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XR Announcements and Themes Fresh From Microsoft Ignite

ARPost

The second edition of Ignite, Microsoft’s annual software event, took place this week (November 2-4) virtually once again – hosted in Teams, naturally. Insights From Microsoft’s CEO Himself. If there is one takeaway from the event, it’s exactly what you might have guessed: Microsoft is going long on the metaverse.

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Microsoft Axes Social VR Platform & XR Interface Framework Amid Wide-reaching Layoffs

Road to VR

Microsoft is laying off 10,000 employees, and with it the company is axing social VR platform AltspaceVR and its XR interface framework, Mixed Reality Toolkit. In a Hail Mary that few expected, Microsoft turned around and snapped up the ailing platform only two months after the planned shut-down date.

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The Auggie Awards 2021

ARPost

The ceremony included one new Auggie for Best Collaborative Tool, which was added in light of the high demand for this kind of product during the pandemic. Best Collaboration Tool. HP Global Head of VR for Go-To-Market, Joanna Popper, presented the award for Best Collaboration Tool to ShapesXR by Tvori. Best Developer Tool.

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Goodbye AltSpace VR, Hello Microsoft Mesh

XR Today - Mixed Reality tag

Microsoft is updating its popular Teams work communications application to include real-time 3D (RT3D) digital human avatars this May. The solutions provider first announced the inclusion of virtual humans for Teams back in 2021. Microsoft announced the update’s release window as part of its 365 Roadmap earlier this week.

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2021 Immersive Tech Trends

Tech Trends VR

With the widespread need for social distancing and shift towards remote work, companies turned to immersive technology tools such as real-time 3D, AR, and VR to connect employees for remote collaboration, replace events and exhibitions, and allow teams to work in offices, labs, and sites from afar. Expect that to continue into 2021.

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The XR Week Peek (2022.03.22): Quest to feature new parental control tools, Google acquires Raxium, and more!

The Ghost Howls

After many pressures from the community and the media, Meta has finally decided to introduce new parental control tools in Quest 2. All these measures are very welcome and they were strongly needed because during Christmas 2021 many kids received a Quest as a gift. Microsoft IVAS program is not doing great. Other news.

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A Farewell to AltspaceVR

ARPost

Much of the post waxes nostalgic about the platform, which launched in 2015 and was purchased by Microsoft in 2017. Why, Microsoft? The team writes that they are closing AltspaceVR to “shift our focus to support immersive experiences powered by Microsoft Mesh.” It has been a privilege to help unlock passions among users.”

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