Month: September 2021

One of the best recent outings in the Marvel universe is the animated series What If…?, which explores alternate universe takes on various superhero storylines that deliver fascinating scenarios if one single factor had been different in the story. Using that framing, I’d like you to take a moment to imagine something in the real tech multiverse that is just as potentially fascinating: What if Facebook had launched Ray-Bay Stories as a partnership with Instagram instead of Facebook? • Don’t Miss: Facebook and Ray-Ban Stories Smartglasses Unboxing For those within the tech sector, the… more

This was a busy week in the tech space. After everyone got over the major announcements of Apple’s latest, we examined the metaverse through the lens of Hollywood, and then took a closer look at Facebook’s first smartglasses. We also took a trip back through history using Snapchat’s AR Lenses in Paris, and got a glimpse of China’s first big powerhouse AR wearable from wireless giant Xiaomi. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our XR industry job alerts, there might be something in there that might be right up your immersive alley… The New ‘Matrix’ Is Here, What Does It Have to Teach Us… more

It’s about that time again: Facebook has announced the dates for its annual Facebook Connect (formerly known as Oculus Connect until last year). Once again, the event will be held virtually, allowing all registrants to attend from the comfort of their home or office. • Don’t Miss: Facebook and Ray-Ban Stories Smartglasses Unboxing And while the name has changed, the DNA of the event hasn’t, Facebook Connect is all about augmented reality and virtual reality. From the latest developments in Oculus VR, which is continuing to roll out its Horizon social media platform, to the increasing… more

One of the most iconic architectural landmarks on the planet, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, will become a part of augmented reality history thanks to a new project from Snap. The occasion is the launch of Christo Vladimirov Javacheff’s posthumous art installation in the center of Paris, decades after the famed artist first envisioned the work. • Don’t Miss: Hands-On with the Lego Snapchat Augmented Reality Experience That Lets You Build With Friends Remotely The installation, titled “The Final Christo: Original Works for The Arc de Triomph” is both a physical work, a series of photo… more

As if answering Apple’s major iPhone event on Tuesday, Chinese mobile giant Xiaomi held its own product launch event the following day. And while the various smartphone offerings from the tech giant were impressive, it’s the smartglasses product that the company revealed that raised the most eyebrows in the augmented reality space. • Don’t Miss: How to Get a Pair of Snap’s New Spectacles AR Smartglasses The device is called Xiaomi Smart Glasses, and they look like a normal pair of thick-framed glasses. For the fashion nerds, the design is reminiscent of the Cazal luxury glasses made famous… more

The much-hyped Apple event is now history, and we finally know what the Cupertino tech giant had up its sleeve: new iPhones. Tim Cook released the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro with much fanfare, but what he didn’t tell you is that you can sample the device before it hits stores on September 24. • Don’t Miss: Facebook and Ray-Ban Stories Smartglasses Unboxing How can you get an early handle on the device? Why through augmented reality, of course. On the main product page for the iPhone 13, Apple has embedded two AR models of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro that you can access now and place… more

“Unfortunately, no one can be told what the matrix is, you have to see it for yourself.” That’s the line just before Morpheus gives Thomas Anderson (aka Neo) the red pill, finally opening his eyes to the tapestry of code that has veiled his eyes for his entire life. It’s a seminal moment in the film that is now being mirrored in the real world as many are finally becoming familiar with the idea of our own emerging Matrix, currently referred to as “the metaverse.” • Don’t Miss: Investors Bet $1 Billion on Epic Games to Build the Metaverse The film debuted in 1999, roughly 20 years ago, but… more

When it comes to the ever-shifting sands of the augmented reality space, you never know which week will end up being truly historic. Well, this one was one for the history books. Not only did Facebook finally launch its AR-precursor smartglasses with Ray-Ban, it turns out that the courts agree with Epic Games that Apple has been unfairly tagging on high fees on App Store developers. These are both major tectonic events in the AR space for a few reasons detailed below, but this week we also got an amazing preview of Apple’s next act via an immersive AR Easter Egg, and Snapchat just added a… more

The fight to wrest control of apps from Apple’s revenue-focused grip just took a major turn in favor of Epic Games. On Friday, a court issued a permanent injunction against Apple that now allows developers to direct customers to outside payment systems. • Don’t Miss: Epic Games Files Legal Action to Stop Augmented Reality Startup Nreal from Using Name in the US The ruling means that Apple’s traditional fee that cuts into developer profits can now be completely avoided, not just by Epic Games, but for any developer on the Apple App Store platform. Previously, Apple levied a whopping 30% fee… more

Just hours after an early leak via Twitter, Facebook and Ray-Ban have officially released their new wearable collaboration. As we surmised, based on the leaked packaging, the device is called Stories. • Don’t Miss: Facebook Ray-Ban Smartglasses Leak Reveals Fashionable Device with Cameras, Multiple Colors The smartglasses come in black, blue, and brown, with the option of outfitting the lenses with dark grey, polarized dark blue, brown, green, clear, and clear with a blue light filter. You can also order the smartglasses with prescription lenses. The frame styles come in Ray-Ban’s classic… more