Epic Games, Google, and fair competition in the future

Let’s talk about how Google contemplated buying Epic Games. We’ll touch on how this related to immersive soon, but I’ve been following this story closely for some time. Epic Games is challenging both Apple and Google for the same reason: repressing competition ... more - virtualperceptions

Carole Baskin on protecting wild cats with VR and AR

At times, I have to remind myself that technology needs to serve a purpose. After wandering through the weeds of VR/AR innovation for several years, diving into the deep details of the tech, I have to remember that there is no point to its existence ... more - virtualperceptions

Separating sense from nonsense regarding metaverse discussions

Let’s talk about the onslaught of metaverse hot takes from this week. As soon as Mark Zuckerberg’s statement left his lips, the internet reeled under the weight of half-knowledgable pundits that spewed views on its future. Every immersive term and phrase ... more - virtualperceptions

Zuckerberg’s views on the metaverse and interoperability

Let’s talk about Mark Zuckerberg and the metaverse, including interoperability. In a recent declaration, Mr Zuckerberg laid out his five-year plan to make Facebook known as a ‘metaverse company,’ rather than a mobile internet company. We’ve known about ... more - virtualperceptions

3D print AR prescription lenses with Luxexcel’s new platform

Exclusive : Luxexcel launched a new manufacturing platform called Luxexcel VisionPlatform 7, and it makes it possible for companies to bring prescription lenses into the creation of smartglasses, by letting them 3D print the lenses. If it works as advertised, ... more - virtualperceptions

Why headset manufacturers should reconsider referral systems

Let’s talk about hardware referrals. I’ve been thinking about how VR can spread a little further, and other marketing initiatives that can be used to penetrate new markets. The question was prompted by an insightful poll from Emerging Tech Brew, where ... more - virtualperceptions

Why VR/AR companies have seen a surge in investment

Let’s talk about the flow of VC money and acquisitions. Many immersive companies are suddenly getting a lot of money to finance their growth, with a renewed interest in expanding their operations or speeding up their growth. Just a few examples: JigSpace ... more - virtualperceptions

Alice in Wonderland (and VR)

I visited London’s Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum to see Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser , an exhibition on the works and impact of the titular book. Visitors tumble through the rabbit hole of Lewis Carrol’s works, from the petite drawings of a ... more - virtualperceptions

Why I supported the WebXR Developer Summit

The WebXR Developer Summit ran in May 2021, with some great contextual insights: Exporting WebXR from Unity is viable, but build sizes and download times are major downsides; WebXR needs to reach the Candidate Recommendation stage for a chance to become ... more - virtualperceptions

The current situation with hybrid events

Let’s talk about the weird middle-place we are in with hybrid events. As the world opens up again, a lot of people – and particularly younger workers – want to head back to the office and speak face-to-face again. And who can blame them? The decaying ... more - virtualperceptions

Exploring the components behind flagship AR glasses

Let’s talk about Snap’s Spectacles (but more on the component side). By the time you read this, I don’t need to tell you that Snap unveiled their new AR specs, as the first of several technology companies rolling out their new hardware. Or, if I am, ... more - virtualperceptions

Exploring London’s classic art pieces in AR

The Augmented Gallery, a new interactive art trail in London’s West End, was unveiled today. This project uses the power of augmented reality (AR) to bring masterpieces out of buildings and onto the streets, accompanied with commentary by curators, educators ... more - virtualperceptions

The dangers of clickbait articles that explore VR

Let’s talk about the misleading PC Gamer article. Recently the publication released a piece titled ‘Oculus will sell you a Quest 2 headset that doesn’t need Facebook for an extra $500.’ According to the piece, the more expensive headset – referring to ... more - virtualperceptions

How many remote workers will use VR headsets?

Let’s talk about Facebook’s vision for the future. And before I take another step, I must give props to Ian Hamilton who recorded the discussion (as Twitter Spaces doesn’t archive sessions), transcribed it, and scraped the details for UploadVR’s audience. ... more - virtualperceptions

Why exercise VR games are a great fit for Oculus and their subscription model

Let’s talk about Oculus adding subscription billing for VR content. Following the heels of Viveport, Facebook’s company added the capabilities last Thursday. Adding the capabilities makes sense; if done correctly, subscription-based services are incredibly ... more - virtualperceptions

What gives prestige to VR/AR awards?

Let’s talk about the nature of VR/AR awards . The industry is still (relatively) young, and it doesn’t have the broad swathe of titles that usually go with more established areas like marketing. If conducted properly, awards give genuine prestige to ... more - virtualperceptions

Analysing the HoloLens deal with the U.S. Army

Let’s talk about Microsoft’s $22bn U.S. Army deal with HoloLens. Having worked together several years ago with a smaller contract, the U.S. Army announced that their entire Close Combat Force will be outfitted with HoloLens devices, according to Bloomberg. ... more - virtualperceptions

Analysis: How can the VR/AR community bring in new people?

Let’s talk about where people in VR/AR hang out, with their pros and cons. I’ve been thinking about the topic because the community is passionate to bring in new people who may be interested in immersive tech, sharing the love. Marketing-wise, people ... more - virtualperceptions

Analysing the ramifications of Facebook’s wrist devices

Let’s talk about the ramifications of Facebook’s research on wrist-based hand tracking. In case you missed it, Facebook unveiled some of its work on new hand gestures for both VR and AR devices, and it’s got my brain whirring. Some benefits of the work ... more - virtualperceptions

Distinguishing between one macro-metaverse and several micro-metaverses (2021)

In 1900, a German chocolate factory named Theodor Hildebrand & Son released a series of postcards outlining their vision of the 21st century. Titled ‘Germany in the year 2000,’ the postcards showed trains pulling houses and towns on tracks, people ... more - virtualperceptions

VR/AR is not progressing quickly because we are focusing on the wrong design principles (Analysis)

Let us face it: we’ve both seen plenty of AR/VR experience that made us think, ‘Why does this exist?’ The short and gimmicky AR apps that children play for thirty seconds, before they switch to Peppa Pig on YouTube. The clunky and nauseating VR games ... more - virtualperceptions

VR in 2021: What is the future?

2020 is best summarised as a continuation of the trends from 2019 – mostly. Cheaper and high-quality virtual reality (VR) headsets rolled out in 2020, advertising specifications that either improves the quality of experiences, increases the quality of ... more - virtualperceptions

Analysis: Immersive tech in film festivals (2020)

It is not lost on anyone that the best year for immersive film festivals came at the same time as the global pandemic. Locked inside and bubbling in boredom, VR users popped on their headsets and escaped their four walls into a new dimension of enjoyment ... more - virtualperceptions

Will the Oculus Quest 2 sell well this Christmas? – Analysis

Before we hit the madness of Christmas, Facebook unveiled the Oculus Quest 2 (after a series of leaks). The battleground is set, and the arena of festive capitalism welcomes its combatants: Facebook wants the standalone VR headset to become the hot consumer ... more - virtualperceptions

The Immersive Wire – 9 September 2020

By Tom Ffiske // 9 September 2020 Like the content? Support the newsletter via Patreon. The Midnight Library is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. If you feel you have many regrets in your life, it is a must-read. Presented by: No-one! At least, not yet. If ... more - virtualperceptions

Venice VR Expanded: Visiting a virtual film festival

My immersive colleagues always rated Venice Film Festival as a lot of fun. The glitz and glamour of intermingling stars and flashing shoots sparked a fun sense of wonder in my mind. But critically, Venice Film Festival has been supporting the immersive ... more - virtualperceptions

Analysis: Using VR/AR in education during the pandemic

How many times have you heard that VR would get a boost during the pandemic? Quite a few times, I would assume. But the reasoning makes sense on paper; if stuck at home with no way to attend school, immersive solutions have the perfect opportunity to ... more - virtualperceptions

Theatres and music festivals: Where VR works, and where it fails

Glastonbury Festival is a staple of the UK’s music culture. What was a massive festival where people partied and shared drugs, evolved into a massive festival where people partied and shared drugs secretly. The Glastonbury experience can be summarised ... more - virtualperceptions

Thank you!

Thank you for subscribing to the Immersive Wire! You should get an email in your inbox very soon. Please confirm your intention to subscribe in the email, and the sign-up process is complete. Thank you so much! The post Thank you! appeared first on Virtual ... more - virtualperceptions

Spatial audio and VR/AR: What’s the significance?

Strip away graphics and gestures, and audio is one of the most important parts of any experience. Good graphics go far, and mechanics make a world feel alive – but good audio brings is absolutely necessary. No audio is like a house without walls. Spatial ... more - virtualperceptions