Creating your own feature-rich layers just got a heck of a lot easier.

Today, we are very pleased to announce the launch of our publishing API, Layar Connect. This new tool allows third parties to build an end-to-end, one-stop-shop content management system for layers, enabling those without technical programming skills to launch their very own layers on our platform without writing a single line of code.

We are very excited about the possibilities this brings both to the Layar platform and to the augmented reality field as a whole. Layar Connect allows anyone to build what could become the WordPress or YouTube of augmented reality, helping them create and share content in truly immersive ways.

“We’re focused on the democratization of augmented reality and want to make it easier to create and publish AR content for all,” said Maarten Lens-FitzGerald, Layar co-founder and General Manager. “With Layar Connect, we are the first in the industry to move management and publication of AR content to third parties. This creates opportunities for Layar partners to add increased value to their business; a big step in the professionalization of the AR industry.”

For users, this new tool will allow you to get your very own content ideas realized in augmented reality. Perhaps you want to create your own personal layer with spots and objects of your choosing. Before, if you didn’t have technical expertise, creating and managing your own layer meant jumping between Layar and a third-party system. Now, those systems will be able to handle every aspect of registering and creating layers, making the process painless for you.

For developers, Layar Connect improves on the logistics of creating layers. It is now far easier to create and manage Layar content, and developers can also build their own tools to suit their individual needs as third-party publishers of augmented reality content.

Several third-party tools are already making use of Layar Connect, and have been certified by Layar as high-quality, reliable tools for easily creating Layar content. Only tools which meet these requirements will be named Certified Layar Creation Tools, the first of which include:

• buildAR - buildAR lets you quickly and easily add your own information overlays to create your own augmented reality content on Layar. “Layar Connect lets buildAR make creating layers easy for anyone,” said Rob Manson of buildAR. “You don’t have to be a developer to create augmented experiences - just have a great idea.” Learn more.
  
  



• Poistr - Poistr is a service where anyone can manage data layers in an easy way and without technical skills. Like BuildAR, Poistr is a web-based interface for adding POIs to a map which can then be viewed in augmented reality with Layar. “Layar Connect facilitates the automation for creating and managing layers and POIs, and allows total integration with Layar,” said Poistr’s Ignacio Vilalta. Learn more.
  
  



• Poiz - Poiz is a Layar Creation System (LCS) - an online content management system (CMS) for compiling layers. With Poiz you can easily create a layer with custom form and content, but without high development costs. Technical knowledge of layers is not necessary. “Layar Connect makes Poiz a one-stop shop with full control over layer and content, allowing us to offer Poiz accounts for a lower price,” said Willem Veenstra of Poiz. Learn more.
  
  



• VISAR - VISAR is a content management system and publication platform for Layar and other services. It puts you in full control of your content 24/7 and stores it safely. “With Layar Connect, the entire process is now customer oriented, making it fast and easy to create and maintain great AR experiences,” said VISAR’s Jeroen Meijer. Learn more.
  
  

Head on over to the Layar Tools page for more information about Layar Connect and developer requirements. To apply for an API key, please fill out this form.

Read the official press release here.