Virtual reality headsets helping people pick glasses (lenses)
Optometrist Don Stack of Optical Rooms, said: “It is the first time a true simulation of what you will get prior to the glasses being made up here in Ireland. Out -doors in the sunlight we can simulate what your new prescription would look like, with various choices of tints, varying the degree of the tint, adding coatings and various styles of lenses.
See the full story here; http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/virtual-reality-headsets-helping-people-pick-glasses-413569.html
Regal Inks Deal With CJ 4DPLEX to Bring More Motion-Activated Seats to Its Theaters
Seoul-headquartered CJ 4DPLEX has signed a letter of intent with Regal Entertainment Group to bring CJ’s 4DX 4D cinema system to 17 new Regal screens in the U.S. by the end of 2018. Details of the agreement were not revealed.
CJ’s 4DX cinema system includes motion-activated seats and such effects as wind, fog, rain and scents.
Virgin Atlantic launches awesome immersive digital experience with Microsoft to enable customers to enjoy an Upper Class flight without leaving the ground.
In collaboration with Microsoft, Virgin Atlantic has created ‘Ida’, an Immersive Digital Adventure built using a Windows 10 universal app, featuring specially created content that takes the viewer on a virtual Upper Class journey.
See the full story here: https://vrarworld.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/how-does-virgin-atlantic-use-virtual-reality-to-immerse-its-customers
Useful nuts and bolts VR articles
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Online used car dealer Vroom leverages virtual reality to bring the showroom to you
[Philip Lelyveld comment: they are modeling the car, not 360 capturing them. So you won't see the details of a specific used car beyond what they program into the model.]
Online used car dealer Vroom wants to use virtual reality to put a smile on the face of car buyers while supporting their search for the perfect car.
The version launching today will cover 30 models of sports cars. By the end of the year, 300 models will be available for home inspection. While it’s true that over a million households now have access to VR headsets, Vroom will be opening popups at malls to let users who don’t have access to the expensive technology experience the virtual showroom.
From within the showroom, users can inspect vehicles and learn about models. Beyond cool features like hearing the exact corresponding engine sounds of each model, users can visualize important components including blind-spots review mirrors.
All vehicle models have been rendered from actual cars sold on Vroom. The company spends 48 hours going through cars to recondition them before sale.
Eventually Vroom plans to use 3D modeling to allow customers to visualize their cars in different colors with different packages. Individual automakers have used VR for some time, but Vroom believes their strongest asset is the ability to compare cars in one place.
See the full story here: https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/02/online-used-car-dealer-vroom-leverages-virtual-reality-to-bring-the-showroom-to-you/
AR tech is becoming a very familiar component in style and cosmetics applications.
With Pokemon Go encouraging millions of players around the world to “catch ‘em all,” augmented reality apps are now a familiar sight. However, as popular as that game app may be, it is among beauty brands that the mobile technology is seeing notable growth.
As beauty brands rely heavily on the ability to show consumers exactly what they’re getting, augmented reality apps have considerable appeal. Shoppers are already flocking to online and mobile websites for cosmetics, top beauty boxes, skin care and styling products. With augmented reality technology, shoppers can virtually try the products on themselves. They can consider the way a color looks with their complexion or test a new and innovative look. They can also schedule beauty services on-demand from the convenience of their smartphones.
See the full story here: http://www.qrcodepress.com/augmented-reality-apps-take-off-among-beauty-brands/8532422/
Virtual reality could usher the dawn of gender equity in tech
...a new study that found women are considered better developers but only if they hide their gender. “The researchers looked at approximately 3 million pull requests submitted on GitHub, and found that code written by women was approved at a higher rate (78.6 percent) than code written by men.” The study revealed there’s a huge gender bias. According to this data, women tend to be better developers than their male counterparts yet they still make up less than 25 percent of the technical workforce. What a fascinating scenario for companies to consider when reviewing talent acquisition and performance strategies and biases..
See the full story here: http://venturebeat.com/2016/08/01/virtual-reality-could-usher-the-dawn-of-gender-equity-in-tech/
Virtual reality ‘memory palaces’ platform smashes Kickstarter target
As reported in the News, Macunx VR is a platform for building memory palaces - a memory technique widely used in medieval times - in virtual reality. Its designers say it plays to the strengths of visual and spatial memories, and will make learning and remembering things easier than ever before.
The firm's campaign on Kickstarter saw 168 backers pledge a total of £11,868, which will be used to aid further development of the system. Rewards for investors are courses developed by Linguisticator, Macunx VR's parent company, and range from short memory course modules to custom-built memory palaces.
"The ultimate aim of the project is to change the way we learn large and complex subjects. Rather than watering subjects down to make them easier, we want to empower people to learn rigorous disciplines by unlocking the potential of their spatial minds."
Read more at http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/virtual-reality-memory-palaces-platform-smashes-kickstarter-target/story-29572186-detail/story.html#Wi7yhJgY7VMgampz.99
An Artist’s Augmented Reality App Reveals Virtual Art across Miami, and Incites Imagination
Depeña describes his app, called Lapse (2016), as a “decoder or magnifying glass that reveals hidden gems throughout the built environment.” It consists of six multimedia components scattered across Miami, from downtown to the Design District, and even the rail line in between. Through the lens of your smartphone camera and your GPS location, the app presents an entirely new experience of public—though not always visible—art.
For “The Sounds,” an audio-based component, he reached out to Brad Laner of alternative rock band Medicine. “I had this idea a while ago as I was driving through an area—what if we were able to use our GPS locations and actually build a sound composition at every stop light, for instance?” What resulted is a soundscape that changes based on where you are on the MetroMover, Miami’s above-ground public rail system.
See the full story here: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-this-augmented-reality-app-reveals-art-in-public-spaces