22 Augmented Reality Trends to Keep an Eye on for 2022
PhilNote: Tom Emrich has created another excellent list of trends to watch.
#11 More capture stages, advancements in software, and solutions aimed at the mainstream set volumetric video up for its best year yet
#16 AR experiences anchored in space incentivize users to safely return to parks, stadiums, malls, museums and more
Ethics & Human Impact
#22 As AR gets more contextual concerns around privacy and safety become an even greater priority to address
See the long article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/22-augmented-reality-trends-keep-eye-2022-tom-emrich/?trk=eml-email_series_follow_newsletter_01-hero-1-title_link&midToken=AQG9gi1ZLqruRw&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=2X2FQeYwvn5G81
Forget Meta’s Sleek Virtual Reality. Maybe The Metaverse Is Fun, Friendly, 8-Bit — And Already Here
Welcome to Gather Town, the $700 million low-res online universe spreading like wildfire across Silicon Valley, college campuses and, soon, a workplace near you.
When Phillip Wang was pitching Gather, his six-month-old startup, to VCs in late 2020, he would invite them up to the rooftop above his office. The space is a sweet spot to discuss a deal, illuminated by the neon green lights of a sprawling city framed by clouds in pink and orange hues. Best of all, he could brag to potential investors about the price. For a company Gather’s size—25 employees at the time—it ran just $175 a month to rent the entire building. That’s because the office is virtual, existing entirely inside the app the company created. These days, with new coronavirus variants delaying many employees’ return to physical spaces, 100,000 people make their daily commute by logging onto Gather’s website. More than 15 million people have used it at least once—many for virtual conferences but also for birthday parties, rock concerts and weddings.
“A lot of people think about the metaverse as sci-fi, like it’s five to seven years away,” says Wang, whose words come tumbling out at triple speed. “They imagine these dystopian worlds owned by large tech companies.”
To the spiky-haired 23-year-old CEO, the metaverse is already here, and it’s rather friendly and welcoming. Instead of a sleek alternate reality, Gather’s virtual world is decidedly low-res, evoking the nostalgic feel of a 20-year-old Pokémon video game. Users move their 2D avatars around with the arrow keys on their keyboard, panning into and out of video chat conversations as they stroll past other folks. Whether it’s simply a more interactive Zoom or a cornerstone of our collective future, Gather has the attention of Silicon Valley. Founded by four recent grads (all still 26 or younger) at the onset of the pandemic, the startup has rapidly grown to 75 employees and is backed by top-tier venture capitalists who have invested $77 million, most recently in November at a $700 million valuation. Gather declined to disclose revenue, but Forbes estimates it booked more than $10 million last year, its first full year of operation. ...
They released the first version in May 2020. It spread quickly across colleges. A University of Chicago professor and students recreated their school so that people could study together or meet up around campus; members of the physics faculty were soon discovered playing poker in a lounge. Silicon Valley leaders were quick to notice. ...
See the full story here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrickcai/2022/02/02/the-future-is-low-res/?sh=45ba0ed24444
Pentagon names acting chief digital and AI officer as it moves toward full capability
DoD Chief Information Officer John Sherman will serve as the acting chief digital and artificial intelligence officer, or CDAO, a newly created office designed to oversee the Defense Digital Service, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and the CIO office he was already leading. The new office was established to better align a number of data, analytics, digital solutions and AI efforts across the DoD. Previously, all three of those offices reported directly to the deputy defense secretary. ...
“In addition to getting CDAO up and ready for [full operational capability], rest assured we’ll remain laser focused on our CIO duties of cybersecurity, digital modernization, C3 [command, control and communication], and other areas that the department relies on.” ...
See the full story here: https://www.c4isrnet.com/artificial-intelligence/2022/02/02/pentagon-names-acting-chief-digital-and-ai-officer-as-it-moves-toward-full-capability/
Damien Hirst’s NFT Initiative, Which Asks Buyers to Choose Between a Digital Token and IRL Art, Has Already Generated $25 Million
PhilNote: The state of the art market - the artwork is just the platform for the performance art of the deal.
"One recent sale, for the work A Way of Life, was originally listed 10 days ago on the secondary market by its owner, who goes by @Quality, for 18.88 Ethereum (over $60,800). Finding no takers, it was re-listed a day later for 8.8 Ethereum (or $28,500). At that price it was sold 8 days ago for 8.49 Ethereum ($27,200) to @syzygyfinance, which re-listed A Way of Life just two days later for 14.8 Ethereum (or $47,800).
Today @syzygyfinance adjusted its asking price down to 9.75 Ethereum ($31,300). It sold at that price to @liquiddyor, meaning @syzygyfinance realized about $4,000 in profit on the flip."
See the full story here: https://news.artnet.com/market/damien-hirst-nft-update-2002582
Entertainment center or intellectual incubator? Arena STEM attempts both at Garden State Plaza
...Just opened at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J., is Arena STEM, an education, entertainment, and retail center whose goal is to expose children to technology in fun and interactive ways. The center contains a Virtual Reality Pavilion, a DJI Robomaster Battlefield, a Drift Track, and a Drone Field and Aqua Zone.
Arena STEM offers individual instructions and classes, does birthday parties, and hosts private events accommodating up to 100 guests. ...
"It’s a fun destination that utilizes STEM principles and fosters critical thinking and innovation," said Arena STEM CEO Sergei Manevich. ...
See the full story here: https://www.chainstoreage.com/entertainment-center-or-intellectual-incubator-arena-stem-attempts-both-garden-state-plaza
