VizWorld.com

USA Today and Universal Studios Orlando have partnered up to turn a page from next week’s USA Today (January 28th) into an Augmented Reality marker, allowing you to use it to explore the upcoming ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ theme part interactively.

By rotating the map, you can take a closer look at this 20-acre magnificently themed environment from all sides and angles. Hogwarts castle will appear before your eyes. Hold the map closer to your webcam and explore Hogsmeade and see the Hogwarts Express. Blow on your computer’s microphone and the banners on the map will wave.

No details or screenshots yet.

via MuggleNet | The World’s #1 Harry Potter Site – Deathly Hallows, Half-Blood Prince, JK Rowling, and much more.

Science augmented reality, harry potter, usatoday

USA Today has built an interactive tool compiling presidential approval ratings for the last12 presidents, so that you can compare and contrast their various ratings.

There are two views. The first (above) is ratings in chronological order. Each color represents a different president and a timeline towards the bottom highlights significant events during the presidency. One thing you’ll probably notice right off the bat are the giant spikes in approval ratings during war and invasions. Yikes.

via Track Presidential Approval Ratings and Compare to Past | FlowingData.

Science interactive, president, usatoday

Thanks to ChartPorn for pointing this one out, but USA Today has an nice interactive infographic showing the “Leading Indicators” you always hear about in the financial news back to 2000.

This interactive graphic charts the forecast values for real GDP growth. For historical context, we’ve included actual values back to 2000.

Values for each of the 11 leading indicators are also charted. Most of the values reflect two- or three-month moving averages to smooth monthly volatility. All values are actual (that is, not forecasts) except for the most recent figures for light vehicle sales and the corporate bond spread. For these specific indicators, IHS Global Insight relies on its in-house expertise to forecast the latest month of data needed for its model.

via Nation’s GDP expected to grow in Q4, economic index predicts – USATODAY.com, via ChartPorn

Science economic, financial, infographic, usatoday