If you read Matthew's previous post describing our technology in the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, you're well aware of what's going on. Digimarc Discover was used to essentially bring the models to life. Readers can get videos of each of the models' shoots delivered right to their smartphone device.

Our local KOIN 6 news also caught on and did a great piece on the technology and how it wass used. View the clip below to get a good overview of what we are doing with digital watermarks:

You read me right. The digital watermarking action starts with the cover, and continues via 18 more photos inside (all watermarked via our Online Services Portal). The Swimsuit Issue is one of the most popular magazines in the world, and Sports Illustrated recognized the advantages of Digimarc Discover digital watermarking over competing technologies. The supermodels spring to life, showing a short video of the same model posing in the same environment. Our friends over at Nellymoser built the app, and did a great job hosting the video. Sports Illustrated and app sponsor DirecTV excelled at educating their readers and indicating enhanced content throughout the issue, creating their own Mobile Response Code (also digitally watermarked)... could you imagine Kate Upton sharing her beach towel with a 2D barcode? Ha! I chuckle at the silly thought.

Yes, I made the effort to "tastefully" crop the cover and screenshots. However, you can get yourself a copy and download the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Viewer app to see the big picture.

Obviously, everyone here at the Digimarc ranch is very excited by this high-profile use of our technology; just the beginning of even more great things to come.

The following is a guest post from Justin Herbert, an education professional. As such he is interested in how technology is affecting education. His post discusses using "Mobile Response Codes," a term we've begun using internally to group the rapidly expanding print to web options; QRcodes, Microsoft Tags and [most importantly] digital watermarks to name just a few.

Technological advances in cellular capabilities, web applications, and interactive content storage have led to the creation of digital watermarks and quick response (QR) codes. QR codes are two-dimensional bar codes that users can scan with a webcam or smartphone app, such as QR Droid or Red Laser, that lead directly to interactive content. Digital watermarks work in a similar fashion, but offer a more aesthetically pleasing layout. Invisible to the naked eye, but perceptible by your smart phone, digital watermarks provide a sleeker, visually pleasing look and can be used by simply pointing your smart phone at the watermarked content of interest and using the associated app.