 May 2013

The boundaries of traditional print media are being pushed thanks to an interactive magazine which allows readers to mix their own music. Paper meets high-tech mobile technology in the latest issue of Discover More, the University of Bristol magazine for sixth form pupils. The latest issue is being distributed from today [16 May].

Paper meets high-tech mobile technology in the latest issue of Discover More, the University of Bristol magazine for sixth form pupils.  The latest issue is being distributed from today [16 May].

Through a specially-designed app, readers will be able to collect sounds and beats from various articles within the magazine, which they can then mix by holding their smart phone over the mixing desk on the front cover of the magazine.

Discover More was one of the first publications in the UK to embrace augmented reality (AR) when it was launched last summer, combining the sensory experience of the real-world with computer-generated visuals and audio to produce something that 'augments' reality.

It’s distributed to sixth forms across the country, with an informative mix of news articles and features to give A-Level students an interesting read around their subjects and an insight into ground-breaking research.

David Alder, Director of Marketing and Communications at Bristol University, said: “Reading a compelling magazine is great - being able to make music with it takes things to a new level. We’re not aware of any other magazine which you can make music with. We were one of the first magazines to use AR and we want to keep pushing the boundaries of this amazing technology in the future, while engaging young people with the incredible research taking place here at Bristol.”

The University developed the original Discover More concept alongside a focus group of sixth form pupils.

The magazine is also available as a downloadable app, and there is a Facebook page to further engage with readers.

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