Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development at Microsoft Corp., speaks during ... [+]
Magic Leap hires new CEO Peggy Johnson, a highly credentialed exec from Microsoft via Qualcomm. Johnson will begin work at Magic Leap in August. In spite of recently reeling in an additional $350 M in funding, with its visionary founder Rony Abovitz and most of the original $3 B money gone, the company faces off with Microsoft, Apple and Facebook a decided underdog.
SOUTH PASADENA, CA - APRIL 23: 11-year-old Ansel, the photographer’s son, plays Fortnite featuring ... [+]
Sony Corporation investing $250 million in Epic Games. Sony is acquiring a 1.4% stake in Epic putting Epic’s current valuation at $17.86 billion. Existing investors like Kleiner also participated in the round. In June 2012 Tencent invested $330 million for 43% of the company. Its stake today is worth over $7 Bn. Not to take the focus off Epic, but we just noticed Tencent is the 8th largest company in the world valued at more than $500 B. The Chinese government is its majority shareholder.
Apple’s semi-transparent lenses moving from prototype to trial production at Foxconn. There are multiple reports that Apple’s coming AR glasses are being mass produced at the factory that makes the iPad. It’s part of an EVT (engineering validation testing) to determine how long it takes to make the device, production pain points, etc. This often leads to design changes, and is obviously a big factor in cost.
From the maker of PokemonGO.
Niantic Labs revealed their next AR title CATAN – World Explorers. Following in the success of Pokemon GO and Harry Potter Wizards Unite, Niantic is again creating an experience based on an existing popular IP. The new CATAN title turns the world into a game board. A release date has not been announced, but beta signups are available on the CATAN – World Explorers website.
The Under Presents hosting live immersive theater presentation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Participants join live actors in a unique take on the classic play, joining in as characters themselves from time to time. Tickets for the experience are available as in-app purchases for $15, and like a real world theater, ticket holders gather in a lobby before the show. Paid performances take place on the hour from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM PT on weekdays and 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM PT on weekends. Shows run from July 9th to the end of September. Further proof that VR will be the savior of live performance. Bravo. Recommended. Cheap at that price.
HONG KONG, CHINA - 2019/07/28: Visitors are seen playing a Marvel Iron man game with a virtual ... [+]
Ironman VR released last Friday on PSVR. The new title from Camoflaj puts players in the shoes of Tony Stark as he suits up as Ironman to fly around, shoot bad guys, and save the world.
Preorder this must-read!
Ready Player One sequel Ready Player Two available November 24th. I think it’s safe to say author Ernie Cline is a geek god at this point. We’d read the phone book if Ernie wrote it. Available for pre-order on Amazon.
Ubiquity6 is shuttering its popular photogrammetry app Display.land, on August 11th. The announcement mentions upcoming “exciting news” on the way from Ubiquity6. Those interested can sign up on their website to receive updates.
Healium’s XR stress relief product wins Procter & Gamble Ventures Innovation Challenge. The award includes $10,000 cash, partnership with P & G, and an invitation to P & G Ventures accelerator program. Healium won the award for their pitch to include “digiceuticals” for mental hygiene alongside physical hygiene products in drugstores and other retailers.
Virtuix continues reopening its Omni Arenas and announces a new title, Blackbeard. The new title aims to be the most kid friendly title on the company’s platform to date. Since the pandemic, 20 of 26 Omni Arena locations have reopened, with additional new installations on the way. The company states business is recovering faster than expected and that they are working on another new title which will be announced later this year at IAAPA 2020.
The Wild collaborated with Tim Burton to create his Neon Museum exhibition. By using 3D scans of the Neon Museum, artists were able to design Tim Burton’s exhibition and place each piece before doing any physical construction.
Yoop expands its eSpace venues for hosting large virtual events. The new venues, opening in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and the UK, are built for artists and entertainers to host virtual events while being able to see thousands of their fans live via large screens. Event attendees can interact and even be pulled on stage virtually.
Sensation down to your fingertips.
HaptX partners with military training company to use its data gloves specifically for medical training procedures.
ICYMI, these stories broke late on Friday, July 3nd
The VOID closes Disneyland location due to license agreement breach. The company recently received a Notice of Event Default and Lease Termination from the Walt Disney World Operating Participants Department. Disney has also barred The VOID from using any Disney intellectual property moving forward. The VOID had two Disney IP experiences: Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire and Ralph Breaks VR. Doesn’t bode well for the LBVR pioneer.
VOID's termination and eviction notices on the door of their shuttered downtown Disney location.
India’s Reliance Jio gets in on video conferencing with JioMeet. The company launched the new service last week providing free video calls for up to 100 individuals with no call time limits. There are not yet any paid versions of the new app, and features include the ability to switch between devices during a call, a safe driving mode, and enterprise tools to ensure privacy.
What we’re reading
‘Animal Crossing,' a Nintendo Switch bestseller, now lets you go swimming
“This Week in XR” is written and edited with Michael Eichenseer.
