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Global shipments of AR/VR headsets decline sharply in 2022: IDC

Global shipments for AR/VR headsets declined 20.9% year over year to 8.8 million units, according to IDC.

This app lets you relive your memories in VR, ‘Black Mirror’-style — Motherboard

A new app called Wist, promises to let users capture videos on their phones and transform them into 3D, immersive memories, writes Sarah Wells. Here is the link: https://www.vice.com/en/article/jg5exb/wist-app-relive-memories-vr

U.S. Air Force awards VR medical simulation training SimX contract

SimX has been awarded an R&D contract by the U.S. Air Force to develop enhanced VR medical simulation training capabilities for battlefield tactical combat casualty care (TCCC).

Meta confirms Quest 3 VR headset is arriving in 2023 — CNET

Meta has confirmed that a mainstream, lower-cost follow-up to the 2-year-old Quest 2 is coming in 2023, writes Scott Stein. Here is the link: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/meta-confirms-quest-3-vr-headset-is-arriving-in-2023/

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg debuts Meta Quest Pro VR headset that will cost $1,500...

The new headset costs $1,100 more than Meta’s Quest 2 headset and contains new technologies like an advanced mobile Snapdragon computer chip, writes Jonathan Vanian.

Amazon will let you try on digital versions of shoes you want to buy...

Amazon has rolled out a new virtual shopping tool that uses augmented reality technology to enable users to try on shoes before they buy them, writes Annie Palmer. Here is the link:...

Microsoft teams up with VW to make HoloLens work in cars — The Verge

The enhancement was developed in collaboration with Volkswagen, which has been experimenting with using the headset as a heads-up display in its vehicles, writes Jon Porter. Here is the link: https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/5/23058193/microsoft-hololens-moving-platform-cars-boats-vehicles-volkswagen-driving-hud

Google has new AR glasses in development — CNET

The glasses look like a next generation vision of Google Glass, writes Scott Stein. Here is the link: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/google-has-new-ar-glasses-in-development/

£5m Virtual Reality centre launches in Portsmouth — BBC

Tools used by video game developers and movie makers to create top-quality virtual content are now available to businesses and charities at the multi-million pound centre, in Portsmouth, UK, according to...

Nodar secures $1.67M 3D vision systems contract with United States Army

Nodar, a provider of multi-camera 3D vision technology, has secured a $1.67 million SBIR Phase II contract with the United States Army to develop 3D vision systems.

Microsoft Teams enters the metaverse race with 3D avatars and immersive meetings — The...

Microsoft is entering the race to build a metaverse inside Teams, just days after Facebook rebranded to Meta, writes Tom Warren. Here is the link: https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/2/22758974/microsoft-teams-metaverse-mesh-3d-avatars-meetings-features

WPP, Snap launch AR partnership

Creative agency WPP and Snap, the camera company behind Snapchat, have inked a global partnership to build and deliver immersive experiences.

Activ Surgical raises $45M

Activ Surgical has raised $45 million in a Series B financing round.

Magic Leap founder Rony Abovitz creates startup Sun and Thunder to build synthetic beings...

Former Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz has started a new company called Sun and Thunder to focus on AI characters and interactive storytelling, writes Dean Takahashi. Here is the link: https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/27/magic-leap-founder-rony-abovitz-creates-startup-sun-and-thunder/

TechSee raises $30M (Israel)

Tel Aviv-based TechSee, an intelligent visual assistance company founded in 2015, has raised $30 million in a Series C equity investment round.

AR is finally infiltrating everyday tasks such as Google search — Fast Company

Augmented reality may have struggled to live up to its initial hype, but it’s quietly working its way into our lives—no fancy headset required; writes Rob Pegoraro. Here is the link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90567886/ar-is-finally-infiltrating-everyday-tasks-such-as-google-search

Using augmented reality to teach children; Blue Hat signs kindergarten deals

Blue Hat, a  producer, developer and operator of augmented reality interactive content in China, says the company has signed agreements with six kindergartens in Xiamen.

The US Army is putting AR goggles on military dogs to better guide them...

The device was developed by Command Sight, as a project for the Army Research Laboratory, writes Mariella Moon. Here is the link: https://www.engadget.com/ar-goggles-for-military-dogs-114535787.html

CBRE, IBM extend relationship to include smart maintenance

IBM Services and CBRE are expanding their relationship to provide technology support services for CBRE's clients at select data center facilities it manages, say the companies.

Magic Leap appoints former Microsoft executive Peggy Johnson as CEO

Magic Leap has appointed Peggy Johnson, former executive vice president of Business Development at Microsoft, as the company's new chief executive.

Google acquires smart glasses company North

Google has acquired North; a company founded in 2012 as Thalmic Labs.

Librestream raises $24M (Canada)

Canadian augmented worker enterprise solutions company Librestream has raised a $24M Series D capital round.

Augmented reality coming to Japan Airlines planes

Gogo and Japan Transocean Air, a Japan Airlines (JAL) group company, have inked a partnership that brings Augmented Reality (AR) to all of JTA's flights.  

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel says smart glasses are 10 years away from mass adoption...

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel on Friday said he expects it will be 10 years before consumers widely adopt augmented-reality smart glasses, writes Salvador Rodriguez. Here is the link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/04/snap-ceo-evan-spiegel-smart-glasses-10-years-from-mass-adoption.html

Bill Gates: If I were starting a company today, it would use AI to...

If Bill Gates were to drop out of Harvard University and start a new company today, it would be one that focuses on artificial intelligence, he said in an interview on...

Ultrahaptics acquires Leap Motion

Ultrahaptics is acquiring AR/VR company Leap Motion for a reported $30 million.

Microsoft CEO Nadella: HoloLens for war is fine if it’s used by a democracy...

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has defended the company's $480m contract to supply HoloLens-for-war headsets to the US Army, writes Liam Tung. Here is the link: https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-ceo-nadella-hololens-for-war-is-fine-if-its-used-by-a-democracy/

The inventor of the hololens just left Apple — Variety

AR/VR pioneer and Hololens co-inventor Avi Bar-Zeev has left Apple, writes Janko Roettgers. Here is the link: https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/hololens-inventor-bar-zeev-leaves-apple-1203127715/

Facebook just announced the $399 Oculus Quest, a new virtual reality headset that doesn’t...

Facebook's Oculus Quest headset, a new standalone virtual reality system that doesn't require a PC to run, will launch in Spring 2019 for $399, writes Kevin Webb. Here is the link: https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-announces-oculus-quest-vr-headset-launching-spring-2019-2018-9

Brainlab, Magic Leap partner for digital surgery

Munich-based Brainlab, a company that develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical technology, has inked an exclusive agreement with Magic Leap.

Apprentice.io raises $8M

Apprentice.io, creators of a conversational augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) platform, has raised $8 million in a Series A funding round.

Apple buys startup focused on lenses for AR glasses — Yahoo Finance

Apple Inc has acquired a startup focused on making lenses for augmented reality glasses, the company confirmed on Wednesday, writes Stephen Nellis. Here is the link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-buys-startup-focused-lenses-235742737.html

Ubiquity6 raises $27M

AR platform company Ubiquity6 has raised $27 million in Series B funding.

Worldwide ICT spending expected to exceed $5.6 trillion in 2021, says IDC

Worldwide information and communications technology (ICT) spending, including new technologies, is expected to exceed $5.6 trillion in 2021,  says IDC.

6D.ai raises seed round

6D.ai, a developer of APIs for augmented reality (AR) apps has raised a seed round. The equity investment was led by General Catalyst.

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headset demand expected to rebound, says IDC

Worldwide shipments for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets will grow to 68.9 million units in 2022 with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 52.5%, according to the latest forecast from IDC.

Dell to start selling Meta 2 augmented reality development kit

Dell will be the first authorized reseller of the Meta 2 augmented reality (AR) development kit from Meta.

Accenture acquires Mackevision

Accenture has entered into an agreement to acquire Germany-based Mackevision, a producer of 3D-enabled and immersive product content.

The University of Washington launching AR/VR lab funded by Google, Facebook, Huawei

The University of Washington is launching a new augmented and virtual reality research center — funded by Facebook, Google, and Huawei.

Baidu, Xiaomi to work together on AI, IoT technologies

Baidu and Xiaomi have entered into a partnership to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

Williams-Sonoma spends $112 million on augmented reality company Outward

Williams-Sonoma is acquiring Outward, a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform, for $112 million.

Visual Vocal raises $3.6M

Visual Vocal, a Seattle-based virtual reality startup, has raised $3.6 million in a seed funding round. The investment was led by Eniac Ventures, with participation from Scout Ventures, Spider Capital and the Alliance...

PTC working with Microsoft to create MR experience

PTC is working to create enterprise mixed reality (MR) experiences with Microsoft HoloLens. The two companies will jointly work to help incorporate building hands-free MR experiences using ThingWorx Studio, say the...

Halliburton to use Microsoft virtual reality, machine learning, Azure solutions

Microsoft and Halliburton announced plans to enter into a strategic alliance for exploration and production (E&P) science, software and services. Researchers and engineers from both companies will leverage and optimize Microsoft technologies...

Sherpa raises $5.5 million

Enterprise video company Sherpa has raised $5.5 million in a Series A round. The round was led by Benhamou Global Ventures (BGV), with participation from Rally Ventures, and existing investors. BGV's...

Taqtile partners with Booz Allen for defense deal

Taqtile, a provider of enterprise software solutions for Windows Universal, HoloLens and Mixed Reality, has inked a partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton to provide its Manifest solution to the United States...

Nomadic raises $6 million round

Immersive entertainment company Nomadic has raised a $6 million seed round of funding. The investment was led by Horizons Ventures, with participation from Maveron, Presence Capital, Vulcan Capital, and Verus International.

Intel inks three-year virtual reality partnership with MLB

Intel has inked a three-year partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) for the company's True VR technology. The chipmaker will be live-streaming one weekly out-of-market game via the True VR app, in addition to...

Spaces raises $6.5M

Mixed reality company Spaces has raised $6.5 million in funding. The investment was led by China-based Songcheng Performances Development Co. , with additional investment from Comcast Ventures and other venture capitalists. Former DreamWorks Animation...

Atari, Chuck E. Cheese founder launches Modal VR for enterprises

Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, have launched a virtual reality platform for businesses, called Modal VR, along with Jason Crawford, founder of Tiny Castle Studios. Modal VR offers...