[Philip Lelyveld comment: this story was written by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and appears in a DC publication.]
The policy implications of this fast approaching reality deserve our attention. As the demand for mobile expands exponentially, so must the bandwidth and network capacity on which these connected devices depend. These new devices require high-bandwidth networks, and policymakers at both the federal and state level should embrace the coming revolution of 5G mobile and adopt policies that incent investment in high-speed wireless networks of the future and make it easier to deploy the network assets like small cells they require build out the infrastructure required for these networks – a strong step that must be complemented with an increased allocation of wireless spectrum, the invisible airwaves on which mobile technologies “run”.
Why is this important? Because the impact of a few actions could unintentionally halt the next evolution in technology. We – innovators, gamers and consumers - are best served if government considers how it can aid this rapid acceleration instead of discouraging with interference, red tape and drawn-out deliberations.
See the full story here: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/271829-ar-and-vr-moving-faster-than-even-the-smart-kids-guessed
[Philip Lelyveld comment: This is a good quick summary of Meta 2, Hololens, Sony SmartEyeGlasses, Epson Moverio BT-200 (why not the 300?!), and Laforge's Shima. I'd never heard of the Shima, which places images on the left and right sides rather than in your field of view. ]
See the full story here; http://www.cbronline.com/news/internet-of-things/wearables/the-world-through-augmented-reality-5-ar-headsets-what-they-do-and-how-much-they-cost-4831680
[Philip Lelyveld comment: this is what happens when AEG Digital Media mgmt. doesn't listen to its senior new media developer and he leaves...]
Bulldog DM the world's first digital live streaming agency announced today that it has made available an extensive portfolio of the world's leading music festivals and experiences. These rich cultural content experiences are available for brands to present and digitally broadcast to fans on any connected device and include major 3-day festivals, EDM festivals, country music, an indie tour and leading music venues.
Bulldog's festival partners include the Firefly Music Festival occurring June 16-19, at The Woodlands of Dover, DE with headliners Mumford and Sons, Kings of Leon, Florence + the Machine and Deadmau5; the 22nd year of the Vans Warped Tour - the leading and longest running independent music tour in the country and promoter Prime Social Group's entire festival line up that connects and resonates with millennials and students including this year's #Fest featuring Fetty Wap, the Chainsmokers and Big Gigantic in April.
See the full story here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bulldog-digital-media-announces-extensive-music-festival-live-streaming-representation-partnerships-300232160.html
The creators of GNOG are aware there’s something weird about it. It is a game about heads, and opening heads and going inside of heads, and then more heads, while wearing a headset. So, your head is going inside of heads, until your head is inside a head inside a head inside your head.
“I think it’s got this perfect symmetry, this irony to it,” said Saleem Dabbous of developer KO_OP. He told me they hope to fiddle with the elusive concept for their launch trailer.
Dabbous said the VR version—GNOG will be available for the PlayStation Morpheus—is the ideal way to play. Smooshing your face right into the void in which the game is set makes the presentation feel all the more like getting lost in a set of dollhouses, inching the game closer to the adventure mountain playthings that inspired the creators.
Making everything smaller and squishing your face right up against the weird space turns the GNOGs into the very toys they were inspired by. A more satisfying feeling of thumbing about the weird beast faces, searching for hidden switches and visual puzzles.
See the full story here: http://versions.killscreen.com/gnog-is-virtual-realitys-most-unabashedly-joyous-toy/
PPFA last year teamed up with Emblematic Group’s CEO Nonny de la Peña, who has been dubbed the “godmother of virtual reality,” as well as Brad Lichtenstein of 371 Productions and Custom Reality Services and Jeff and Kelli Fitzsimmons of Custom Reality Services, to produce an approximately five-minute virtual documentary that shows what one woman in particular, and many people generally, have experienced when visiting a reproductive health center.
The filmmakers have taken what they say is real documentary audio and video footage from abortion clinic protests and used virtual reality, 360-degree video technology, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring a patient’s experience to life. Jeff and Kelli Fitzsimmons told RH Reality Check at the screening that, as far as they know, Across the Line is the first “hybrid documentary” to blend all of these technologies and storytelling forms.
See the full story here: http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2016/03/07/filmmakers-use-virtual-reality-depict-abortion-clinic-protests/
In other words, a few years down the line, rather than watching Valve’s The International through an online stream, you could be watching it though your VR headset as through you were part of the actual crowd, looking up at the big screen and cheering on your side. Alternatively, you might want a truly, “in-game” experience and choose to step onto the map itself. You’ll wander up the mid lane to watch an early rune fight or shadow a carry player’s rotations around the map. But VR’s potential does not stop there
See the full story here: http://www.redbull.com/en/esports/stories/1331781171344/can-virtual-reality-transform-esports
Amazon is creating a new virtual reality platform, a job posting on employer evaluation site GlassDoor has indicated. The posting, spotted by UploadVR, calls for a senior software development manager for a new virtual reality team. The posting doesn't specify exactly what the successful candidate will be working on, but they will be responsible for "building the Virtual Reality experience within Amazon Video."
NETFLIX ALREADY HAS AN APP FOR SAMSUNG'S GEAR VR
The retail giant says that this will include "an ingestion and playback platform for Virtual Reality experiences" that could operate like its competitors' platforms — Netflix already has its own virtual reality app for Samsung's Gear VR headset, while Hulu is scheduled to put out its own VR app, and the content to watch on it, this spring.
See the full story here: http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/8/11177854/amazon-vr-platform-job-posting
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Ismael Sanogo #14 of the Seton Hall Pirates dunks the ball against the Providence Friars during a game at the Prudential Center on February 25, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference) *** Local Caption ***
Fox Sports and NextVR are teaming up to kick off March Madness in virtual reality. As part of the partnership between the sports broadcaster and virtual reality livestreaming company, the entire Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden will be livestreamed in VR.
NextVR will livestream four games on March 10, two games on March 11, and the championship on March 12, marking the first time an entire tournament will be captured for the growing virtual reality audience.
See the full story here: http://fortune.com/2016/03/07/fox-sports-to-stream-march-madness-in-virtual-reality/
ABC has launched its first scripted virtual reality experience to coincide with the much-anticipated midseason premiere of its hit drama ‘Quantico’, which aired on Sunday March 6th in the USA.
Scripted by show writers, and in partnership with Lexus, the experience enables fans to delve ‘in world’ with the show, assuming the role of a new recruit on a mission with FBI trainees Shelby Wyatt (Johanna Braddy) and Caleb Haas (Graham Rogers) as they track down and apprehend their assigned target. The experience is available at QuanticoVR.com, which includes instructions for accessing it on desktop and via Littlstar's app for headsets, mobile and Apple TV.
“Working in virtual reality opens up so many possibilities and ways to engage fans beyond what can be accomplished on a flat screen,” said Jeffrey Weinstock, vice president and creative director, ABC Integrated Marketing. “We’re literally inviting fans to be a character in the show, immersing them in this world and allowing them to explore and discover parts of the story on their own.”
The experience includes two Easter eggs that can be found while scanning the footage. The first unlocks bonus footage from the mid-season premiere. The second, which is visible in the headset, provides telling insight into one of the characters’ motives and connection to terrorist activities. The scene features the characters in a Lexus LX 570 flagship SUV. A “30 spot and a behind-the-scenes featurette are also available for users to view.
See the full story here: http://saatchi.com/en-us/news/team-one-abc-lexus-launch-networks-first-scripted-virtual-reality-experience-for-popular-drama-qu/
[Philip Lelyveld comment: from the video at the link, the new sound system looks like a neck harness. LG tried that form factor a few years ago. We'll see at the launch...]
Sony announced the launch of its Future Lab Program, a new research and development initiative “that emphasizes an open creative environment and direct lines of communication with society, through which it aims to co-create new lifestyles and user value in the future.” Sony’s program will share prototypes with the user community during development and welcome feedback to help refine projects. The first project — a hands-free interface that offers a new way to experience audio — will be featured in Austin at the SXSW Interactive Festival.
The UI prototype enables “the user to receive audio information without having to insert any object into his or her ear,” explains the press release. It will be one of a number of concept prototypes at Sony’s SXSW booth March 12-14.
See the full story here: http://www.etcentric.org/sonys-future-lab-rd-program-to-showcase-tech-at-sxsw/
