Disney World’s new monorails might include augmented reality windows
He gives an example: When the monorail passes Spaceship Earth, the Epcot structure could be transformed into the Death Star from Star Wars with X-wing fighters flying around it. He also mentions that the technology would be able to recognize if it was a cloudy day and the augmented view would then include clouds.
See the full story here: https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/05/14/disney-worlds-new-monorails-might-include-augmented-reality-windows
VR’s next horizon: Retina displays right in front of your retinas
But the “Retina Display” concept is now only weeks away from taking a major step forward — because of screens that are being placed only an inch or two away from your actual retinas. Recent advances in technology are enabling screen makers to promise 1,000ppi and 2,000ppi displays for virtual reality headsets, and they should appear in public for the first time on May 22 at SID’s Display Week in Los Angeles.
If you can make the lens stronger while retaining clarity, you can make the screen smaller, which can reduce the size and weight of the VR headset as a whole.
That tradeoff — a bigger, clunkier VR headset or a smaller, lighter one — is why Sony’s joint venture Japan Display just disclosed that it created both 803ppi and 1001ppi screens for next-generation VR. It said explicitly that 1000ppi or greater screens, aided by new lenses, will be necessary to enable VR headsets to shrink.
Taiwan’s INT saysthat it’s developed an “ultra high pixel density” 2228ppi AMOLED for VR, but hasn’t provided any other specifications — the screen size, the refresh rate, colors, or overall resolution. And LG has co-developed a 4.3-inch, 18-megapixel 1443ppi OLED with Google for VR. All of these new screens will be shown off at Display Week. Apple has also been working on perfecting its own MicroLED screens, which could be used in future VR products.
So what does this all mean for VR?
Based on where screen technology is going, it’s safe to assume two major trends for VR over the next couple of years: Some headsets will just boast radically improved levels of detail, while others are going to get much sharper, smaller, and lighter at the same time. It’s fair to assume that companies will start trying to charge more for the smaller headsets, turning comfort into a “premium” feature, though realistically miniaturization rarely comes cheap.
The major limitation is going to be the pixel-pushing power of the computers connected to the headsets.
See the full story here: https://venturebeat.com/2018/05/13/vrs-next-horizon-retina-displays-right-in-front-of-your-retinas/
Google makes Ramadan on the Web easier
The Qibla Finder, an app launched last year that uses augmented reality on Android devices to identify the direction of the Qibla, will now be available even while offline. The update also allows Android users to add a shortcut to app on their home screen.
Qalam, Google's newest offering, is a browser app with which users can share greetings made from VR and calligraphy. Google worked with 9 world-renowned artists and calligraphists to create over 35 artworks which merge between virtual reality art and calligraphy.
"From augmented reality in Qibla Finder to virtual reality in Qalam, we brought Google's innovation to your fingertips this Ramadan," Jarrar added.
See the full story here: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ramadan-2017/ramadan-news/search-is-over-google-makes-ramadan-on-the-web-easier
China could beat America in AR/VR/XR long-term
See the full story here: http://www.digi-capital.com/news/2018/05/china-could-beat-america-in-ar-vr-xr-long-term/#.WvnuNi-ZOb8
Eye-tracking is a Game Changer for VR That Goes Far Beyond Foveated Rendering
Automatic IPD adjustment
Foviated rendering
Active input
Improved Avatar appearance
Data analytics and tracking
Varifocal displays
Will virtual reality become a political tool?
Stanford professor Fred Turner cites a 1922 statement from reporter Walter Lippmann, who noticed how photography was shaping public sentiment during World War I, and how that could be used to manipulate said public. Whoever publishes photographs that frame certain messages hold political persuasion over voters.
The distance between photographs and VR and Augmented Reality platforms is vast. Turner believes the persuasive power of devices like the Oculus Rift can alter the entire landscape of politics.
As the Oculus Rift and other devices come to market, we need to ask what it might mean to not simply see pictures in our heads, but to feel them, to live with and within them, moment by moment.
Social media was supposed to bring us closer together, and in some ways it has. But we don’t all play by the same rules. It’s easy to imagine a populist leader creating a virtual reality akin to North Korea. It’s also easy to foresee corporations building worlds in which only their products and services work.
See the full story here: http://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/will-virtual-reality-become-a-political-tool
Legoland Discovery Center in Somerville debuts virtual reality ride
(051318 Somerville, MA) Charlie Talbot,7, and his father Phil participate in a virtual reality attraction at Legoland Discovery Center in Somerville on Sunday,May 13, 2018. Staff Photo by Nancy Lane
The Somerville location is the first discovery center to get the new attraction, Botsch said. The virtual ride is adapted from a version in the full-sized Legoland theme parks that put VR headsets on roller-coaster riders.
Botsch said kids may be leaving the tactile world of Lego for a few minutes, but the hope is they will walk out inspired to be even more creative with what they build.
See the full story here: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/2018/05/legoland_discovery_center_in_somerville_debuts_virtual_reality_ride
Netflix Original ANON Shows How Powerful Augmented Reality Technology Can Be
Most recently, they’ve released a Netflix original movie called ANON which explores what society looks like dictated by augmented reality (AR).
Without giving too much away, the police in the future have the power and authority to see from your perspective. They can login to your memories and see exactly what you’ve seen. In addition, they are able to pull up any information in their surrounding area with a quick glance of the eyes.
Whether its an immobile object or a human, it provides digital information and descriptions to everything; similar to how the Google Glass was supposed to work. And instead of using any sort of HMD, the AR technology is physically engrained into your brain.
See the full story here: https://www.vrandfun.com/netflix-original-anon-shows-powerful-augmented-reality-technology-can/
The royal wedding augmented reality experience
To celebrate the joyous occasion of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal weddingon May 19, ABC News is bringing iconic symbols of Windsor Castle closer to your home with The Royal Wedding AR Experience – no invitation required.
Available only on the ABC News iOS App, you can take a photo with your very own 3D royal carriage or pose with a 3D queen’s guard.
See the full story here: https://abcnews.go.com/US/royal-wedding-augmented-reality-experience/story?id=55071238