Imagine being late for school in the metaverse.

Immerse is an educational metaverse platform developed in collaboration with top researchers from North America, Europe, and Japan. According to the company, this “battle-tested” language-learning experience was designed from the ground up for VR headsets.

This week the platform made its official launch on the Meta Quest 2, offering subscribers everything from live Spanish and English lessons to community events, a multiplayer social lounge, and various other educational content.

As a member you’ll receive 12 live VR lessons per month, each of which lead by a language expert there to provide personalized feedback in real-time. You’ll also have 24/7 access to a VR social lounge where you can continue to develop your skills with other users via Live Conversation Practice. There are also weekly events the company hopes will help cultivate a community of learners.

“After Facebook rebranded to Meta it became clear that the metaverse was going to fundamentally change how people work, play, and learn,” Quinn Taber, Founder and CEO of Immerse. “The time had come for virtual reality and the metaverse to no longer be thought of as a small add-on to the classroom, but instead for platforms to go direct-to-consumer and disrupt schools head-on.”

“So our team began meeting with Meta’s teams, as well as with top social impact investors, to design a new virtual world built explicitly for a community of learners,” Taber added. “We are now on a mission to build the first thriving metaverse community that learns, teaches, and builds together…with VR language teaching and learning being our starting place.”

Immerse is available now on the Meta Quest 2 via the Quest Store with plans for cross device compatibility scheduled for the near future. While the app itself is free, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of $44.99 in order to access the aforementioned content. Not exactly cheap, but can you really put a price on a quality education?… Of course not. Well, maybe. Okay, probably.

Image Credit: Immerse

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“Yo dawg, I heard you like VR games…”

A VR developer by the name of Quentin Valembois, aka Valem, is quickly becoming known for his experimental projects involving cutting-edge immersive technology. Whether it be turning his home into a location-based horror game or designing a VR sports experience using an actual bicycle, there appears to be no limit to this indie developers creative imagination.

That said, his most recent endeavor might be his most ambitious to date. Earlier this month, Valembois spent 24 hours in VR building an original game from the ground up using a unique combination of VR software and a whole lot lot of finesse.

In video posted to his main YouTube channel, the developer guides us through his experience developing a VR game for the Meta Quest 2 in 24 hours, detailing how and why the project came to life. According to Valembois, every step of the process, from conceptualization to coding, was done entirely in-headset.

He began by sketching out several ideas for potential game mechanics using the virtual whiteboard located in Horizon Workrooms, Meta’s VR co-working platform. Once he had a rough idea of the type of game he was going to make—a simplistic hang-glider simulator—he then switched to the 3D modeling app Shapes XR and began designing the in-game world.

From here it was a matter of trial and error as Valembois juggled both world design and coding. At one point he was even joined by a friend in VR who assisted him with some last-minute adjustments to the environmental design. In order to program the game while in VR, Valem returned to Horizon Workrooms where he was able to access his IRL computer while remaining in-headset.

One of the last steps was sound design, for which Valem turned to Virtuoso, a unique music-making app that lets you compose original songs using an assortment of digital instruments built from the ground-up for VR.

24 hours after beginning the ambitious project, Valem was left with a “finished” VR game complete with an interactive hand glider, multiple environmental elements, and an original soundtrack. The game, while simple, is a testament to what’s possible using modern day VR technology.

Those interested can download and play the game here. You can find a number of other unique projects from Valembois by visiting his YouTube channel. If you like what you see, you may want to consider supporting the creator by donating to his official Patreon.

Image Credit: Valem

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Go 2,000 years back in time on the Virtual Reality Bus.

Whoever said time travel wasn’t possible hasn’t heard of the Virtual Reality Bus, a 16 passenger transportation vehicle operated by Invisible Cities that uses powerful 3D technology to transport you back in time for a 30-minute ride through Rome during its heyday. 

What makes this immersive experience so unique is that there are no headsets. Instead, Invisible Cities uses large transparent 4K OLED screens installed in front of each window on the bus to deliver immersive 3D content.

Using the curtains attached to each “window” this Magic School Bus of sorts teleports you back in time to ancient Rome. At least that what it looks like to the passengers inside. When the curtains are raised, passengers see a modern day view of their surroundings. When lowered, they’re instantly transported 2,000 years in the past to ancient Rome.

This isn’t just a visual experience. The VR Bus incorporates other elements to really sell the experience. Along with the 4K OLED screens, the bus is also equipped with a three-axis accelerometer, a magnetometer, a velocimetry, and a surface laser that all come together to capture every bump, turn, and speed the bus is moving, and incorporate it into the virtual experience.

Digital speakers inside of the bus help deliver a realistic audio experience that makes you think you’re driving through a crowd of ancient Romans, while a network of small vents deliver smells like frankincense, myrrh, charcoal, Guaita wood, birch, and vetiver grass as your drive past Temples, and hints of metallic aldehydes, civic musk, and cumin as you pass the Colosseum. 

“The VR Bus project will allow visitors to literally immerse themselves in the history of Rome,” said the city’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who described the experience as a “one-of-a-kind initiative” that will take tourists and Roman residents “on a journey to discover Rome’s past.”

Another thing to mention is that the Virtual Bus is also an electric bus, so it’s totally sustainable! 

Invisible Cities VR Bus tours are available now and run every 40 minutes between 4:20PM and 7:40PM and last 30 minutes. English language tours are available at 5:00PM, 6:20PM and 7:40PM. All other tours are in Italian. 

Tickets cost €16 and can be purchased online or at the ticket booth at Trajan’s Column.  Children younger than six ride for free.

Image Credit: Invisible Cities

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The new update makes sideloading games and apps easier than ever.

If you own a Meta Quest headset you’ve probably heard of SideQuest. The popular VR platform features a wide variety of unofficial games and apps as well as a number of useful tools for your headset. Previously, you had to connect your headset to a computer or Android device using a USB Type-C cable in order to download content.

Thanks to a new update, however, you can now access the platforms growing catalog of VR games and apps directly from your Quest headset.

Earlier today, the company announced a major update to the SideQuest app that introduces a number of exciting improvements. This includes everything from the aforementioned in-VR app as well as a simplified sideloading process, additional headset settings, and more custom Home options. You can download the experimental in-VR app here.

Setup is painfully easy. After downloading the app, simply connect your headset to the PC using a USB Type-C cable and select “Install SideQuest in your headset.” Once completed, you can then browse the entire SideQuest catalog and download apps directly from your headset.

The new app also features built-in diagnostics that can detect whether your account is set to developer mode (required for sideloading) as well as any issues with the ADB drivers. There’s also a simplified file transfer system, making it easier to install VR game ports such as Team Beef’s DOOM 3, Quake 2, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and Half-Life. If you’re new to sideloading, the app now features a handy-dandy instruction manual to help guide your through the sideloading process.

Last but not least, today’s update introduces a series of improvements to Custom Homes. In addition to the Home environments provided by Meta, you can also download custom Homes built by the community. This includes three new locations developed by the SideQuest team: Sydney Apartment, Space Cabin, and Relaxing Living Room.

Other custom Home environments available for download include Rick & Morty, Naruto, SpongeBob, The Simpsons, Minecraft, and Pokémon just to name a few. As if that weren’t cool enough, the team has also provided instructions on how to build your own Home environments and integrate them into your game APKs.

The experimental in-VR app is available for download here. According to the team, the existing SideQuest desktop app will continue to receive support alongside its VR counterpart. For more information check out the teams full post on Reddit.

Image Credit: SideQuest

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The company will begin by changing ‘Facebook Pay’ to ‘Meta Pay.’

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week announced that the company is working on a digital wallet that will make it easier to spend and make money in the metaverse.

In a recent Facebook post, Zuckerberg talked about a future where all of the purchases you make in the virtual world, from clothing and music to event tickets and art, are stored in a single, easy-to-access location. In addition to managing your funds, this digital wallet would also be used to manage your identity in the metaverse.

“There’s a long way to get there, but this kind of interoperability will deliver much better experiences for people and larger opportunities for creators,” said Zuckerberg in his post. “That is, the more places you can easily use your digital goods, the more you’ll value them, which creates a bigger market for creators.”

The first step toward this fiscally responsible future will be changing the name of Facebook Pay to Meta Pay. Other than that, the payment method will remain more or less the same. You can still shop for items, transfer money to friends, and donate to charities via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

“The more places you can easily use your digital goods, the more you’ll value them, which creates a bigger market for creators,” added Zuckerberg. “The more easily you can transact, the bigger the opportunity for creators should get as well. We’re looking forward to building this out.”

Recently, Meta announced the Avatars Store, a new way for Facebook and Instagram users to purchase high-end designer clothing for their Meta Avatars. Not only that, but we’ll eventually have the ability to design and sell our own virtual clothing. While currently unavailable in VR, the company has confirmed that the store will eventually make its way to Meta Quest headsets.

As paid content continues to expand into the metaverse, the need for a secure digital wallet in which to manage our identities could become more important. For more information check out Zuckerberg’s Facebook post here.

Image Credit: Reuters

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The Tribeca Film Festival has already come and gone, and this year’s event boasted of 20-plus celebrated immersive works. 

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s popular Tribeca neighborhood, audiences flocked to the central festival hub at Spring Studios. Ever the significant effort of TFF’s dedicated curators, the immersive showcase included mixed reality pieces representing international, innovative, and diverse creatives who took their subject matter to new realms and new media.

For VRScout, I explored the festival’s XR titles with a discerning eye, critically assessing which narratives best utilized emerging technologies to tell their story.

Container

This 180-degree VR film was one of the most compelling uses of the format I have experienced. Deeply disturbing and undeniably imaginative, I was the uncomfortable witness to those left invisible to society; those forgotten, those dismissed. 

I was blown away by the somewhat simplistic storytelling—moving along what seemed to be a suspended dolly track, back and forth through shipping containers, each one containing the lives, and deaths, of several characters, all of whom were literally or figuratively trapped inside one crate after another until their stories start overlapping. 

Reminiscent of other multi-universe narratives (Zbigniew Rybczyński’s “Tango” stands out), this nonlinear art film is painful and important. The use of 180-degree VR puts pressure on the viewer and takes the discomfort to a needed next level.

LGBTQ+ Museum

This virtual space, a touching dedication to identity and expression, was an act of love and consideration for the queer community. The experience offered a personal exploration of self, using objects (volumetrically captured and interactive) such as clothing, technologies, and teddy bears, as well as art up on the digital display.

Designed quite literally like a museum, the experience was an easily understandable one, as I effectively “walked” room to room reading each art object label. The through-line of artifacts within the museum interestingly ranged from “art” as creation, to meaningful items associated with identity contextualizing life experiences. I was moved by the quality of personal transparency each of the over 15 contributors shared about themselves to a global audience. 

Evolver

This haunting, poetic ode to life itself was an opportunity to experience the perspective of air moving through a human body. In a wink of reality, this multi-viewer experience had added depth as those of us participating simultaneously breathed in and out together in the same room as we moved silently through a larger-than-life depiction of the flow of oxygen throughout a single being. 

Trance-inducing and eerie, Evolver is a dedication to the art of existing, changing in every moment and affecting one another with the seemingly most simple of actions: breathing. This inspired artwork on the cycle of respiration was best experienced through VR as a personal and emotional interaction bringing us back to ourselves.

Iago

Clever and stylized, Iago was an augmented experience not to be missed. Polished and consumer-ready, it felt like a doll-house-sized toy carefully designed with full consideration of a 360-degree engagement. 

The next-gen music video tells the story of Shakespear’s infamous villain, Iago, reimagined as a woman. The exhibit featured an interesting and memorable physical set design for the festival. Numerous platform pedestals with sculpted, small, flat worlds, transitioned into a well-occluded augmented experience with a full-blown production scaled down to size.

While the music itself was incredibly repetitive and I was disappointed with the lack of interaction, the animated assets and production value were well-executed and perfectly novel.

Platisapiens

Described as “a surrealist work of eco-fiction, an invitation to explore the human influence on the environment, and, inversely, an exploration of how the environment affects human evolution,” Platisapiens was a strange and otherworldly trip into understanding the potential consequences of merging with plastic waste. 

Platisapiens took me on a strange and up-close experience into an abstracted bodily landscape, then transported me to the beginning of evolution itself. The sci-fi-esque narrative offers an upsettingly honest take on how we’re close to becoming full-time residents of the Plastosphere. The visual timeline was designed to be both historically accurate, as well as playful and engaging. 

I found the use of VR to be compelling as I played the role of a spectator watching skin breathe up and down in front of me; I touched plastic particles and then swam in the depths of the oceans with ancient, stylized aquatic life evolving and morphing; changing yet again to exist within the human body, observing and touching plastic-parts bubbling over organic veins—a wholly unique perspective on a foreboding, environmental PSA.

Feature Image Credit: Marshmallow Laser Feast

The post The 5 Best Uses Of XR At Tribeca Immersive 2022 appeared first on VRScout.

Create an interactive 3D replica of your personal space using the IKEA Kreativ Scene Scanner.

It was back in 2019 that IKEA first introduced the ability to preview furniture in AR using its IKEA Place app. Gone are the days of having to visit a store in-person to shop. Using a smartphone device, you can actually layer photo-realistic 3D models of existing IKEA products over the real world.

IKEA Kreativ is a new digital design tool from the Swedish home furnishings retailer that utilizes a combination of spatial computing, machine learning, and mixed reality technologies to deliver a unique mixed reality shopping experience. Not only can you position new IKEA furnishings and cycle through various alternatives, you can now delete your own furniture from the real world.

Built directly into the IKEA app, the IKEA Kreativ Scene Scanner allows you to create interactive 3D replicas of your personal space using a remote sensing method called LiDAR. After scanning the room using a compatible iOS device, you can then delete your current furniture and replace it with new IKEA furnishings, including couches, tables, and beds, each of which features accurate dimensions.

If you don’t have access to a compatible iOS device you can instead upload a series of photos to the IKEA website at which point they’re automatically assembled into an interactive 2D replica. Once processed, you’re then free to delete and replace furniture at your leisure.

In addition to the Kreativ Scene Scanner, IKEA also introduced 50 new 3D showrooms featuring IKEA products and design ideas you can sample in realistic spatial settings. Of course, each of the products featured can be purchased directly through the app for maximum convenience.

“Ingka Group is passionate about helping people create a better life at home, and we continuously look to add value to our customers’ experience, both on and offline,” said Parag Parekh, co-acting Chief Digital Officer at Ingka Group, one of several companies responsible for the scanners core technology.

“Through the innovative, intuitive technology of Geomagical Labs and simple digital experience, we believe IKEA Kreativ will break down barriers to shopping for home furnishing, empowering people to go from inspiration to reality and design their perfect home.”

The IKEA Kreativ Scene Scanner can be accessed by downloading the official IKEA iOS app or by visiting IKEA.com. According to IKEA, the experience will be available for Android users sometime in the near future. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: IKEA

The post You Can Now Delete Your Furniture Using IKEA’s AR App appeared first on VRScout.

BMW is also getting in on the action with its own VR world with drivable MINI Coopers.

American instrument manufacturer Fender has partnered with Meta (formerly Facebook) to launch the Fender Stratoverse, a VR world dedicated to all things music.

Built inside Horizon Worlds, Meta’s social VR metaverse, visitors can explore a guitar-shaped island complete with a handful of interactive games and activities. As you explore the neck, body, and headstock of the island, you’ll discover unique sounds to collect. These audio bites can also be unlocked by completing specific activities, including an air guitar challenge, pick-tossing game, or guitar trivia competition.

Once you’ve reached the main part of the island, you can use the sounds you’ve acquired throughout the scavenger hunt to create your own unique melodies via the Riff Maker.

“Once a pick is unlocked, the player takes it down to the main island where they can place it in one of the 12 spots in the Riff Maker to add their sound to the customisable looping riff,” explained Fender. “Completing the scavenger hunt unlocks customisable wearables as well as a promo word reveal to a Fender Stratosphere playlist.”

“We could not be more pleased to have been invited by Meta to bring Fender into the Metaverse for the first time,” added Evan Jones, CMO at Fender. “As a brand we are committed to enabling all forms of musical expression and are thrilled by the potential this technology has to allow Fender fans and creators to come together, play, and create across borders, cultures, and from any distance.

Interestingly enough, the Stratoverse wasn’t the only metaverse experience announced at Cannes Lion, an international festival for those working in advertising and creative communications. During the event, BMW Group revealed its own VR world built inside Horizon Worlds called the MINIverse. Here visitors can drive virtual MINI Coopers around a virtual course.

The Stratoverse and MINIverse are open to the public right now via Horizon Worlds, which is available for download free on Meta Quest 2 VR headsets via the Quest Store.

Over the past several months, Meta has partnered with a number of major brands looking to expand into the metaverse. This past May the company teamed up with the National Basketball Association to launch an NBA Lane experience in Horizon Worlds. Prior to that the American fast-food chain Wendy’s announced the Wendysverse, a virtual restaurant in Horizon Worlds complete with games and prizes.

Image Credit: Fender

The post Fender Launches Music Metaverse Shaped Like A Giant Guitar appeared first on VRScout.

The company’s visualization engine layers digital content over professional athletes in real-time.

The NHL thought it would be a great idea to broadcast the Stanley Cup Championship games using Beyond Sports’ unique visualization engine that turns players into blocks-like avatars and I honestly don’t think I can watch a live sports game any other way moving forward.

Beyond Sports is an AI-based visualization company that uses a cool tracking technology along with player positional data to transform them into what they call “Blockies.” It looks like a video game, but it’s actually digital content matched over the players in real-time.

Members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Colorado Avalanche, and even the Zamboni driver were all turned into adorable block-like avatars through Beyond Sports’ approach, showing us what the future of sports in the metaverse could potentially look like in the future. 

Even the fans were turned into block avatars, but that looked more like pre-recorded digital content used to help create the illusion of a packed virtual stadium. Sadly, the refs got no virtual love and weren’t even represented in the game.

Watching the game was a little strange, but I found it to be much easier to follow the action on the ice, and it sounds as though hockey fans were digging it! On the NHL’s YouTube page, where they streamed the data-infused Stanley Cup games, fans were commenting on how much they loved this approach.

• “Why is this so incredibly adorable to see little blocky versions of the players?” – ShinyMew76
• “Other major sports leagues need to do this! This is great!” – Unsalted Nuts
• “Love it or hate it, props to the NHL for trying something new and unique for once,” and The Hockey Man commented, “Such a big help to visualize and understand the overall flow of the game in a simplistic way!” – Frunkiss

Of course, not all the comments were positive, with some viewers expressing their disdain for the simplistic graphics, comparing it to the video game Minecraft. But overall, fans seemed to enjoy the experience. 

As for how the system works, the company appears to be using sensors embedded into the players’ jerseys in order to track their positions on the ice and overlay digital content in real-time. 

Though this virtual approach really isn’t AR or VR, it does bring up a lot of interesting questions regarding the use of AR and VR in sports. For example, you could use a VR headset to put yourself on the playing field or use a mobile device or AR glasses to view the game with Blockie avatars. 

Check out what they did with this Nickelodeon NFL Wildcard Game. Not only did the experience put you directly on the field, but also added some fun effects like lighting and flames.

Beyond Sports also has a Gameface app available on the iOS and Android store that you can use to record and then share your favorite clips of Eredivisie games.

In addition to the NHL, the company has also begun working with the NBA, NFL, KNVB, MLS, Bein Sports, the German Football Association, ESPN, and Sky Sports. 

To learn more about Beyond Sports and upcoming games using their Blockie avatars, check out their website by clicking here. 

Image Credit: Beyond Sports

The post Beyond Sports Uses AI To Turn NHL Players Into Blocky Avatars appeared first on VRScout.

The location-based VR platform features motion controls, spatial audio, and temperature haptics.

We first covered UNCONTAINED back in 2021. Developed by XR Immersive Tech Inc., the one-of-a-kind VR entertainment platform uses industrial shipping containers to immerse you in hyper-realistic location-based VR experiences via a combination of haptic feedback technology and physical interactions.

Earlier today, XR Immersive Tech Inc. announced plans to open its first UNCONTAINED venue this summer at Playland Amusement Park in British Columbia and the annual PNE Fair in Vancouver, Canada. Visitors can immerse themselves the company’s flagship game, Deep Signal. In this multiplayer sci-fi experience, you and your friends embark on an intergalactic journey across multiple galaxies.

The game features a number of cutting-edge technologies designed to further immerse you in the experience. This includes everything from motion capture and spatial audio to a motion floor and temperature haptics capable of simulating heat and cold.

“We are looking forward to hosting the debut of XR Immersive Tech’s UNCONTAINED attraction at Playland and the Fair this summer,” said PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance in an official release. “We are confident that the technology and next-generation experience will be very well received by our guests.”

“As a homegrown Vancouver company we see the iconic Playland Amusement Park as a perfect fit,” added UNCONTAINED CEO Tim Bieber. “Not only is it one of Canada’s oldest and greatest amusement parks, but it’s also a place where we expect to get a lot of feedback from our own extended community. I am excited that UNCONTAINED gets to meet the world in a place so close to my heart. Similarly, I am supremely proud of our team, many of whom call Vancouver their home.”

UNCONTAINED’s location-based VR attraction will be available at the above-mentioned events beginning July 7th. Those interested in bringing UNCONTAINED’s location-based shipping containers to their own events or venues can learn more here.

Image Credit: Uncontained

The post You Can Now Play VR Games Inside A Shipping Container appeared first on VRScout.

Volumetric video brings former comedic actor and current Ukrainian President to life on your coffee table.

With the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia putting a strain on Ukrainian resources, President Volodymyr Zelensky has begun reaching out to the global technology community for support in rebuilding the county’s digital infrastructure. And what better way to capture the hearts and minds of Europe’s top tech investors and corporate leaders than with a cutting-edge presidential address?

Recently, Ben Nunez, co-founder and CEO of Evercoast, a company specializing in volumetric video capture, visited Kyiv to record an official presidential address from the man himself using the company’s proprietary cloud software platform. The result is a hyper-realistic 3D digital human complete with animation as well as audio.

“Ukraine is a chance for a global digital revolution,” said Zelensky in the speech; “a chance for every technology company and a chance for every visionary to show their value, skills, technologies and ambitions.”

As if that weren’t cool enough, you can use your smartphone device to watch Zelensky’s rousing speech in AR. You don’t even need to download an app. Simply scan the QR code provided below and allow the website access to your camera and speakers. You can then tap on your screen to project a volumetric 3D model of Zelensky anywhere throughout your real-world space. By dragging your fingers across the screen you can resize and rotate the 3D model to view it from multiple angles.

“Evercoast had the extraordinary opportunity to produce and deliver a seminal moment in volumetric video with a holographic capture of President Zelensky from Kyiv. This is an incredibly important message from a leader whose country is under siege, and Evercoast is honored to have been a part of this,” said Ben Nunez, Co-founder and CEO at Evercoast.

The project was created by Martin Williams (Talesmith) and Thomas Hoegh (Garden Studios), directed by Martin Williams, and produced by Mark Wright (Talesmith) and Thomas Hoegh, and was shot on location in Kyiv. In an effort to help extend the country’s communication capabilities, Evercoast has donated its volumetric video equipment to the Ukrainian government.

Here’s hoping this is just the first of many AR addresses from President Zelensky. To learn more about the project visit ff.evercoast.com. In addition to immersive technology, the country has begun dabbling with NFTs to help bolster its war efforts. The government recently sold a CryptoPunk NFT donated to the country for a sizable $100,000. Prior to that, the country made a whopping $6.75 million with the sale of a Ukrainian flag NFT. Since February the country has received over $135 million in crypto donations.

Image Credit: Evercoast

The post Watch The President Of Ukraine Deliver A Speech In AR appeared first on VRScout.

You can also “try on” clothing in AR using the Snapchat app, anytime, anywhere.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Snapchat and British Vogue are coming together to launch Vogue x Snapchat: Redefining the Body, an incredible AR exhibition curated by Editor in Chief, British Vogue and European Editorial Director, Vogue, Edward Enninful OBE (Order of the British Empire).

The AR exhibit features high-end fashion designs brought to life using custom Snapchat filters. Textiles transform into innovative digital AR experiences that tell stories about heritage and diversity or echo a global movement.

The groundbreaking event will be hosted in Cannes, France at the Centre d’art La Malmaison. Snap and Vogue will showcase clothing designs from seven of the world’s leading fashion brands and designers; Balenciaga, Dior, Gucci, Kenneth Ize, Richard Quinn, Stella McCartney, and Versace. 

Anyone attending this event will be able to walk through an incredible custom design room and unlock the creative vision of these fashion leaders in inclusive design using powerful AR Snapchat try-on experiences. 

Each designer will work in one of six custom environments that will complement their physical fashion and using custom Snap Lenses, the designers will be able to bring their works to life in a way that is inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Here’s what you can expect from each designer (as provided by Snap):

Balenciaga: 

• The French maison’s exhibition room is swathed in opaque darkness. Dense black curtains line the space, which houses two spotlit looks from Balenciaga’s 50th Couture Collection, and nods to the design of a historic dressing salon.
• The pieces are part of Balenciaga’s first Couture collection since 1968, the year the maison’s founder retired.
• Attendees can scan the room’s Snapcode to instigate different perspectives of the monochromatic environment.
• There will also be a custom Balenciaga AR experience, with try-on Lenses available to wear the shocking-pink opera coat showcased in the exhibition. 

Dior: 

• In the courtyard of the Centre d’Art La Malmaison, a three-metre-high statue of a model wearing the revolutionary Dior New Look of 1947 welcomes guests to Redefining the Body.
• Standing on a five-pointed star – a symbol of divine providence that inspired the superstitious founding couturier to open his house in 1946 – she holds the iconic Lady Dior bag, an emblem of elegance for nearly three decades.
• The Snapchat Snapcode reveals Dior petites mains skillfully hand-sewing details on this statue as she steps off her star-edged plinth, unifying time-honed craftsmanship with digital technology. 

Gucci: 

• In its exhibition room, the Florentine house replicates the white grid and illusionistic funhouse mirror set design of the Exquisite Gucci runway show. 
• On podiums, mannequins display looks from this masculinity-exploring collection, which imagined the suit as a sartorial prompt. 
• Using the Snapchat Lens, Snapchatters can use their phone screen to warp its dimensions, unearthing colorful portals in a palette that reflects the atmosphere of the Exquisite Gucci show
• Snapchatters will be able to wear Gucci’s tailoring, faux-fur coat, aviator-style sunglasses and beret, revealed in moving tessellated grids.

Kenneth Ize: 

• Kenneth Ize – whose 2013-founded brand champions West African craft – has collaborated with Nigerian multimedia artist Jelili Atiku on an exhibition space featuring vivid reproductions of his paintings and public performance pieces. 
• Within this exhibition room, colorful wall hangings and upholstery are created using Aso oke – a handwoven Nigerian fabric pivotal to Ize’s designs. 
• Mannequins display vivid one-off gowns, which reflect Ize’s commitment to craft. 
• Through the Snapchat AR experience, viewers can experience Ize’s West African story, brought to life through sound, and wear his tactile creations, which will ripple and unfurl before their eyes.

Richard Quinn: 

• A geometric grid of florals and polka dots, the exhibition room of British designer and this year’s BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner Richard Quinn is swathed in the prints idiosyncratic of his 2016-founded brand.
• Lenses will reveal a magical garden, where blue roses magnify through a mist, growing before your eyes and giving Snapchatters the opportunity to watch as Quinn’s opera coat and wide-brimmed balaclava appear on their bodies in an interactive swirl of sparkle. 

Stella McCartney: 

• The 2001-founded British house’s exhibition room is transformed into a grotto of giant colorful mushrooms, where mannequins display cascading ruffled dresses from the brand’s spring/summer 2010 collection.
• The space is rooted in Stella McCartney’s spring/summer 2022 collection and campaign theme, Fungi Are The Future Of Fashion And Our Planet, with the designer having been inspired by these incredible organisms’ potential for offering more sustainable solutions from medicine to material innovation.
• The Big Mushroom will transform to showcase digital bees pollinating mushroom spores using Scan technology, and the try-on AR feature will unveil a headdress garlanded with mushrooms alongside a gown growing from fantastic fungi.

Versace: 

• Gilded tiles, Baroque columns, and Versace’s Medusa capture the Italian brand’s feeling of modern opulence within its exhibition room.
• On display are bondage-inspired pieces from the brand’s now-legendary autumn/winter 1992 collection, ‘Miss S&M’.
• Snapchat brings the experience to life, letting Snapchatters wear buckled looks that morph into writhing snakes as the mythological Medusa is brought to life, and transforms into the viewer themself.

Along with physical fashion being used to unlock phenomenal AR experiences, the exhibition’s facade will also be digitally “wrapped” by designers using Snap’s impressive Landmarker technology, transforming the building’s exterior.

“It has always been important to me to make fashion accessible for all. Using augmented reality, Vogue x Snapchat: Redefining the Body is an exhibition that invites everyone – regardless of race, gender, sexuality and size – to experience and enjoy fashion from some of the world’s very best designers and luxury brands,” said Enninful in an official press release, adding “It doesn’t get better than that.” 

During an SXSW 2022 panel called Future Fashion: Physical Form’s Challenge, panelist Samuel Alexander, CEO of C2C Fashion and Technology LLC, talked about how the clothing we wore was more than just a fashion statement; it reflects who we are as people.

He envisioned the day he’d be able to tell that story in a more rich and meaningful way and saw AR technology from companies like Snap Inc. as the key to unlocking that layer.

“We are thrilled to partner with Vogue to empower hundreds of millions of Snapchatters around the world to digitally experience fashion from top designers and brands,” said Evan Siegel, Co-Founder and CEO of Snap inc. “Through this exhibition, and augmented reality more broadly, we hope to introduce new levels of accessibility, creativity, and expression to the fashion and design world.” 

Vogue x Snapchat: Redefining the Body will also see Vogue and Snapchat partnering with DressX to create a capsule collection for the exhibition. This collection will include limited-edition Vogue x Snapchat merch and will be available on the DressX site and at the exhibition for guests to “try on” in AR.

Each of the AR fashion experiences was developed in collaboration with Arcadia, Atomic Digital Design, and Snap’s newly established Paris AR Studio which is focused on empowering and educating the next generation of creators in an effort to inspire the world about the possibilities of augmented reality across art, education, and culture. You can also try on some of the outfits at home by visiting Snapchat’s Lens carousel or in the Dress Up tab in Lens Explorer.

Vogue x Snapchat: Redefining the Body launches today. For more information, click here. 

Image Credit: Snap Inc.

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Turn your home into the ultimate stargazing lounge.

Available now on the Meta Quest, Skygaze (Demo) is a prototype VR experience that turns your headset into a mixed reality stargazing lounge. You can explore the solar system and search for constellations, learn more about our system’s planets, or catch a show at the virtual planetarium, all from the comfort of your living room.

The app is simple, but nonetheless captivating thanks to its unique use of Meta’s Passthrough API. You begin by identifying the walls of your real-world home using your Touch controllers. Once you’ve finished setting up, the ceiling of your home will begin to retract, revealing a crystal-clear night sky littered with stars, planets, and constellations, each of which features accurate positioning based on your geographical position and local time of day. There’s even the option to lower your walls, allowing you to view even more of the night sky.

According to developer Emanuel Tomozei, Skygaze is still in active development; what’s available now is just a sample of what’s to come at launch. That said the current version of the app still offers plenty to do. You can search for and identify various stars, constellations, and planets. There’s also a separate planetarium space where you can watch a 360-degree film about our solar system. It’s a pretty surreal feeling, watching city-sized asteroids pass overhead as you relax at home.

Skygaze is available now as a free demo on the Meta Quest via the App Lab. Based on the trailer, it appears as though we can expect a virtual telescope mode in the future, which should add additional stargazing opportunities. I’m also hoping the app eventually makes its way to Project Cambria, Meta’s work-focused mixed reality device with high-resolution color passthrough.

“I am hoping to develop it into a full app but it all depends on interest and funding. Any ideas of thoughts on what works, what doesn’t or what could be improved or added would be great to hear!” said Tomozei in a Reddit post.

We first talked about Skygaze last year, back when it was called Stargazer. Tomozei submitted the project to the Facebook XR Hackathon where it won third place in the Mixed Reality track. At the time, he vowed to spend the prize money won in the competition on developing a full-fledged app, and today we saw the first fruits of his labor.

For more information on the Skygaze project visit here.

Image Credit: Emanuel Tomozei

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The latest addition to EA’s legendary video game franchise looks like its most ambitious yet.

Arriving next month on PC and consoles, F1 22 is the latest racing game simulator from EA Sports. It’s also the first in the long-running series to feature support for VR headsets, allowing you to further immerse yourself in the high-speed action.

Earlier this week, a new trailer dropped, teasing two-and-a-half minutes of goosebump-inducing VR gameplay captured using a PC VR headset. The video features professional F1 driver Lance Stroll of Team Aston Martin racing in the Canadian Grand Prix, one of several circuits you’ll compete in when the game launches on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC VR headsets on July 1st.

F1 22 will feature improved physics and a new handling model designed to better simulate what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of an F1 racecar. Of course, a new season means new cars as well as new courses, such as the Miami International Autodrome. In addition to VR, F1 22 will also be the first in the series to feature the F1 Sprint—a mini race featuring the usual roster of F1 superstars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen—as well as F1 Life, a lavish new space to show off your supercars, clothing, and accessories.

“It’s a new era in the sport of Formula 1 and also a new era for us with the F1 series. The first thing which will stand out is that this is our first fully EA SPORTS branded title, which is clear from the new naming convention and something we’re very proud to be part of,” said Lee Mather, Senior Creative Director for F1 22, during an interview with The Xbox Hub.

When it came to VR support, EA Sports enlisted the help of developer Codemasters, the same team that brought VR to DiRT, another popular racing game for PC and consoles.

“We’ve heard it loud and clear from our players that they wanted VR in the F1 series. We needed to make sure we were in a position to be able to deliver it to the level we expected of our work,” added Mather. “We wanted to be sure that the VR on track experience was going to be as immersive and exciting as it deserves to be.”

“We also had a great opportunity to partner with the team who delivered VR for the DiRT series so we knew we’d be getting quality. Alongside our amazingly detailed visuals, deep and immersive audio, and the sheer pace and excitement of Formula 1, I think everyone is going to love what we’ve achieved with VR.”

F1 22 will be available beginning July 1st on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and in VR using a PC VR headset or the Meta Quest via Air Link, Virtual Desktop, or any other VR streaming solution. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: EA Sports

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Locate one of Niantic’s AR viewfinders to unlock fun experiences using the company’s Lightship VPS technology.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a global event that has been showcasing creative excellence in communications, advertising, and connectivity between people and brands since 1954. In addition to celebrating hard work and creativity, the event includes big networking opportunities and award ceremonies as well as a swanky opening and closing gala.

Each year in June roughly 15,000 industry leaders from 90 countries make their way to France to join in the festivities. This year, organizers plan on augmenting the festival with a slew of interactive AR experiences that attendees can discover throughout the festival area and unlock thanks to a new partnership with Niantic.

As a partner, Niantic will lean on 8th Wall technology, which was acquired by Niantic back in March to deliver captivating WebAR experiences you can access on your smartphone without having to download a third-party app. This includes Doty’s Metaverse Trek AR Scavenger Hunt created by Aircards in partnership with Emodo as well as the Niantic ARship tour.

You’ll also be able to share your Cannes adventure by sending your friends and family an AR postcard created by Orb Amsterdam or check out the Screenless NFT AR Exhibition curated by the NFT design agency Turboslow.

Powered by 8th Wall’s frictionless WebAR technology, attendees and visitors will have no problem launching fun AR games and exhibits from their phones, all without the need to download an app. Simply locate one of the “8 Code” QR codes scattered throughout the event, open your camera app on your phone, and scan the code to get started. 

On top of fun 8 Code AR activations, Niantic also plans on using real-world objects as part of the fun. As you stroll around Cannes, keep an eye out for one of several Niantic AR Viewfinders. These cool orange devices will let you experience Cannes in a totally different way by providing you with digital information and AR experiences on the city using Niantics Lightship VPS. 

The festival, which runs from June 20th to June 24th, is known not only for celebrating unique cutting-edge marketing techniques but for its killer parties as well. As a sponsor, Niantic will be hosting their own Cannes soiree during the event! If you happen to be at the festival this year, you can check out the Niantic Happy Hour on the Terrace Stage on Thursday, June 23 at 5:30. 

Not only will you be able to meet with the Niantic team in person and check out a bunch of fun WebAR activations, but you’ll also enjoy drinks, shake your booty, and learn more about connecting with your audience through WebAR marketing and advertising using 8th Wall.

If your main objective is all business, however, then you should join Niantics VP of Engineering, Erik Murphy-Chutorian, for a panel discussion at the Infillion Garden on how Web3 (aka the metaverse) will impact the future of consumerism.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity runs from June 20th to June 23rd in Cannes, France. Check out their website for information on the festival and their partnership with Niantic.
Hit the following links for more information on Niantic and 8th Wall.

Image Credit: Niantic x Cannes

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Meta Avatars Store rolls out next week on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger with plans for a VR launch “soon.”

Meta today announced plans to expand its lineup of virtual fashion items for its Meta Avatars with the launch of the Meta Avatars Store. Here you’ll be able to purchase stylish outfits from iconic fashion labels such as Balenciaga, Prada, and Thom Browne, with more options on the way.

The announcement was made earlier today during an Instagram Live broadcast between Eva Chen, VP of Fashion Partnerships, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Throughout the live stream, Chen showcased a handful of virtual ensembles, using Zuckerberg’s own Meta Avatar as an impromptu model. The digital fashion show featured everything from a high-end motorcycle suit from Balenciaga to some classy business attire from Thom Browne.

“When Meta tweeted “Hey @Balenciaga, what’s the dress code in the metaverse?” we were instantly into it. Web3 and Meta are bringing unprecedented opportunities for Balenciaga, our audience, and our products, opening up new territories for luxury,” said Balenciaga CEO Cédric Charbit in an official release.

The Avatars Store will begin rolling out next week on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger with plans for an official VR launch sometime in the near future. No word yet on how much each outfit will cost. According to Meta, you’ll eventually have the ability to design and sell your own virtual clothing, opening the doors for fashion in the metaverse.

You can watch today’s full conversation here.

Image Credit: Meta

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One of the best VR puzzlers available on the Meta Quest just got even better.

The popular VR puzzle game Puzzling Places received a free update earlier today that allows you to solve virtual jigsaw puzzles in AR using the Meta Quest’s Passthrough technology. Previously you could only construct these hyper-realistic 3D models in a virtual space. With the introduction of Update V1.9, however, you can now build these same puzzles anywhere throughout your real-world environment.

The update also includes a new tool enabling you to adjust the brightness, contrast, and hue while in Passthrough mode, adding an additional layer of customization to the experience. To get started, head to your settings menu in the Puzzling Places app and scroll down until you see the option to enable Passthrough mode.

“While playtesting this feature in various environments, we noticed just how much Passthrough mode encouraged us to play Puzzling Places standing and in room-scale,” said the developer in an official release. “We also loved how “present” it made us feel with others in the room, being able to easily carry on conversations and even make eye contact (at least, from our perspective ). 

Developer Realities.io launched a Puzzling Places prototype on SideQuest back in 2020 which featured a single 100-piece puzzle of the Tatev Monastery. The game was released in beta in February 2021 followed by an official launch on the Oculus Store in September 2021.

Since then the team has released a number of hyper-realistic puzzles based on a variety of real-world locations, each of which was brought to life in stunning detail using 3D volumetric capture. You can even lean into each puzzle and listen to audio recorded on-location.

The game comes with 16 original puzzles to complete, including Kushi Yaki Restaurant in Japan, the Khor Virap Monestary in Armenia, the Coast of Basquez in France, and a Union Pacific Railroad Car in the United States. Since its launch, the developer has also released a handful of paid DLC packs, each of which features a different theme, such as ‘Churches of Catalonia’ and ‘Mars Desert Research Station.’

Puzzling Places is available for $14.99 on Meta Quest and Meta Quest 2 headsets via the Quest Store. Passthrough mode is available as a free update for new and existing players. The game is also available on PlayStation VR headsets, though without support for Passthrough mode.

Image Credit: Realities.io

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Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly metaverse is supposedly getting an official VR release on the Meta Quest 2.

A new rumor has begun circulating that Roblox will soon be available on the Meta Quest 2, offering you the chance to explore the uber-popular online game platform in VR without the need for a VR-ready PC. The report comes from Bloxy News, an online news source dedicated to all things Roblox.

Yesterday, the company posted a message on Twitter, saying, “Get ready to experience the metaverse in a new, immersive way. #Roblox is officially coming to another device soon… can anyone guess what it is?”

Accompanying the tweet is an image of the Roblox logo inside what appears to be the original Oculus logo. As if that weren’t clear enough, Bloxy tagged ‘Meta Quest’ in the post. Unfortunately, no official source is provided and, needless to say, Meta has yet to provide a comment.

Considering the massive success of Meta’s latest standalone VR headset, Roblox on the Quest 2 should be a no-brainer for the Roblox Corporation. The kid-friendly metaverse is already playable in VR using a PC VR headset as well as the Meta Quest via real-time streaming solutions such as Air Link or Virtual Desktop. Launching an official version of the game for Quest 2 would open up a whole new demographic of users eager to build new worlds and games on the platform.

We’ve already had an insane amount of fun in VR-friendly Roblox worlds such as Sked’s Playground, Project SCP, VR Hands, and Ragdoll Sim just to name a few. If you’re looking for even more Roblox VR content to enjoy, check out this handy-dandy list provided by TheGamer.

Of course, Roblox on Quest 2 could serve as potential competition for Meta’s own social VR metaverse, Horizon Worlds. Both platforms allow you to interact with other players, explore player-created worlds, and develop your own interactive games and experiences. According to Bloxy, Roblox will be available “soon” on the Meta Quest 2. Until then, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Image Credit: Bloxy News

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Osso VR’s training platform is currently being used by a number of healthcare centers around the world.

Researchers working out of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland recently conducted a study detailing how VR could be a more effective tool for surgical training compared to conventional reading and video methods as well as a practical alternative to physical simulation.

Published in the Journal of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons Global Research & Reviews, the study, “Evaluation of a Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Virtual Reality Surgical Simulation for the Orthopaedic Trainee“ had 21 orthopaedic trainees (9 junior residents & 12 senior medical students) using Osso VR’s medical training platform to perform a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) screw fixation procedure in VR.

Participants were graded on a variety of assessments, including surgical time, screw accuracy, radiographic accuracy, surgical technique, and more. The results were fairly surprising, with VR training being subjectively higher-rated than conventional reading and video methods.

At the same time, researchers saw similar performance outcomes when compared to physical simulation, despite some initial concerns by the team.

“Although practicing with a physical SCFE model may be the most realistic method to train novice surgeons, VR training modules within Osso VR seem to yield similar radiographic accuracy and surgical technique performance while offering a more convenient method to practice surgical skills which is extremely valuable,” said study co-author Dr. Dawn LaPorte, Vice Chairman of Education and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, in an official release.

“Like many surgeons, I initially assumed that physical force feedback would generate significant gains in skill transfer when used in simulation. However when I looked into the literature in the vast majority of studies there seems to be no difference in skill transfer, which this study further supports and reinforces,” added Justin Barad, MD, CEO, and Co-founder of Osso VR. “With modern virtual reality and cutaneous haptics we have the opportunity to bring affordable, portable, and effective simulation to every single surgeon around the world.” 

Osso VR’s virtual training platform is currently being used by a number of hospitals and healthcare centers. This past March, the company secured an additional $66 million in funding for expanding its platform. For more information on the company and its offerings visit here.

Image Credit: Osso VR

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You can soon play “some” Steam games in AR when Steam on Nebula launches in beta later this month.

Nreal, a Chinese augmented reality (AR) company, is launching a new beta that will allow you to stream PC games directly to its lineup of AR glasses. This includes the Nreal Light as well as the recently-released Nreal Air.

The Steam on Nebula beta will launch sometime later this month with support for “some” Steam games. While it’s unclear which games will be compatible at launch, the company has confirmed support for Dirty Rally as well as the entire Halo series. The setup process is a bit wonky at the moment, according to the company, so expect a few hiccups along the way.

Once you’ve installed the app and linked your PC, you can then play select games on a massive 200-inch HD screen anytime, anywhere. The app is powered by Nebula, Nreal’s 3D user interface. Those with an Nreal Light or Nreal Air can already stream games to their glasses via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Support for Steam games only further expands the devices’ entertainment offerings.

The Nreal Light made its US debut this past November for $599. The AR glasses must be physically connected to an Android smartphone via a USB Type-C cable in order to operate and feature AR anchoring as well as hand-tracking capabilities. The more advanced Nreal Air launched last year in China, Japan, and South Korea and is designed primarily for streaming and gaming.

In addition to the Steam on Nebula beta, Nreal is hosting an international competition for AR developers called AR Jam. The event kicks off on June 27th and will feature a number of categories, from art and games to fitness and video, each of which features its own $10,000 grand prize.

For more information on how to get involved visit here.

Image Credit: Nreal

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