AI supplants Metaverse, Web3, Bigscreen introduces stylish VR headset

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The Gartner Hype Cycle, used to describe the development trajectory of new technology.

Gartner group

What happened to the metaverse? The Financial Times asked for it yesterday. Indeed, the question could be asked about Crypto and Web3, all of which are moving down the “slope of disillusionment” on the Gartner Hype Cycle, on their way from the “peak of high expectations” to the “trough of disillusionment”. VR languished there until the Quest launched. Even the internet experienced this in 2000. The hype cycle is validated time and time again, though XR and Metaverse experts warn it will take a decade or more to fully manifest. Slaves to a powerful new technology, artificial intelligence, we inevitably forget the lessons of history. We’d like to think it’s different this time, but we always say it. I could be wrong, but we’re talking about humans now, not technology. I don’t think AI is going to change that, not yet.

Meme sighting.

Tom Fish

For the first time in months, there was no Meta schadenfreude this week. Everyone was talking about AI, and as Meta’s beatings continue, they’re back in the embrace of Wall Street tech analysts. Some are the same ones who screamed fire in 2022 when the smell of Meta numbers would scare them away. When you pull the strings you know how high and low the yoyo can go. It must be beautiful.

Bigscreen is launching a VR headset. The HMD connected to the PC is the smallest ever and has a resolution of 2.5K x 2.5K per eye. It has face tracking and external color cameras, you can even get a custom made face seal, but it uses Steam’s external tracking system. At $999, with no controllers, base stations or other accessories, this is expensive for consumers. On the other hand, for a Valve Index, Vive Pro, or Cosmos user looking for a more robust graphics experience in a better form factor, this may be an overdue update.

Anima unveils AI-powered Onlybots augmented reality Onlybots pets can now talk to their owners and each other, as a result of the company’s integration with OpenAI’s artificial intelligence systems and the development of thematic changing personalities in time. Onlybots are limited-edition NFTs right now, but the company says they’ll soon be replaced by more affordable versions. The company’s funding came from HashKey, Not Boring Capital, Polygon Studios and NGC Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Flamingo and Divergence Ventures.

Anything World, is releasing a fully rigged insect and crustacean 3D model collection. The new 3D and AI-based model expands the possibilities for users, designers and creatives. The templates are available in the company’s recently launched Web Gallery and Unity store. The London-based company announced it raised $7.5 million in November 2022, bringing total funding to $9.3 million.

Snap adds ray tracing to Lens Studio. Ray Tracing, a technical feature that enhances the realism of augmented reality experiences by reflecting light off digital objects, is now available in Snap Lens Studio, the company’s creation tool for amateurs and professionals. Now, lenses that feature AR diamond jewelry, clothing, and more can achieve ultra-realistic quality.

Frame, the browser-based and device-independent education and training platform, just launched a boatload of new features, including analytics, a new API, experimental full-body avatars, new graphics features, and a redesigned user interface. Frame is a subsidiary of Virbela, the hugely successful 3D social network for business. Virbela launched Frame as a pilot project in 2020 to address business communication needs without the burden of the Virbela app.

Spatial launch of new tools for creators.

Space

Spatial offers a new home to virtual worlds at the Internet’s preferred price. With Microsoft shutting down Altspace, there are fewer free hosting options for Metaverse builders, and Spatial continues to add features to appeal to them. Within a year of its initial pivot to become the metaverse for culture and creators, 1.1 million spaces, 3D virtual worlds have been created.

A rendering of the Orlando Digital Twin in use at the Orlando Marketing Center at the new Orlando… [+] Economic Partnership Offices.

City of Orlando

Orlando is the only city we know of that has its own massive digital twin (unless you count Google maps as a digital twin). To attract more tech companies, workers and investors to Orlando, the mayor said there are 2,500 open positions to build Metaverse in the Orlando MetaCenter. The city is already a major center for simulation and education.

Sony’s new Playstation VR2 4K with updated controllers.

sony

Sony’s PSVR 2 is a great upgrade, but not a must-have, says Axios’ Stephen Totilo. The bottom line: PSVR 2 is very good, if you don’t mind the price, thread, and understand the tradeoffs inherent in immersive VR gaming.

This Week in XR is also a podcast hosted by the author of this column, Professor Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, futurist, Paramount Global and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap. This week our guest is Alex Herrity, developer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Anima, who just released Onlybots, an AI-enabled AR pet. We can be found on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube.

What are we reading

Why you should use new generative AI in your metaverse business. Or maybe not (Tony Vitillo/Skarred Ghost Blog)

Crushing for Apple

Apple Headphones Will Be ‘Macintosh Moment,’ Says Former Apple XR Manager (Tomislav Bezmalinovic/Mixed)

Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset Reportedly Debuting at WWDC in June (Jon Fingas/Engadget)

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