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New Skylight App Sheds Light on Room Renovations

03/01/2011

A new app might make homeowners more apt to include skylights in their home renovation projects. Using augmented reality, the VELUX Skylight Planner mobile application for iPhone and iPod Touch shows how skylights can bring natural light from above into a homeowner's actual room's décor by allowing the user to select different skylight styles and sizes and integrate them into a live shot of a room in their home.

With the iPhone or iPod Touch camera poised to take a picture of the homeowner's skylight-destined room, the app positions the skylight image on the screen wherever the user desires. When the picture is taken, it creates a photo of the room with skylights in it. Because it does not feature a camera, the iPad app allows users to position the skylight image in photos downloaded onto the device.

The e-home renovation images can be shared by e-mail, on Facebook or on Evernote.

"It can be difficult to visualize how a skylight can change a room, and we wanted to give homeowners a tool that was both easy and convenient,” said Bill Baker, director of digital services at Wray Ward, VELUX America's marketing firm which designed the app. "The VELUX Skylight Planner lets you walk into a room in your own home, apply how a skylight will look in that room, and quickly share it with family and friends — all with just one mobile device.”  

The app extends beyond the role of design assistant. Using GPS, homeowners can locate nearby installers who have been trained and certified in the VELUX Skylight Specialist program. They can also view a skylight photo gallery for additional inspiration.

The VELUX Skylight Planner is available now in the Apple iTunes App Store www.bit.ly/velux-skylight-planner, and an Android version will be available in Android Market later this month. View the VELUX Skylight Planner in action on www.youtube.com/VELUXUSA.

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