Let me say just one thing: LEGO is perhaps one of the most interesting toy concepts ever created, and the main reason for it is that it actually stimulates your imagination. Of course, the LEGO bricks can be used for building the items showcased on the packages, but they can also represent the foundations for creating all sorts of original and innovative stuff. In fact, I'm pretty sure that there are a lot of mechanical engineers and aircraft designers out there who played with LEGOs while being young and then wound-up building rockets and vehicles.

Now, leaving these considerations aside, let's talk about the new “Digital Box” from German company metaio. This device, which will be tested in the forthcoming period in select toy stores across the world, will allow users to actually view the end-result of the assembly process in three dimensions, before purchasing a certain kit. And if it proves to be popular, every LEGO store out there might get one of these things.

The system works in a fairly simple manner and helps in better promoting LEGO's products. So, all one has to do in order to use the “Digital Box” is simply place the specific LEGO set he/she has chosen in front of its camera. At that point, the screen will activate and, beside the actual box, the future customers will also be able to watch a 3D animation of the product inside the box superimposed on the box itself. Of course, you can see the photo of the finished, assembled set on its case, but that's not exactly like seeing it move in 3D, is it now?

While still in its infancy, the technology, called “augmented reality” is, without a doubt, one of the most promising marketing-oriented solutions for the future, and has loads of applications in other areas as well. I mean, wouldn't you love to see how a certain item of clothing will look on you without actually going into the store and trying it on?

 
We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .