Each weekend, Mashable handpicks a few startups we think are building interesting, unique or niche products.
This weekend, we’ve highlighted three startups that have developed digital tools for real-world activities.
Tagwhat helps uncover fun facts about places using augmented reality, Paintapic turns digital photos into physical art projects and TripLingo is a pocket language guide for world travel.
[h=2]Tagwhat[/h]
Quick Pitch:Tagwhat aims to put a virtual layer of stories on the physical world.
Genius Idea: Augmented reality meets storytelling.
Mashable’s Take: Using Tagwhat, stories — text, videos, photos and audio — pop up on their physical locations. So you might, for instance, learn that a movie was filmed in the cafe that you’re sitting in. You can also browse virtually and see a map of where that story is located. When you see something you like, you can send a virtual postcard to friends and family.
Unlike Broadcastr, a startup that uses a similar concept to pin audioclips to location, the stories aren’t crowdsourced. Rather, they’re placed by the team and contributed by brands like the Associated Press and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Theoretically, this should weed out the junk. But it also means that if you don’t live in one of the handful of cites that Tagwhat covers, there might not be any stories where you live for a long time. And if you do, they’re still few and far between.
[h=2]2. Paintapic[/h]
Quick Pitch:For $40, Paintapick will take your digital photo and create a paint-by-number kit that includes paint, brushes and canvas.
Genius Idea: Personalizing a classic art project.
Mashable’s Take: Paintapick is a clever idea that appeals to art enthusiast and stumped gift givers alike.
[h=2]3. TripLingo[/h]
Quick Pitch:TripLingo builds language learning apps specifically for travelers (read: crash courses).
Genius Idea: Vacation-style, fun language learning tool.
Mashable’s Take:TripLingo asks you to personalize a phrase list, and by practicing with the resulting flashcards earn badges. A “slang slider” gives both casual and formal versions of each phrase. Standard dictionary and situational phrasebooks (i.e. taxi, grocery store, restaurant) are also included.
You won’t come out of the experience fluent, but as far as a phrase book goes, it’s a fun digital companion.
Unless you’re interested in the free pirate or remedial editions, the iPhone apps cost $2.99.
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.
More About: art, bizspark, language, Paintapic, spark-of-genius, Startup Weekend Roundup, Tagwhat, TripLingo
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