VR isn’t a content business yet, but Hollywood is looking for a way in
Even at this stage, a few things seem clear:
LA is the center of the world for the new VR content ecosystem. While much of VR’s tech and software are in the Bay Area, content comes from LA. More than ever, LA is ground zero for the new VR content ecosystem. Last year, it was small studios, writers, and filmmakers seeking to learn how to tell VR stories and gear up for VR. This year, Academy Award winning editors, writers, and major league producers are speaking to their plans to create immersive features for the new medium. Major studios are staffing up, too, creating divisions for “What’s Next” and are setting up alongside LA upstarts like Jaunt VR. They want to avoid ceding too much territory to the upstarts as the new medium develops.
The asset supply chain is not a sexy frontline topic for studios, but eventually studios need to position and prep their assets for the VR and 3D future. This is an investment consideration they will balance against revenue potential and long-term strategy. In 50 years, a studio’s digital catalog will likely look extremely different from today. Whether films are delivered via a mixed reality platform or theaters will still exist, all of the majors will need to prepare for new delivery channels for their assets; VR and 3D objects are just two considerations. Any major studio is unquestionably looking at future investment for its assets.
See the full story here: https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/06/vr-isnt-a-content-business-yet-but-hollywood-is-looking-for-a-way-in/
It’s time to stop doubting virtual reality
A growing comprehension of the psychology of virtual reality, or how we can fool the human brain into believing that the virtual is actually the real, combined with technical acumen has finally produced a healthy slate of games for VR. Burgeoning mastery of the VR space has made critical successes like Fantastic Contraption (from Northway Games), Job Simulator (from Owlchemy Labs), and Raw Data (from Servios) possible.
These are the games from which VR developers can learn best practices. The fate of virtual reality depends on how quickly developers can learn and apply those lessons, and continue to release software compelling enough to warrant early adoption of the technology. Taken collectively, the VR-related panels at GDC 2017 suggest that developers are on the case, and the future of VR feels less nebulous as a result.
See the full post here: https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/07/its-time-to-stop-doubting-virtual-reality/
Snapchat’s future Spectacles will have augmented reality, patent reveals
...a patent published Thursday reveals an augmented future for Spectacles and other wearables and gadgets made by Snap Inc., the camera company.
Snap Inc., in this patent, also reveals that the future of gadgets from the company isn't just glasses. Future products could include "glasses, visors, watches, or other network enabled items," the patent reads.
Another sentence reads: "an augmented reality helmet, an augmented reality visor, glasses, and an augmented reality glasses attachment."
See the full story here: http://mashable.com/2017/05/04/snapchat-spectacles-augmented-reality/#IIYZD2A23PqX
How The Coachella Music Festival Embraced Virtual Reality (Vantage.TV)
“Live-action video will translate better for remote audiences than a fully virtual music festival,” says Juan, CEO of vantage.tv, who produces the 360 livestream. “This year we improved the 360 live streaming experience to allow users to easily toggle between 2D video and VR.” Juan’s team had Nokia OZO cameras set-up at both the Coachella Main Stage and Outdoor Stage. The cameras brought viewers on-stage with their favorite performers in VR.
see the full story here: https://uploadvr.com/coachella-embraced-virtual-reality/
Digital customization: Canadian tailor Surmesur threads suits with latest technology
Made-to-measure tailoring is being threaded with augmented reality technology, ...
Clients can choose from 8,000 kinds of fabric and create their own shirt, from collar to cuff, and examine how the elements come together in an interactive setting — rotating 360 degrees to see different angles and zooming in on details.
Prices start at $60 for a shirt and $375 for a suit. Measurements and tailoring are done on site.
The brothers developed the company in their basement. The first shop opened in Quebec City in 2010. Now the company has 14 locations, of which 12 are in Canada — Pittsburgh was the first in the U.S., followed by Chicago — and boasts 100 employees.
See the full story here: http://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2017/05/04/Surmesur-tailor-augmented-reality-clothing-fitting/stories/201705040045
‘North Korea VR’ is an extraordinary glimpse of the world’s most oppressive country
"Until now it wasn't possible to change camera position, it was up to the director. We're giving a chance for people to walk around and explore at their own pace."
From the top of the Juche Tower in Pyongyang, you can freely roam around Mansu Hill, where 22-metre-tall statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il dominate the city, or watch people commuting or kids rollerblading in Kim Il-sung Square, which is usually covered by crowds or military parades.
The transition between one place or the other is made by looking at blue dots that appear on the screen.
Filming in Pyongyang with the equipment — six GoPro cameras lashed to a pole — was surprisingly easy, according to Olsson.
"I didn't have the same restrictions as tourists or journalists because I was there to give a speech and educate North Koreans about the startup mindset," he said.
See the full story here: http://mashable.com/2017/05/04/north-korea-vr-pyongyang/#mmq9kNCNJ5q7
Y&R’s Augmented Reality App Creates Virtual Statues of Women in Public Spaces
Commemorating women's achievements by giving them more equal status in public places is an idea gaining increasing traction in 2017. As well as the huge attention that McCann's Fearless Girl has received, campaigns such as BBDO's "Put Her on the Map" have aimed to inspire young girls and make up for the lack of role models in public areas.
Now, Y&R New York has come up with its own idea around a similar theme; an app that uses augmented reality to add virtual statues of women. The Whole Story, which is free from the Apple App Store and on Google Play, enables users to see, share and add new virtual statues alongside existing public statues. Users can locate and view statues via markers on a map and and share the images on social media.
Abigail Adams, Nina Simone, Marie Curie and Amelia Earhart are just some of the women commemorated so far, and as this video shows, Tina Brown placed the first virtual statue in Dante Park. Statues have been added so far in Washington, DC, at Mount Rushmore, and in London, Prague, Milan and Rome.
See the full story here: http://creativity-online.com/work/yr-new-york-the-whole-story-project/51687