September is here and new devices are just around the corner. Not only is Meta’s Connect event just around the corner, but Apple and Microsoft are also working towards establishing his XR productivity tools.
In the wake of the upcoming MR headsets and software, Google and Samsung have quickly reacted internally to develop competing devices with a clear lack of direction.
Additionally, just as these tech giants are developing a wide variety of hardware, the same XR companies are working to establish flexible use cases with their partners.
Latvia to host NATO 5G testbed for military XR
This week, the Allied Command Transformation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) signed an agreement with Latvia to provide member states with a new 5G testbed for emerging military-grade technologies, including XR solutions.
The Latvian Ministry of Defense has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NATO Allied Forces for military groups to use Latvia as a testing ground for national defense technologies.
The two organizations will test a new immersive defense platform at the Adazi military base in October to determine how the military alliance will procure, develop and deploy technology initiatives using 5G.
Following its successful creation in 2020, NATO’s newest military testbed will also launch an emerging technology platform for Europe’s first defense alliance, with the initiative outlined in Latvia’s Cybersecurity Strategy 2023-2026. Cybersecurity and technical requirements may also be achieved.
NATO also plans a digital transformation by 2030, providing military blocs with increased interoperability across multi-domain missions and their operations. It aims to leverage data-driven consultations to increase situational awareness and determine strategic measures.
The military aims to benefit from leveraging 5G to develop a “military metaverse” of emerging technologies, where testbed networks will reduce latency, boost wireless connectivity and enhance staff collaboration. Masu.
Google and Adobe Bring AR Experiences to Retail Stores
Rock Paper Reality (RPR) collaborated with Google and Adobe this week to enhance its cross-platform AR retail experience. Collaborators are working to accelerate commercial XR opportunities for face-to-face businesses, starting with Paper Tree, an origami shop in San Francisco.
RPR leverages Google’s Geospatial Creator and Adobe Aero to ensure location-based AR customer experiences. To help with your project, Google also provides the ARCore platform and Google Maps Platform photorealistic 3D tiles to power Geospatial Creator.
Patrick Johnson, CEO and Founder of Rock Paper Realitysaid:
For any brand, the potential to tell stories beyond traditional storefronts and pages and improve the way audiences discover and engage with their products in the digital realm is enormous. With the increasing use of immersive spaces and headsets, deploying an omnichannel 3D strategy is more important than ever, especially with younger generations where his 3D world has become the norm.
Linda Mihara, Paper Tree Manager and Co-Ownersaid the AR shopping experience offers an “unprecedented way to see origami.”
Mr. Mihara explained:
Viewers can get up close and see incredible details. Peace Sphere’s 3D animation literally brings origami to life and enhances the design.
Shoppers can access AR content using QR codes, giving organizers an opportunity to showcase the potential of retail-based XR services to consumers and potential customers.
Google AR Senior Product Manager Stevan Silva, He said Geospatial Creator makes it easy for brands and creators to “design augmented experiences based on location.”
Silva also described how “incredible” it was to see the changes in position through the use of Paper Tree’s AR and RPR, tools from Google and Adobe, and how AR retail use cases like Paper Tree could be. Express your creativity by sharing your crafts with people of all ages who describe it as “opening new possibilities for connecting their businesses.” “
Apple Vision Pro gets closer to reality
The price of the Apple Vision Pro shocked viewers when it debuted. However, Apple may be working on a cheaper microdisplay solution.
A report surfaced this week claiming that Apple was “testing advanced displays” from both companies, which could “potentially appear in future models” of the Vision Pro headset.
Sources say the non-Pro version of the Vision device, codenamed N109, could be a cheaper alternative to Apple’s $3,500 enterprise-grade headset.
According to global media, the headset is in the early stages of development and is expected to go on sale in early 2024.
What’s more, insiders say Apple’s upcoming MR headset is causing “major fears” internally at Google and Samsung, which are working together to design competing XR headsets.
According to sources close to Google and Samsung, Apple’s Vision Pro showcase helped the two partners to kick off research and development on an Android-powered XR headset prototype, Project: Moohan.
However, companies faced hurdles in developing potential products. Insiders said the deal led to Samsung taking over design decisions for product features, slowing down development.
The officials also added that companies “are prone to getting stuck in a situation where no one is driving.”
Additionally, Samsung delayed the launch of its upcoming headset earlier this month. Originally, Samsung planned to start producing its next immersive device in early 2024. However, Samsung had to delay its production plans by three to six months.
A person familiar with the situation said:
I heard that it was decided in consideration of the specifications of Apple’s competing product, the mixed reality (MR) headset “Vision Pro”.
Meanwhile, Apple released an internal developer’s comment on the location of the Lab, a hub that accelerates iOS development and learning in preparation for Vision Pro, which hits the market next year.
In a statement released, Apple emphasized: Michael Simmons, CEO of FlexiwitzThis was my first time working at Vision Pro Lab.
Simmons explained that the “proving ground” was “amazing.” I felt like I was part of the app. “
Simmons explained:
Bordered screens can have limitations. Of course you can scroll and use multiple monitors, but generally speaking you can only use the edges. Experiencing spatial computing not only validated the designs we had in mind, but also made us think not just left, right, up and down, but across national borders.
