Blue Mars+Xbox Kinect on Display at APEC!

We're posting from the Hawaii Convention Center, where we are showing a demo of Blue Mars to thousands of international delegates attending the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) 2011 conference!

We're part of an exhibition presented by SEE-IT, a non-profit organization (founded by our CEO Henk Rogers) whose mission is to showcase and promote innovative technologies developed here in Hawaii, and encourage more science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Hawaii's schools.

In addition to our Blue Mars, Blue Mars Lite and Blue Mars Mobile applications, we're featuring a custom-made interactive display just for APEC, using Xbox Kinect motion sensors and a giant LED screen to enable visitors to interact with our avatars using movement.

We also released a new city in Blue Mars that will let you get a virtual taste of our exhibit, so be sure to check it out!

Transformers Wearable Items on Sale in Blue Mars

Autobots, roll out!  In collaboration with , a virtual goods licensing, marketing and distribution company, we have released wearable head and arm parts of Bumblebee, one of the main characters in the Transformers movie series.

Now your avatar can become "more than meets the eye..."

Meemo, who obtained the rights from toymaker Hasbro to produce and sell virtual goods based on the Transformers movie franchise, has teamed up with Avatar Reality to release wearable body parts of the character Bumblebee. There are 3 parts: Head, Right Arm, and Left Arm, each being sold for 500 BLU.


Here is how you can purchase these items:

•  On Blue Mars Mobile for the iPhone and iPad:
• From the display avatars:
• Click on this avatar Blink for the male version, or this one for the female version.
• When Blue Mars Mobile launches and the Bumblebee avatar shows up, tap on the Item List tab on the right-hand side.
• Tap on any of the 3 Bumblebee parts to check out and purchase.
• From the Search function:
• Tap Search on the bottom menu tray, and tap Search by Item Name.
• In the search window, enter the keyword "bumblebee."

• On Blue Mars Lite for the PC or Mac:
• From the display avatars:
• Click on this avatar Blink for the male version, or this one for the female version.
• When Blue Mars Lite  launches and the Bumblebee avatar shows up, look on the Item List on the right-hand side.
• Double-click on any of the 3 Bumblebee parts to check out and purchase.
• From the Search function:
• Click on the Item Search icon on the top menu bar, or select Window > Item Search.
• When the search window opens, enter "bumblebee" in the Keyword field.