Just weeks after launching Layar, an app that brings the printed page to life, the Langley Advance has forever changed the way people read their newspaper.

It's easy to try. All it takes is Layar, a free app that has combined print and digital media through the use of augmented reality.

What does it do? Let's say you are reading a story in the Advance about a local rock band, and you see the Layar logo in the story or added to a photo. Layar lets you not only read about the band, you can hear it and watch it perform. Layar can give directions to the next gig, and help buy tickets.

The technology has significantly changed the Advance and its Lower Mainland sister papers - the first newspaper group in the world to adopt the game-changing technology. Layar is the future, right now. After only a few weeks of having Layar available, a newspaper that doesn't use it already seems out of date and out of touch with today's tech-savvy readers.

Layar uses your iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone or tablet to recognize images in the Advance that have been enabled for augmented reality. It translates the images into interactive calls-to-action and notifications on your device's screen, allowing you to instantly view related videos, share articles on social networks, click on websites mentioned in stories, and much more.

All you have to do is start the app, point your phone's camera at the page, tap the "scan" button, and Layar's interactive buttons will appear on your screen. Tap any of them to be taken to video, image carousels, Facebook pages, Twitter, and more.

Many Advance advertisers are also using Layar to reach out to customers, and improve their businesses' bottom lines.

Layar allows advertisers to entertain and inform readers in a way never done before with the printed page. A Layared advertisement allows readers to share deals via email, Facebook, and Twitter, buy products and services, and book appointments - without even putting down your Advance.

To join the more than 28 million people who have downloaded Layar, visit layar.com or your app store.