GlobalData: The metaverse faces an uphill challenge

The metaverse – a virtual realm promising shared experiences and real-time interactions within simulated scenarios – is encountering obstacles on its path to widespread adoption, according to a report by GlobalData.

GlobalData’s latest study, titled “Metaverse – Thematic Intelligence,” sheds light on the challenges hindering the metaverse’s growth.

Chief among these challenges are limited knowledge of the theme, underwhelmed consumers, project delays by...

2 November 2023 | Metaverse

Qualcomm sets launch window for its next-gen XR chip

Qualcomm has revealed its plans to launch its next-generation chip for XR (Extended Reality) devices in Q1 2024.

The revelation came from Qualcomm's GM & VP of XR, Hugo Swart, during an interview with Korean news outlet ETNews.

Qualcomm’s next-generation XR chip is expected to power upcoming mixed-reality devices, including Samsung's first mixed-reality headset.

This announcement follows Samsung's recent revelation during the Galaxy S23 smartphone launch...

1 November 2023 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

China wants metaverse users to have traceable IDs

In a bold move that has ignited discussions around the globe, China is considering the expansion of its real-world social credit system into the realm of virtual online worlds and metaverses.

The controversial proposal, titled "Digital Identity System," has been crafted by the state-owned telecom giant China Mobile and reviewed by experts—raising concerns among digital privacy advocates.

Under the proposed system, each individual using a virtual online platform or...

22 August 2023 | Metaverse

NVIDIA unveils Omniverse innovations to accelerate OpenUSD adoption

NVIDIA has unveiled a suite of innovations to accelerate the widespread adoption of OpenUSD through its Omniverse industrial metaverse platform.

OpenUSD, created by Pixar Animation Studios, is a cutting-edge 3D scene description technology designed to facilitate interoperability across various tools, data, and workflows.

Earlier this month, NVIDIA joined industry titans in creating the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) to standardise OpenUSD specifications and create a solid...

9 August 2023 | Digital Twin

UKAEA will develop a fusion energy plant in the metaverse

The industrial metaverse is set to revolutionise the development of the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s prototype fusion energy plant, STEP, located in Nottinghamshire.

The immersive and connected virtual environment will serve as the digital realm where engineers and scientists will collaborate to design and refine the plant's engineering blueprint.

In partnership with Dell Technologies, Intel, and the University of Cambridge, UKAEA aims to leverage the power of...

28 June 2023 | AI

Mark Gurman: Don’t expect a cheaper Vision Pro for several years

Apple's new Vision Pro mixed-reality headset has garnered positive attention, but its steep price has raised concerns about its potential sales.

Revealed at WWDC 2023, the Vision Pro marks Apple's entry into a new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. Priced at $3,500, the headset is more than three times the cost of Meta's Quest Pro, which retails for $999.

While Meta offers a more affordable option with the Quest 3 headset priced at $499, Apple is reportedly...

12 June 2023 | Applications

Oculus founder says the Apple headset ‘is so good’

Oculus founder Palmer Luckey has offered nothing but praise for Apple’s upcoming mixed-reality headset.

In a tweet, Luckey simply said: “The Apple headset is so good”

https://twitter.com/PalmerLuckey/status/1657828947877560323

Luckey did not expand further on what makes the Apple headset so good but said there’s high confidence within the company for its launch.

The comment is a stark contrast with earlier reports that a number of Apple employees...

15 May 2023 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Apple’s mixed-reality headset will use magnetic batteries

Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset will feature a unique magnetic port for attaching a battery pack.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the external battery pack will have a proprietary connector on one end that attaches to the headset itself. The magnetic connector will be round-tipped and will lock into the port by the user turning it.

Each battery pack will offer just two hours of battery life. The magnetic connection will enable users to quickly and securely...

24 April 2023 | Applications

Apple open-source code references ‘realityOS’

A reference to realityOS has been spotted in Apple’s open-source code.

RealityOS is the operating system that Apple is widely expected to use on its upcoming mixed-reality headset. However, it may end up being named xrOS (a reference to “extended reality”) when it reaches consumers’ faces.

This week, Apple posted various bits of code on GitHub with numerous references to realityOS:

https://twitter.com/aaronp613/status/1636096450097721344

Apple’s...

16 March 2023 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Apple’s AR/VR headset plan causes internal divisions

Internal divisions are reportedly arising at Apple over its much-anticipated AR/VR headset.

Apple CEO Tim Cook and COO Jeff Williams are said to be pushing to launch the headset as soon as possible, even if its design isn’t optimal.

Designers at Apple are said to have disagreed with their leadership and want to wait until it's feasible to launch a product that is lighter and less expensive. Current price estimates for the headset are between $2,000 and...

13 March 2023 | Consumer IoT & Wearables