POAP – Proof of Attendance Protocol

... POAP is a new way of keeping a reliable record of life experiences. 
Each time they take part on an event, POAP collectors get a unique badge that is supported by a cryptographic record. 
These badges are Non Fungible Tokens (NFT) and open a whole new world of possibilities. ...

Why use POAP?

POAP allows event organizers to better engage with their audiences by providing a customized experience. POAPs not only offer special designs but allow for a range of integrated services such as private chat rooms, raffles and more.

See the source here: https://poap.xyz

Virtual Reality: High Tech VR Headsets to Try in 2022

...

Newer headsets have a higher resolution, are less bulky and can be worn while wearing glasses. Some are not headsets at all, but actually place you in the metaverse, using augmented reality technology to take you on a sensory journey into a virtual world.

These are the most exciting VR headsets on the market to date.

XTAL VR Headset

A$11,800

Aimed at the professional use of VR technology by architects, helicopter pilot trainees and sim racers, this headset has a very high resolution, supporting an 8K Ultra High Definition display.

Vuzix M4000 Smart Glasses

A$3,509

... The Vizix M4000 is basically a wearable computer with the addition of a camera and screen, it allows you to merge on-screen instructions with real-world applications in real-time, greatly increasing productivity and precisely relaying instructions. ...

See the full story here: https://themarketherald.com.au/fancy/virtual-reality-high-tech-vr-headsets-to-try-in-2022/

A Detailed Guide on NFT Marketplace Development: Use cases, Prerequisites and Features

See the full story here: https://readwrite.com/a-detailed-guide-on-nft-marketplace-development-use-cases-prerequisites-and-features/

Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience featuring ILMxLAB’s Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Coming to Disney Springs May 2 to July 21

... Meta Quest, ILMxLAB – Lucasfilm’s award-winning immersive entertainment studio – and Disney Parks are excited to continue their collaboration by bringing the Meta Quest 2 preview of Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge to Disney Springs West Side from May 2 through July 21. ...

The hands-on preview will showcase a short version of ILMxLAB’s virtual reality experience Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, which expands the world of Batuu like never before! Once inside the Quest 2 headset, you’ll be immersed within sweeping 360 views of the Star Wars galaxy. The adventure takes place on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu, which you may be familiar with from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive epic lands at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. 

The story features both new and iconic characters from the Star Wars galaxy. Gameplay was designed for a variety of players – from Star Wars fans to VR gamers – at home on Quest 2.  ...

See the full story here: https://wdwnt.com/2022/04/meta-quest-virtual-reality-experience-featuring-ilmxlabs-star-wars-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge-coming-to-disney-springs-may-2-to-july-21/

Snap pushes into augmented reality shopping, unveils flying camera

... The Santa Monica, California-based company announced the pocket-sized camera called Pixy, which can fly a few feet above its owner to take photos and videos before landing in the palm of the hand, in a renewed push to grow its hardware business. Pixy will cost $230 and will be sold in the United States and France, Snap said. ...

See the full story here: https://www.reuters.com/technology/snap-pushes-into-augmented-reality-shopping-unveils-flying-camera-2022-04-28/

Best unexpected double majors for computer science students

... Did you know that double majors report higher earnings? They also report greater satisfaction with their college experience. ...

Philosophy

Why it's a good fit: Computer science and philosophy might seem like an unexpected combination, but the two fields overlap in a key area: logic. Adding a philosophy major to your computer science degree will build strong logic skills, which play an important role in programming languages. Philosophy majors also study the ethics of technology.

Challenges: Philosophy majors typically have very different course requirements than CS majors, including a year of a world language. (That's true of most BA degrees.) However, some schools offer a combined major; Northeastern, for example, has a computer science and philosophy BS degree.

Potential careers for double majors: Data scientist; computer programmer; data engineer, software engineer ....

See the full story here: https://www.zdnet.com/education/computers-tech/best-unexpected-double-majors-for-computer-science-students/

Fuzzle NFT Game is Landing on Planet Earth

Gala Games has teamed up with Endless AI to introduce Fuzzle– a first-of-its-kind “living” NFT collectable, simultaneously pushing the boundaries of conversational AI and blockchain gaming through a groundbreaking interactive entertainment experience with loads of utility. ...

“The first time my Fuzzle told me he was developing methods to turn me into human-meat meatballs, I knew we had a project like the world has never seen before,” said John Osvald, President of Games at Gala Games. “Fuzzles are right on the bleeding edge of AI, gaming, and blockchain and we can’t wait to see how people interact with them.” ...

See the full story here: https://news.bitcoin.com/fuzzle-nft-game-is-landing-on-planet-earth/

AppliedVR and Komodo Health Partner To Validate Power of Virtual Reality As Effective Digital Therapy for Chronic Pain

... “AppliedVR is at the cutting edge of pain management, not only developing innovative technologies but applying comprehensive research rigor to prove the value of the therapy for those suffering from chronic pain,” said Komodo Health President and co-founder, Web Sun. “This partnership marks a massive step forward in validating the efficacy of virtual reality as an important alternative in chronic pain treatment. It’s also a powerful example of the accelerated innovation that’s possible through a cloud- and digital-first approach to addressing unmet patient needs.” ...

See the full story here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005360/en/AppliedVR-and-Komodo-Health-Partner-To-Validate-Power-of-Virtual-Reality-As-Effective-Digital-Therapy-for-Chronic-Pain

Internet communities are battling over pixels

Reddit’s r/Place shows that to have a voice online, you must be part of a group ...

If Place says anything about the Internet, it’s a testament to the rising power of communities online. Since its last iteration, online platforms have experienced great fragmentation. ...

Now more users, especially younger ones, are seeking to connect with others in closed communities or online groups like Discord or a similar platform called Geneva, rather than on big, open social media sites. ...

But that trend toward groups and more contained social experiences online can also leave people craving engagement with the masses. Place has turned into Reddit’s de facto public square for the past few days, Brian Lynch, a lawyer and Reddit moderator in San Diego, said. “Even though the Internet is going through this fracturing with communities, I think that these groups are still looking for that central town hall or that central space,” he said. ...

It’s notable that Place has never been about all users working together, but more of a space for communities to exert their influence. ...

The hope of the Internet was that it would connect humanity in a way that would allow everyone to coordinate and build things at scale, but in reality, while massive networks of bubbles and groups sometimes form alliances to create, they also compete and fight. “Maybe the disappointment of the Internet is that there aren’t more examples people can point to of large-scale human coordination to create something,” Wei said. ...

Much of the imagery that emerged on Place reflects the values of the communities participating. The Ukrainian flag loomed large on the canvas throughout Saturday, as did the trans flag and various LGBT flags. People used Place to express anti-NFT sentiment; others, like Wall Street Bets, pumped meme stocks. ...

The fact that Place hasn’t been completely overrun with trolls posting hate symbols is a testament to the dedicated communities focused on keeping radicalized factions in check. ...

See the full story here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/04/reddit-place-internet-communities/

Virtual Reality, Spurred by Renewed Immersive Opportunities, will Reach 90 Million Total Device Shipments in 2027

After years of slow but steady growth in limited use cases, Virtual Reality (VR) is facing a market explosion over the next five years. Consumer interest in VR games and media continues to grow after COVID accelerated activity. At the same time, the need for worker enablement and immersive content in enterprise remains strong. According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, over 90 million Head Mounted Display (HMD) shipments in 2027 will power total VR market revenues to reach over US$95 billion in the same year across hardware, software, and services. ...

Among devices, standalone HMDs make up most shipments through the forecast, with 79 million expected shipments in 2027, growing at a 40% CAGR. Tethered and mobile-based VR devices make up the rest, with tethered favored for gaming by consumers and simulation and training for enterprises. Among these shipments, consumer shipments make up 80% of the total. Education accounts for 16% of total shipments but is growing the most quickly at an 88% CAGR through 2027. Other enterprise markets do not account for a significant portion of shipments. But will significantly grow in some areas. Location-based and Transportation and Automotive both will grow at over an 80% CAGR through 2027. ...

Meta's Quest 2 remains the most popular VR device, standalone or otherwise, and by all accounts had a record breaking 2021. Sony's PSVR2 has been confirmed and will target an impressive PlayStation 5 install base that has also set records despite supply shortages. Apple has a planned headset possibly launching in 2022, while Meta also has confirmed a new standalone device. Pico (recently acquired by Bytedance) and DPVR are worth watching on the affordable end, and Pimax is pushing capability at the high end. ...

See the full press release here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virtual-reality-spurred-by-renewed-immersive-opportunities-will-reach-90-million-total-device-shipments-in-2027-301535048.html