# Beam-Shooting Apps AppTag Laser Blaster Turns Smartphones into Toy Guns By Senduran Bhakthakumaran | Published 2012-03-04 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apptag-laser-blaster References: [uncrate](http://uncrate.com/stuff/apptag-laser-blaster/) & [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jonatherton/apptag-laser-blaster?ref=category) The AppTag Laser Blaster turns the average smartphone into a laser-shooting device. The app ensures a healthy round of [laser tag](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laserabc-laser-show-projector) is equipped and ready to go regardless of time or location. That's right, these miniature guns simulate the famous childhood game, and can be enjoyed with friends complete with gun reloads and score records. Jon Atherton took on this project in Brisbane, Australia for users with smartphones or those that carry an [iPod Touch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ppsspp-ios). The piece to purchase is the [hand-held toy gun](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abxylute-m4-snapon) in which one's slim device can be slid into place to start powering the game. The devices communicate through sound, so there's no need to be connected to any WiFi or Bluetooth waves while playing. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Smartphone Gaming:** Develop new laser tag inspired smartphone games and apps. - **Toy Integration:** Integrate other toys with mobile tech for new play experiences. - **Sound Communication:** Innovate other mobile-enabled devices with sound communication capabilities. ### Where This Applies - **Mobile Gaming:** Develop more interactive mobile games that encourage face-to-face interactions with friends. - **Toy Manufacturing:** Create and offer more toys that can be integrated with mobile devices to enhance play experience. - **Mobile Device Communication:** Explore new applications of sound communication technology for mobile-enabled devices in various industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Multi-Position Smartphone Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/telegun-smartphone-controller.md) - [Smart Target Launcher Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caldwell-clays-app.md) - [Color-Blasting AR Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/can-you-beat-the-box.md) - [Street Fighter-Style AR Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jadu.md) - [Alien-Hunting AR Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taito.md) - [4-in-1 Gel Blasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unlocx-gel-blaster.md) - [Lego-Centric Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brick-my-world.md) - [Augmented Reality Entertainment Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xreal-beam-pro.md) - [Lighthearted Mobile Shooter Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-big-robots.md)