Hands up who remembers Palmer Luckey? The Hawaiian-shirted entrepreneur and founder of Oculus VR who once made a VR headset that would literally kill you if you died in a game was the poster boy of the early re-arrival of VR around 2013.

Luckey launched the Oculus Rift after a successful spell of selling Oculus Dev kits to people like me who were early adopters of the tech and wanted in at stage one.

As the Rift came out companies sprang up with VR gear to enhance your virtual reality experience. Back in the day, all those years ago I remember a company called Virtuix announcing on Kickstarter the Omni. A VR treadmill that allowed you to walk 360 degrees in any direction inside your VR game without crashing into the couch or knocking the houseplants over.

Now, in 2024 it is ready to ship within the next few months and has today announced a 35-title game library that will be playable at launch. Time flies when you are having fun.

Omni One’s launch lineup includes top VR games like Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord,  Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, Hubris, and Breachers. Each game has been adapted for movement on Omni One through close collaboration with the game’s developers.

Virtuix CEO Jan Goetgeluk expressed his excitement about Omni One’s upcoming launch, stating,  “The high caliber of our launch games showcases how Omni One will take virtual reality to the next level. We are proud to partner with so many award-winning studios and offer our users an  exceptional selection of games that will redefine their gaming experiences.”

So what is the Omni One?

Well, what it is is definitely something that my wife is not going to let me have in the corner of our lounge that’s what. The 360-degree treadmill allows you to travel more naturally in your VR games, not having to rely on hacky teleporting mechanisms or movement systems that can add to VR sickness.

The unit costs $2,595 and comes with its own PICO VR headset. It can be used with existing VR hear you have, although, here’s the kicker, not the Meta Quest, probably the world’s best-selling VR headset right now – at least in its unlinked format. There is no option to purchase the Omni without the headset, which is a shame, but Virtuix wants to make the experience as seamless as possible for users who are laying out such a large amount of cash.

Pre-orders for the unit will be fulfilled during Q2 with the Omni One finally making general release by the end of Q2, marking the conclusion of a remarkable journey to market.

Complete Game Lineup for Omni One Launch: 

• 1. AFFECTED: The Manor 
• 2. Ancient Dungeon 
• 3. ARK and ADE 
• 4. Breachers
• 5. Craft Wars 
• 6. Crimen – Mercenary Tales 
• 7. Compound 
• 8. David Slade Mysteries: Case Files 
• 9. Dead of the Sea 
• 10. Dead Zone 
• 11. Death Horizon: Reloaded 
• 12. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time 
• 13. Darksword: Battle Eternity 
• 14. DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate 
• 15. Elite Force 
• 16. Eolia 
• 17. First Steps 
• 18. Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord 
• 19. Hubris 
• 20. Hunt Together 
• 21. Hyperblast
• 22. In Death: Unchained 2
• 23. Ionia 
• 24. Journey To Foundation 
• 25. Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom 
• 26. Primal Hunt 
• 27. RUINSMAGUS 
• 28. The Exorcist: Legion VR 
• 29. The Jade Cipher 
• 30. The Patcher 
• 31. The Secret Pyramid 
• 32. The Twilight Zone VR 
• 33. Titanic: A Space Between 
• 34. TOTALLY BASEBALL! 
• 35. Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate 

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Luxury airline Beond has announced it will offer Apple Vision Pro headsets to select passengers on flights to the Maldives by mid-2024.

Passengers will be able to take advantage of “unrivaled onboard content, coupled with immersive experiences showcasing the best of the Maldives,” according to a press release.

The airline plans to provide its customers with a unique level of in-flight experience and entertainment, including showcasing “stunning resort destinations and activities in the Maldives,” as well as its existing library of games and movies.

Beond’s Chairman and CEO, Tero Taskila, said: “The Apple Vision Pro will transform the inflight entertainment experience, and we will be first to offer it to select passengers.

“We are working now with partners in the Maldives to prepare truly amazing footage. The inflight experience will build anticipation for passengers before they arrive in the Maldives.

“Offering the Apple Vision Pro is another step in our vision of delivering a premium travel experience to our customers, from the start to finish of their journey.

“We’re proud to be the first airline to deploy the technology.”

Beond launched commercial passenger services in 2023, debuting routes from Munich, Zurich, and Riyadh to Male, Maldives. It has announced plans to offer flights from Milan, Dubai, and Bangkok to the Maldives by the middle of 2024.

What is Apple Vision Pro?

Apple’s Vision Pro hit stores in the US in early February, with the tech California-based tech giant claiming the headset “seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences.”

It is the company’s first entry into the VR space. At the same time, the headset can also act as an add-on to a user’s everyday experience using other Apple products, as it syncs with the likes of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Macbook to create an all-around interactive Apple experience.

However, it doesn’t come cheap. Only currently available in the US, the Vision Pro is available to purchase for $3,499, with prescription lenses costing an additional $149 and reading lenses going for $99.

Featured Image: Apple

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Meta reportedly plans to showcase and demo its first true augmented reality glasses at its fall developer conference this year.

According to Business Insider, several anonymous sources claimed that the AR team is being pushed to have the high-tech glasses showcased during Meta’s annual Connect conference for third-party developers. 

Internally known as “Orion,” these glasses are different from the recently introduced Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses and the Meta Quest headsets. For one, the glasses do not feature AR properties, while the headsets are mainly used for VR gaming and mixed-reality experiences.

However, the Orion project, managed by Meta’s Reality Labs division responsible for AR, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and all metaverse-related initiatives, has already been in development for several years.

Originally known as Oculus VR, Reality Labs is a division of Meta Platforms specializing in creating virtual reality and augmented reality hardware and software. This includes producing the Quest headsets and developing online platforms like Horizon Worlds. Earlier this month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a picture on Threads showing supposed prototypes of the glasses on his desk. 

Business Insider reported that a source told them that at least the two glasses frames pictured — were much thicker than the available Meta smart glasses.

Quite a few glasses prototypes on Mark Zuckerberg's desk.

Could some of these have AR, or at least a HUD? pic.twitter.com/YPKtdDV25s

— David Heaney ᯅ (@Heaney555) February 5, 2024

In 2023, Meta announced the roadmap ahead of its plans to release the AR glasses in 2027. Before then, we may see a third generation of Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2025 that come with a “neural interface band” as an input device.

Other AR glasses are being developed

Samsung has also joined the market, as the company recently secured a UK trademark for the term “Samsung Glasses,” covering product categories like augmented reality headsets, smart glasses, and virtual reality headsets. 

Meanwhile, Apple’s first headset, the Vision Pro, has had a slow uptake after it was released earlier this year. At an entry point of $3,499, the new device could become a niche product that will present its challenges. Research found Vision Pro costs considerably more to manufacture than the retail price of many other similar wearables.

Featured image: Canva

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Concerns over the viability and challenges ahead for Apple to establish its Vision Pro headset have been highlighted by research claiming each device costs a whopping $1,500 to manufacture.

As reported by Omdia, the findings indicate the flagship Apple product is more expensive to make, compared to the retail price of most consumer-grade virtual reality headsets.

The cost factor is an obvious issue and because of it, the Vision Pro will not be for everyone. At an entry point of $3,499, the new device could become a niche product that will not penetrate the mainstream market. Apple will need to ensure it is capable of selling enough units, but one option will be to release a cheaper model.

Why does Apple Vision Pro cost so much to produce?

The Omdia research found Vision Pro costs considerably more to manufacture than the retail price of many other similar wearables.

In addition to the hefty price tag, consumers could be hesitant to put their faith in a product that is marketed as something different to what is already out there. Despite the comparisons to similar headsets, the Apple device is not marketed as a Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality headset. Instead, it has been labeled as mixed reality or termed as a ‘spatial computer’.

David Hsieh, senior research director at Omdia, uncovered the specs with some startling revelations. He found Vision Pro’s primary displays (inside) cost $456 – nearly as much as the retail price of Sony’s PS VR2. Then there is the secondary screen (the one that makes your eyes visible to the outside world), pushing costs up to $526 just for displays, taking production costs above both the PS VR2 and Meta’s Quest 3 which has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $499.

The next most expensive components for the Vision Pro are its onboard processors.

Its main M2 chip, the same as the one utilized in recent MacBooks, is tasked with running visionOS, apps, and graphics. This is supplemented by the R1 secondary chip, largely responsible for managing data processed by external cameras, sensors and microphones. The combined chip components add up to a cost of around £240 per unit.

Omdia estimates all materials, including every component, required for the manufacture of the Vision Pro racks up a total cost of $1,542 – more than three times the MSRP of the PS VR2 and Quest 3.

It appears almost essential for Apple to drive down the price of any second-generation Vision Pro headset whilst carefully considering any trade-offs in quality or performance.

Image: Apple

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It looks as though 2024 will be the year that we will get to use the PSVR2 with our mighty PC gaming rigs as a blog on the PlayStation site from Sony states that they are working on compatibility for the previously console-only headset.

The post reads, “We’re pleased to share that we are currently testing the ability for PSVR2 players to access additional games on PC to offer even more game variety in addition to the PS VR2 titles available through PS5. We hope to make this support available in 2024, so stay tuned for more updates.”

The previous versions of the headset was modded to work on the PC but it was all cloak-and-dagger unofficial stuff, so the prospect of official support for the PSVR2 is very welcome indeed, and would mean the Quest 3 has some competition as the affordable option for PC VR.

The line from Sony is a bit throwaway at this stage – “access additional games” does not clearly state that it will be compatible with say, SteamVR, but it is hard to imagine that it will only work with certain titles if PC compatibility can be brought to the table.

The PSVR2 was smashed out of sight in holiday period by Meta’s Quest 3, at one point being outsold by 30 units to 1 on the US Amazon store in the run-up to Christmas. Many of those Quest 3 headsets will have ended up being connected to PCs and used for Steam and Oculus gaming, whereas the PSVR2 is an expensive addition to an expensive console already, and has a more limited library of games.

Hopefully, things will progress quickly and we will have a decent choice of which kit to hook up to our PCs.

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When a new tech product is being tested, there can be many valid reasons to return the product, which is the case with the Vision Pro.  Some people are returning the product, citing illness — the motion sickness type. Studies indicate that about 25% of the people who are testing the Apple Vision Pro have this illness. Some have reported headaches, nausea, exhaustion, and dizziness. If the tester is lucky enough to avoid dealing with any of these issues — that’s great. For those Vison Pro users who are not so lucky, tens of millions of over-the-counter motion sickness products are marketed in the United States each year — and for good cause.

Do you know someone who has experienced motion sickness?

Almost everyone has heard or seen someone with this condition — someone lying out on the sand next to a boat ramp, those who stumble off a ship cruise, or someone lying on the grass, face down, just off a Disneyland ride. What about the bags in the back of your seat on an airplane? — you get the gist. Because augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality headsets are not as widely used as possible, extended reality motion sickness is a much lesser-known condition. But it is a very real issue and isn’t exclusive to Apple’s first headset.

Users of the HTC Vive, PSVR, and Meta Quest have all mentioned experiencing the motion feeling. There will always be skepticism when reports surface of consumers returning trendy new tech gadgets only a few weeks after buying them. That’s especially true when you’re Apple, launching a $3,500 item that has been in development for almost ten years.

Motion sickness was undoubtedly a concern for the corporation during the Apple Vision Pro’s research and development stage. Improving the display resolution and cutting down on latency helped to lessen the potential for people to feel motion. If there is a way to prevent motion sickness in all users — it certainly hasn’t been discovered yet. The millions of pills for motion sickness that are over-the-counter and the many prescription types all bear witness to the fact that tons of individuals suffer from this.

Below are the Apple Guidelines if you experience motion sickness while using Apple Vision Pro

The best way to avoid motion sickness is to avoid motion, which is unlikely to be your solution. Speaking from experience, there are other choices. Given the fact that many of us are prone to motion sickness in one way or the other, Apple, very wisely, released some guidelines. They already knew from testing that this problem would come up in a certain number of users of the Vision Pro — and that a sizable percentage would feel at least some symptoms.

Hop on the techcrunch.com article, and near the bottom of the page, Brian Heater gives ideas for overcoming motion sickness issues. Many of these suggestions have worked for me, as well — for several different headsets. But my best advice is this: remember the mention of those over-the-counter motion sickness products at the top of this article? I’m one of those — I use a product an hour before using the headset, before traveling in the backseat of a car, before fishing, before jet skis, before a carnival ride, before traveling on an airplane, before almost anything. I carry an over-the-counter and an Rx with me. But we can face this metaverse together with a bit of help.

Featured Image Credit: Apple Vision Pro

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TikTok has expanded its presence into the realm of immersive technology with the launch of a dedicated app for the Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s latest innovation in wearable tech. According to TechCrunch, this move places TikTok among the first wave of social media platforms to fully embrace the capabilities of the Vision Pro, which debuted on Feb. 2. The device has quickly become a new frontier for app developers, boasting over 1,000 apps specifically tailored for its unique user experience, including major names like Slack, Zoom, and Disney+.

The TikTok app for Vision Pro has been designed from the ground up to leverage the headset’s immersive viewing capabilities. Unlike the traditional mobile app where user interaction elements such as the navigation bar and like button overlay the video content, the Vision Pro app repositions these elements to the periphery. This design choice not only maximizes video viewing space but also introduces a novel way of interacting with the platform. Users can now simultaneously watch a video, browse comments, and explore creator profiles without interrupting their viewing experience.

One of the standout features of the TikTok Vision Pro app is its ability to transport viewers to virtual environments, such as Yosemite National Park or even the moon, while watching videos. This feature, coupled with the Vision Pro’s Shared Space functionality, allows users to multitask in a truly spatial computing environment, blending entertainment with productivity.

TikTok’s adaptation to the Vision Pro’s spatial computing environment also includes a reconfigured navigation bar, now placed on the left side of the interface to align with Apple’s design recommendations for the device. This adjustment ensures that the app’s user interface is both intuitive and consistent with the overall Vision Pro experience.

The introduction of TikTok’s app on the Vision Pro underscores the platform’s commitment to innovation and its eagerness to explore new ways of delivering content. By venturing into spatial computing, TikTok not only sets a precedent for social media engagement but also secures a competitive edge, particularly against rivals like YouTube, which has yet to launch its app for the Vision Pro.

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The Apple Vision Pro is the latest shiny new consumer wearable to get gadget lovers excited. And understandably so. It’s the first “spatial computer”, a mixed-reality headset that allows the user to experience digital content through the glasses.

Apple is clear it shouldn’t be used when driving (obviously), but a few people have found a way to abuse the Tesla’s autopilot and full self-driving (FSD) Beta — all while wearing Apple Vision Pro.

Surely, it’s partially Tesla’s fault that the FSD Beta and Autopilot technologies are among the most misunderstood products in the world. Before the product could even be delivered, Tesla called it “Full Self-Driving.” Some may remember riding in the backseat of an early Tesla and having the driver working on their computer while exiting an offramp from the freeway. Even in the early Tesla models, the vehicle actually performed the maneuver. But accidents do happen — and did happen to some drivers-driving-driverless. The Tesla Autopilot and FSD are both still considered “level-2” driver-assist systems — meaning that the driver’s hands must be on the steering wheel at all times. To understand more clearly — do not wear an Apple Vision Pro while driving.

You may have caught a glimpse of this photo — but at least he’s not wearing the Apple Vision Pro. And by the way, Apple does not want you to say the in Apple Vision Pro.

— and you’ve likely seen a few of these TikToks:

@nypost

#Tesla driver asleep at the wheel in #California

♬ original sound – New York Post | News

Even though Tesla has increasingly upgraded its driver monitoring features to stop this sort of system abuse, many people can circumvent the system to their benefit — and take advantage.

Keep in mind, the Cybertruck doesn’t even have Autopilot yet!

Tesla Cybertruck meet Apple Vision Pro! pic.twitter.com/CFk4PAviZs

— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) February 4, 2024

Apple makes it very apparent that using the iPhone while driving is prohibited–and the same goes for the  Apple Vision Pro! It would theoretically be feasible to drive utilizing the headset because of the Vision Pro’s exceptional “passthrough” capability, which renders your surroundings in real-time. However, this is a poor idea, and if the headset fails in the middle of your driving debut? How long does it take to rip the headset off your head?

Business Insider reported today that Apple Vision Pro is meant to be worn when you’re alone — and that you look “weird” wearing it in public, but that’s another story.

Featured Image Credit: Apple Vision Pro

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With Apple estimated to have shifted around 180,000 Vision Pro headsets over its first pre-order weekend last month, initial reports indicated a slow uptake on the latest development from the world’s biggest company by market capitalization. 

The sales pitch from Apple describes “an infinite canvas that transforms how you use the apps you love.” The ability to see your apps in front of you, arranged as you wish for the perfect workspace, all whilst moving between real and virtual realms. It sounds impressive and it is, but to what extent? This substantial headset has the potential to be a game-changer but it remains to be seen if people will take to wearing it, as well as carrying around a very expensive piece of equipment.

All the pre-orders are on the way to consumers, but if you are yet to be sold on buying the headset, you will want to read more. Here is a rundown of some of those reports on the mixed-reality device from Apple.

‘Most innovative product since iPhone’

Global editor-in-chief of Tom’s Guide, Mark Spoonauer, lauded the hand and eye-tracking technology as well as the 3D spatial video playback embedded in the Vision Pro. 

He approved of the design spec of the headset but opted to take regular breaks from wearing it due to its weight. Spoonauer believes the software is “still in its early stages” in some aspects, with the App Store devoid of several key apps at this time and he noted a gripe with the tethered battery.  He rightly draws attention to the high price point ($3,499) with the suggestion that a breakthrough could come with another version of the Vision Pro at a lower, more accessible price for the mass market. 

Overall, the Tom’s Guide chief insisted this is “the most innovative Apple product since the original iPhone”, which includes an abundance of immersive environments and significant capability to multitask.

Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge coined an interesting paradox with the description of Apple’s creation as “the best consumer headset anyone’s ever made – and that’s the problem”. 

He was effusive in his praise for the magic of the Vision Pro whilst tempering the positivity with reality. Patel considered if the headset was too advanced, questioning if it could become another market leader (like the iPhone) or end up a niche product. He also noted a sense of isolation in the mixed-reality environment. 

‘Familiar and distinct’

Further reviews came from Tech Radar’s Lance Ulanoff, who required just half an hour to be convinced Vision Pro is “the real future of virtual and augmented reality”. He was blown away by his initial experience of the “mixed-reality headset that is at once familiar and wholly distinct.”

Despite the glowing approval, Ulanoff too balked at the price of the product which will surely be succeeded by other, cheaper releases in order to penetrate the market.

The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern expressed a similar sentiment.

Following a week-long trial with the Vision Pro, she described a work in progress that “you’re probably not going to buy”. The first-generation release was also deemed as “big and heavy, its battery life sucks, there are few great apps and it can be buggy”.

CNET’s Scott Stein described a “thrilling” experience but overall, awarded the Vision Pro a score of just 7.8 out of 10.

His words of a “mind-blowing look at an unfinished future” appear to aptly represent the immediate prospects for this impressive yet imperfect version of Apple’s mixed reality headset.

Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee echoed those thoughts, “I love this thing, not because it’s flawless – it is far from flawless – but because it’s actually interesting…but this [holds Vision Pro], this thing is interesting it’s risky but most of all it’s new.”

Feature image: Apple

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Despite heavy quarterly losses, Meta’s Reality Lab turned over a billion dollars in revenue in Q4 last year which equates to a healthy amount of headsets sold. All of those Quest 3 headsets are set to receive a new update – version .62.

This update is a pretty impressive sounding one for the headset and brings a host of new and improved features including one that strikes right at the heart of Apple’s expensive Vision Pro headset before it even arrives.

Spatial Video was touted as a big thing with the new iPhone range and the fact you could record these videos and play them back on the Vision Pro, enabling you to create your own 3D footage, for example, while on vacation.

Following the update you can now transfer spatial videos from your iPhone to the Meta Quest app and view them directly from your Quest 3 headset.

With the Apple Vision Pro not getting huge amounts of pre-orders, granted it is a device with a price tag that will not appeal to everybody, it is good that iPhone users will now be able to use the spatial video recording feature without laying out over three thousand dollars on a headset to watch it.

Other features that are arriving with the update are cool too. Controller support has been added for browser-based cloud gaming, so if you are a user of the Xbox Cloud Gaming service, you can use an Xbox controller and play games within your headset.

Other tweaks include changes to Quick Actions making it easier to work with the taskbar and generally made life easier when you need to recenter yourself in the camera.

On top of this live streaming has also been enabled for YouTube and you can now see the chat box within VR.

Featured Image: IHazACatNamedMax via Creative Commons 4.0

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Meta’s Quest 3 headset had a strong Q4 last year. At stages over the holiday period, it was outselling Sony’s PSVR2 by 30 units to one on Amazon in the run-up to Christmas, and this has helped Meta Reality Labs, the division behind the Quest 3 and Ray-Ban smart glasses, to post its highest-ever quarterly revenue,

In the Q4 earnings call, UploadVR states that Meta reported $1.07 billion in quarterly revenue for Reality Labs.

Meta CFO Susan Li said to investors that the record levels of revenue were “driven by Quest 3 sales during the holiday season”

At the same time, however, Meta Reality Labs also reported its highest quarterly costs at $5.72 billion, indicating a $4.65 billion quarterly loss. Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg has previously told investors according to UploadVR, that he does not expect Reality Labs to turn a profit until the 2030s.

The Quest 3 continues to plow a lonely furrow for standalone VR at this quality and price point, with the subsidized hardware at a similar price point to the PSVR2 but without needing the additional PlayStation 5 expense on top.

The Meta Quest 3 can be used standalone and requires no room sensors, meaning it can be taken anyway, and despite average battery life has become a huge hit with embracers of virtual reality technology.

The Quest 3 can also be hooked up to a PC to provide VR compatibility with more and more games, and a recent mod opened up the world of just about any game coded in Unreal Engine to be able to be played through the Quest 3 hardware.

While VR continues to search for a killer game to take it to the masses, the ability for gamers to play more of their favorite games in the ecosystem should help further its popularity,

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Zoom, the popular video conferencing platform, is poised to enhance the virtual meeting experience with its latest app designed for Apple Vision Pro. Set to launch this Friday, the app, developed for visionOS, aims to transform remote interactions into more immersive and engaging experiences.

According to 9to5Mac, a key feature of the new Zoom app is its integration with Apple’s Persona technology. This innovative feature creates a digital representation of users, capturing their facial and hand movements. This development offers a more realistic spatial representation in virtual meetings, fostering a sense of connection and presence among participants. The technology promises to replicate the nuances of in-person interactions, making virtual meetings feel more natural and engaging.

Another addition to the Zoom app is the Spatial Zoom Experience. This feature allows users to adjust the virtual meeting environment to an ideal size, creating a more immersive experience without the need for extra physical equipment. This innovation is particularly beneficial for those seeking to emulate the dynamics of face-to-face meetings.

Smita Hashim, Chief Product Officer at Zoom, highlighted the significance of this new integration. “Zoom on Apple Vision Pro helps teammates stay connected no matter when and where they work, or how they communicate and collaborate,” Hashim stated. “The integration of Zoom on Apple Vision Pro and visionOS extends our platform promise of allowing participants the ultimate meeting experience from anywhere and delivers on our commitment of seamless collaboration and communication.”

Upcoming Zoom features on Apple Vision Pro

Zoom’s upcoming features for Apple Vision Pro are set to transform the way professionals interact in virtual spaces. The 3D Object Sharing capability is particularly exciting for industries like media and design. This feature allows users to share and collaborate on 3D models, offering a more realistic and engaging way to work on creative projects.

In addition to 3D Object Sharing, Zoom is introducing Zoom Team Chat, seamlessly integrated with Zoom Meetings. This integration facilitates streamlined communication, enabling Apple Vision Pro users to effortlessly connect and share information with colleagues directly within the Zoom app.

Another innovative feature is Real-world Pinning. This unique functionality allows users to pin up to five meeting participants in their physical space. By offering the option to remove the background of pinned participants, Zoom enhances the sense of connection and presence, making virtual meetings feel more like real-life interactions.

Zoom for Vision Pro will be available for download from the visionOS App Store starting Friday, marking a step forward in the evolution of remote collaboration.

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A US neurotech start-up has announced an artificial intelligence (AI) system named Morpheus-1 designed to induce lucid dreams.

A lucid dream is when you’re aware you’re dreaming and can control or influence the dream’s content. Imagine realizing you can fly, walk through walls, or conjure up any scenario imaginable. Well, the developers at Prophetic AI claim they’re close to enabling people to do just that.

INTRODUCING MORPHEUS-1

The world’s first multi-modal generative ultrasonic transformer designed to induce and stabilize lucid dreams.

Available for beta users Spring 2024 pic.twitter.com/crFJ0aNblP

— Prophetic (@PropheticAI) January 25, 2024

While experienced lucid dreamers can sometimes trigger this state through techniques learned over time, science has yet to reliably induce conscious dreaming on demand.

This is where Prophetic AI’s Morpheus-1 comes in – it marks the first AI system focused specifically on ultrasonically stimulating targeted brain areas to trigger lucid, controllable dreams.

The company has for some time been developing a physical product for which this tech could be used. The non-invasive wearable product called the Halo is a headband that will detect when dreamers are in REM to induce and stabilize lucid dreams, presumably using the Morpheus-1 system.

Slated for beta release in Spring 2024, Morpheus-1 takes desired brain states as input prompts, and then outputs tailored ultrasonic signals for neurostimulation to achieve those states, essentially allowing users to select a lucid dream theme ahead of time.

Prophetic AI envisions this as just the first step toward reliable, on-demand conscious dream engineering without invasive surgery. By honing ultrasonic neuromodulation – the process of using sound waves beyond the range of human hearing to gently stimulate areas of the brain – with AI systems like Morpheus-1, their goal is to develop a “digital psi-ence” giving humanity safe new windows into dream worlds we can’t normally access or control while awake.

Since the beginning, Prophetic’s mission has been to give humanity the tools to explore and expand consciousness.

Morpheus-1 is a leap forward in that mission, moving us closer to ultrasonically inducing conscious experiences on-demand and changing the world forever. pic.twitter.com/h3tn5O0cCR

— Prophetic (@PropheticAI) January 25, 2024

It sounds like something from the realms of fantasy but if achieved, technologies like Morpheus-1 may one day be seen as expanding consciousness or as Prophetic co-founder and CEO Eric Wollberg puts it, “We are building Prophetic, so that humanity can map and cultivate the frontier of consciousness.”

But we could still be a year out from a fully working prototype, with plans to ship completed Halo devices starting in early 2025.

Who is behind Prophetic AI?

Prophetic AI was co-founded in March 2023 by Eric Wollberg (age 29) and Wesley Berry (age 27). The two young tech entrepreneurs met while independently researching brain imaging tools and their potential for visualizing thought patterns, reports CNBC.

Wollberg was focused on using lucid dreams – dreams in which the sleeper is aware they are dreaming – to investigate consciousness. Meanwhile, Berry was collaborating with musician Grimes on translating neural signals into art. Recognizing their shared interests at the intersection of neuroscience and consciousness, they decided to launch Prophetic.

The startup raised $1.1 million in funding led by VC firm BoxGroup to build prototypes of Halo and they’ve partnered with Card79, also known for making hardware for Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

Prophetic compares its mission to that of OpenAI – using technology to demystify and expand human consciousness.

Featured Image: Prophetic AI

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VR remains on the fringe of gaming, which it has done for the past several years. Headsets are freely available and there are some games such as Elite Dangerous and just about any car racing game that benefit hugely from playing within a headset.

There are still people who get motion sickness and the barrier to entry of cost is a big one, especially with a major lack of any mainstream titles specifically developed with VR in mind.

When PlayStation doubled down with a second version of its PSVR for its console it was seen as a good thing – here was a major operating in the industry supporting the technology. But if a report from RoadtoVR means anything, the Sony-backed headset had a tough time getting any sales traction over the holiday period on Amazon at least.

Taking data from Amazon US and tracking sales volume of Meta’s Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets, along with PSVR2 showed, astonishingly, that Quest headsets outsold PlayStation headsets by 30 to 1.

Data highlights that between November 16th and January 16th Meta sold at least 320,000 units compared to PlayStation’s 10,500.

Obviously, it is important to note that this is just one online storefront, albeit the biggest, and both brands may have sold considerably more than that.

Apple has found out this week that transferring a desirable product into sales is not always easy as it struggled with pre-orders of its new Apple Vision headset.

With headsets costing getting on for the same price as a high-end console, they are a considered purchase (in the case of Apple’s you could buy a decent second-hand car). VR continues to look for its killer app that will take owning a headset from a nice-to-have to a must-have.

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Apple is estimated to have sold around 180, 000 Vision Pro headsets on the first pre-order weekend, according to an analyst.

As reported by End Gadget, this early indication reflects a slow start for the mixed-reality entertainment device but it is still in its very early stages.

Based on pre-order inventory and shipping time information, Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted the trillion-dollar company has taken between 160,000 and 180,000 orders for its new launch.

The report suggests this figure dwarfed the initial production figures but overall it is still a drop in the ocean compared to Apple’s reported 1.2 billion active users.

Early Obstacles for Apple’s Vision Pro

Kuo pointed out shipping times have remained unchanged for those who have bought the new headset, which can be a sign of lesser demand if it is not pushed back.

“The inability to sustain a steady increase in pre-order demand is a major concern and also confirms earlier concerns about whether the intensity of demand can be sustained,” wrote Kuo, who works for investment research firm TF International Securities.

The Vision Pro is expected to have its full release around June, so Apple will be keen to build momentum and exposure for the product building up to that point.

It has to be said that the Vision Pro will not be for everyone, especially with its heavy price tag. At an entry point of $3,499, the new device could become a niche product that will present its challenges. Apple will need to ensure it is capable of selling enough units, but one option will be to release a cheaper model.

Vision Pro has also been beset with a snub from YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify with those platforms confirming they will not be launching a dedicated app for the new Apple headset. Instead, users will need to use a web browser to avail of their services.

Apple is rolling out a 25-minute demo service on the Vision Pro in its stores which will be accepted by its hardcore fans but will the wider consumer base have the appetite as well as the means to take a bite at this latest production?

An interesting few months lie ahead for the full launch of Apple Vision Pro.

Featured Image: Apple

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VR has had some great games during its time in the spotlight, but equally, the ability to play your favorite games has long been missing. Many VR games are simply not up to triple AAA standards, and the lack of choice of using your headset as a mobile monitor has, perhaps, halted the takeup of virtual reality headsets.

During the early days of the Oculus Rift – before Facebook bought the company – there was a big movement in the scene to get games such as Skyrim and GTAV working in VR. Modders managed it but largely the games were clunky and unplayable, thus a disappointment that sent many away from the technology.

We have had the ability to play games on virtual monitors with apps such as Virtual Desktop running through our headsets but when it has come to playing an actual mainstream game that doesn’t have native VR support we have been stuck.

Until now.

Prominent VR modder Praydog has released on open-source the UEVR mod FLAT2VR for PC and it changes the game big time. 

VR support for pretty much every Unreal Engine 4 and 5 game is now the click of a button away and you could soon be playing them in a headset such as the Meta Quest 3 attached to your gaming PC rig. Eurogamer reports that even recent games such as Robocop work fine, and many popular games also have configs that have been created by players that make them run even smoother than just using the default settings.

Even though Praydog’s mod is unofficial, the fact it opens up VR access to so many popular games will give a shot in the arm to the technology.

As somebody who has spent many hundreds of hours in virtual reality, the opportunity to play some big games is an exciting prospect indeed. 

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Netflix is venturing into live sports streaming as it prepares to host a high-profile tennis match featuring the acclaimed tennis athlete and world number two, Carlos Alcaraz. This thrilling event, called “The Netflix Slam,” is set for March 3, 2024, and will be held at the distinguished Michelob Ultra Arena situated within the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This move marks a significant step for Netflix as it expands its services beyond movies and television to cater to sports enthusiasts. The Netflix Slam is expected to attract millions of viewers, showcasing the streaming platform’s capability to host real-time sporting events while highlighting Alcaraz’s impressive tennis skills on an international stage.

Although Alcaraz is the main highlight, the streaming titan intends to announce more players and contests in the future. Netflix will cater to English and Spanish-speaking viewers by broadcasting the event in both languages simultaneously. This multi-lingual approach allows the platform to reach a wider audience and engage fans from different regions. Moreover, it showcases Netflix’s commitment to inclusivity and its continuous efforts to enhance viewers’ experience.

Focusing on sports-adjacent programming

This initiative comes after Netflix’s prior incursion into sports when it organized an imaginative contest that combined Formula 1 racers from its well-liked docuseries Drive to Survive and professional golfers. Following this successful collaboration, there have been growing discussions surrounding the potential for more crossover events in the future to enhance viewer engagement. Industry insiders anticipate further exploration of these unique opportunities where different sports personalities and events are introduced in groundbreaking formats, solidifying Netflix’s commitment to expanding its sports content offerings.

Fans should temper their hopes for seasonal matches as the company does not intend to secure broadcasting rights for such events. This means that access to seasonal matches will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future, and viewers will have to rely on current broadcasting services.

Netflix plans to focus on “sports-adjacent programming,” seeking opportunities to develop sports-related docuseries and generate captivating content for enthusiasts around the globe. This shift in strategy aims to appeal to a broader audience by exploring the human stories behind the world of sports and delving into the personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs of athletes and teams. By producing compelling narratives and diving deeper into sports culture, Netflix hopes to engage viewers who may not necessarily be die-hard sports fans but still have an interest in the drama and emotion that unfolds both on and off the field.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Tembela Bohle; Pexels

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Metaverses are emerging concepts that combine technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, etc. A few years ago, users couldn’t imagine interacting with 3D virtual worlds and each other in such immersive ways.

The most noteworthy example of the metaverse taking shape is Facebook rebranding itself as Meta. This tech giant has set its sights on developing the infrastructure and platform necessary for the metaverse to flourish. They aim to create seamless digital experiences and user interactions by combining virtual reality with their flagship Oculus devices.

As the metaverse grows, an array of powerful technologies come to the forefront:

1. Virtual Reality (VR): A fully immersive environment allows users to explore and engage with digital worlds.
2. Augmented Reality (AR): Integrates digital elements into the physical environment, enhancing our real-world experiences.
3. Blockchain Technologies: Enable the creation of decentralized platforms and digital assets, paving the way for user-owned virtual goods and unique, verifiable digital identities.

The potential for the metaverse is vast and varied. Some current applications include virtual concerts, educational experiences, and business meetings. Major companies, such as Unity, have also started developing tools and software for developers to build robust and innovative applications within this space.

According to Gergo Vari, the founder of Lensa, if your startup is ready to ride the metaverse wave, staying informed and investing in the skills and expertise needed for this new era are crucial. By utilizing the metamodern opportunities created by these groundbreaking technologies, we can transform our lives, our workplaces, and our interactions.

As it develops, Businesses and consumers will have access to a wide range of opportunities in the metaverse. Adapting to emerging trends and staying agile will be crucial for startups as the metaverse grows.

Potential Impact on Various Industries

Data Management and Storage

Users will generate and consume more data as the metaverse becomes more prevalent. This massive influx of information will require data management and storage to handle and process. Innovations such as edge computing, decentralized cloud storage, and privacy-enhancing tools will be in high demand due to the growing demand for efficient, secure, and scalable data storage solutions.

Economy and Meta

New economic models and virtual assets will reshape the global economy in the metaverse. A secure and efficient transaction mechanism will be needed as users and businesses interact in the metaverse. Startups can take advantage of this opportunity and develop cryptocurrency, digital wallets, and financial platforms adapted for the metaverse.

In addition, the metaverse will create new marketplaces, revenue streams, and employment opportunities, which will impact both traditional and digital economies. Industries such as real estate, fashion, and entertainment will transform, with businesses offering innovative products and services in a virtual environment.

Meta in Sports

Sports will undergo a digital revolution within the metaverse, offering unique opportunities to engage fans and athletes worldwide across virtual and real-world systems. Startups can leverage virtual reality and advanced analytics to create immersive fan experiences, enabling spectators to tune into live events and interact with their favorite teams and players in new and exciting ways. Some possibilities include virtual arenas, sports simulations, and e-sports tournaments.

Furthermore, sports organizations can harness the power of data and connected devices to improve training methods and monitor athletes’ performance. This combination of meta in sports will transform the dynamics of physical activity, inspiring the next generation of sports innovators and enthusiasts.

The 2024 Expectations: Startup Alignment

As we approach 2024, startups need to align themselves with the emerging trends poised to shake up the business landscape. In a world dominated by ongoing digital advancements and the technological revolution, staying informed and ready to adapt is essential.

Generative AI: The Forbes article Startup Trends, Industries, and Technologies in 2024 suggests that the evolution of Generative AI will play a crucial role in the business sector. Startups should focus on exploring the capabilities of AI to create and innovate, which includes applications in design, content production, process automation, and more.

Metaverse Integration: The Metaverse is no longer a sci-fi concept but a reality that businesses must learn to navigate. Companies that can adapt quickly to the growing demand for digital experiences will have a competitive edge in 2024. Incorporating metaverse technologies can help fuel customer engagement, streamline business operations, and expand revenue streams.

Essential 2024 Startup Accessories:

• Advanced AI tools

• Virtual Reality (VR) devices

• Augmented Reality (AR) platforms

• Blockchain technology

To ensure that startups are ready for 2024’s lineup of technological opportunities, founders should pay close attention to emerging news and cutting-edge developments. This includes investment in equipment and talent to boost productivity and overall horsepower.

Staying informed on operational trends is also vital for startups heading into 2024. An article titled Navigating the New Normal: Operations Insights for 2024 highlights the importance of understanding the volatile labor market and adapting to automation demands. This means finding the right balance in embracing technology while addressing workforce challenges.

Startups looking to succeed in 2024 need to align themselves with the expectations of the upcoming business revolution and adapt accordingly. Investing in advanced AI capabilities, metaverse technologies, and staying agile to emerging trends will help ensure a bright future in the dynamics of 2024.

Street Smart: Adapting to the Metaversal Revolution

The Metaverse, a term coined by Neal Stephenson, is ushering in a new era of digital innovation, offering startups unparalleled opportunities to thrive in this virtual world. As we move into 2024, your startup must be street-smart and harness the power of the metaverse to drive success.

One essential factor to consider in this environment is the sound your startup makes in the digital sphere. In the metaverse, the auditory experience is crucial for engaging users and creating immersive virtual environments. Startups should invest in developing high-quality audio experiences, whether it be for NFTs and digital art, gaming, or virtual events. Identifying and utilizing cutting-edge audio technology is a significant step to staying relevant in the metaverse.

Next, consider the horsepower of your startup’s infrastructure. The metaverse demands high-performance computing and networking to manage the sheer volume of data exchanged and rendered in real-time. Focus on building a tech stack that can scale quickly and efficiently in response to the dynamic demands of the metaverse. This might include cloud-native solutions, edge computing, and robust content delivery networks (CDNs).

Localizing your presence in the metaverse is vital, akin to securing an attractive location on a bustling street. Identify the digital platforms that have the most significant impact on your target audience and seize the opportunities they provide. Some popular choices include:

• Social Media and messaging platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Discord)

• Gaming platforms (Steam, Epic Games Store, Roblox)

• NFT & digital collectibles marketplaces (OpenSea, Rarible)

Finally, to ensure your startup is fully adapted to the metaversal revolution, cultivate a culture of ongoing learning and agility within your team. The metaverse is a rapidly evolving landscape where trends and technologies can change overnight. Foster an environment where employees are encouraged to stay informed and develop new skills to thrive in this ever-changing world.

By staying street-smart in the metaverse, your startup will unlock numerous opportunities and ride the wave of the digital revolution, positioning itself for sustained growth and success in the years to come.

Featured Image Credit: Bradley Hook; Pexels

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The emergence of the digital economy is a complex and ongoing process that has evolved over several decades. Today, collaborating the real world with a virtual one delivers new technologies at a breakneck progression. One such nascent yet most talked about technology of today is the Metaverse.

What is the Metaverse?

A platform where users can interact with each other through customizable avatars in various virtual spaces, where users can digitally create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences and assets, or where users can buy, develop, and sell parcels of digital real estate can be referred to as Metaverse.

To elaborate, the Metaverse can be thought of as an emerging 3D-enabled virtual universe that exists parallel to our physical world, typically through the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and other advanced internet and hardware technology so that people can have lifelike personal and business experiences online with more control because of its decentralized nature.

History

In the early 1990s, when the internet started to commercialize with the evolution of web browsers and e-commerce services, sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson coined the term ‘Metaverse’ in his 1992 novel “Snow Crash.” describing a 3D virtual world that people could, in a sense, occupy.

In recent years, the concept of the Metaverse has gained significant attention due to advancements in technology and the growth of virtual and augmented reality, which paved the way for digital gaming. The virtual gaming environment allows players to interact with each other in the form of avatars, which inspired the idea of the Metaverse.

Today, the motivation behind the Metaverse is far beyond gaming after realizing the huge market potential of companies such as Microsoft, Google, Roblox, Shopify, JP Morgan, Nike, Adidas, McDonald’s, etc. The booming potential of Metaverse led Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerburg, to change the name of his company, Facebook, to Meta in 2021.

Features

The features of Metaverse can vary depending on the specific platform or system, but some standard features and characteristics include:

• Immersive Virtual Worlds: Metaverses typically offer immersive 3D virtual environments where users can interact with each other and digital objects. These environments may resemble real-world spaces, fantastical settings, or entirely unique creations.
• Persistence: Unlike traditional online games or virtual worlds, Metaverses are often designed to be persistent, meaning they continue to exist and evolve even when users are not logged in. Others can see changes one user makes, and the Metaverse retains a history.
• Interconnectivity: Metaverses aim to be highly interconnected, allowing users to move seamlessly between virtual spaces and applications. Users can carry their avatars and possessions from one part of the Metaverse to another.
• User-Created Content: Many Metaverses enable users to create and contribute content, from virtual buildings and items to digital art and experiences. User-generated content often plays a significant role in shaping the Metaverse.
• Avatars: Users typically have avatars that represent them in the Metaverse, allowing for personal expression and interaction with other users.
• Social Interaction: Socialization is a core feature of Metaverse. Users can communicate with others via text, voice, or video, and they often participate in activities like virtual events, meetings, and parties.
• Digital Economy: Metaverses often have their own digital economies, where users can buy, sell, and trade virtual assets, including virtual land, clothing, and in-game items. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology may be used for transactions.
• Cross-Platform Accessibility: Metaverse aims to be accessible across various devices and platforms, including VR headsets, mobile devices, and traditional computers, to allow users to connect regardless of their hardware.
• Decentralization: Some Metaverses are built on decentralized technologies like blockchain to enhance virtual asset security, ownership, and control.
• Real-World Integration: Metaverse can blend with the physical world through augmented reality, enabling users to interact with digital elements in their physical surroundings.
• Gaming and Entertainment: Many Metaverses include elements of gaming and entertainment, such as quests, puzzles, or virtual events, to engage users.
• Personalization: Users can often customize their virtual spaces, avatars, and experiences to suit their preferences.

Technological Components

The Metaverse incorporates a wide range of technological components. These components work together to create immersive, interconnected virtual environments. Here are some of the key technological components of the Metaverse:

• Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in developing and operating the Metaverse. It enhances the user experience, enables automation, and contributes to the functionality and realism of virtual environments. AI technologies like machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing are instrumental in creating the sense of realism, responsiveness, and interactivity that make the Metaverse an engaging and dynamic virtual world. Key roles include content generation, voice and speech recognition, behavior prediction, creating realistic NPCs (Non-Playable Characters, which are lifelike characters and entities), safety and moderation, natural language processing (NLP), navigation and pathfinding, etc.
• Virtual reality: Virtual reality (VR) is a fundamental component of the Metaverse, as it enables users to immerse themselves in digital environments and interact with others more effectively. While not all aspects of the Metaverse require VR, it significantly enriches the user experience. It is expected to be a core component of many Metaverse experiences, such as interacting with friends and strangers in virtual spaces using avatars, playing spatial audio, hand and gesture tracking, therapeutic and wellness applications, architecture, design, gaming, entertainment, collaborative work, and training, etc.
• Augmented reality: Augmented reality blends a person’s view of reality with a virtual or digital image. Hence, AR enriches the Metaverse by bridging the gap between the virtual and physical worlds, providing users with new ways to interact, learn, play, and conduct everyday activities. AR allows users to overlay digital information and objects onto the physical world, enhancing how they interact with and perceive their natural surroundings. This can include adding virtual signs, labels, or information to physical objects or locations. Using AR devices such as AR glasses, users can gain a better sense of spatial awareness in the Metaverse. They can see their real-world environment while accessing virtual information, which can improve safety and usability. Digital twinning, training, education, navigation, healthcare, product visualization, and creative marketing campaigns are the areas in Metaverse where AR can complement VR in the Metaverse.
• Internet of Things (IoT): IoT is a system that adds a layer of real-world data and interconnectivity to the virtual and augmented realities in the Metaverse. It connects everything in the physical world to the Internet via sensors and gadgets, so these devices shall have a unique identification and the capacity to receive and send data automatically. This data can include environmental information, location data, biometric data, etc., enhancing the virtual environment’s realism and interactivity.

IoT can enable users to interact with and manipulate the physical environment through the Metaverse. For instance, users can control lighting, temperature, and security systems in their physical surroundings using virtual interfaces in the Metaverse.

IoT can create digital twins or representations of real-world objects and assets within the Metaverse. For example, a smart building can be replicated in the Metaverse, allowing users to interact with its virtual counterpart and access real-time information about the building’s systems.

Developing smart homes and cities, health and wellness monitoring, providing enhanced shopping experience, real-time weather monitoring-based virtual tourism, and controlling social and environmental interactions using virtual interfaces are some of the critical roles of IoT in the Metaverse environment.

• Blockchain technology: Blockchain can add up another security, transparency, and trust overlay in decentralized virtual environments. It can establish and verify ownership of digital assets within the Metaverse. Using blockchain-based tokens, users can have verifiable ownership of virtual land, virtual goods, in-game items, and digital art. For example, the cryptocurrency can be used to buy digital lands in Decentraland.

Blockchain can facilitate interoperability between different virtual worlds and platforms within the Metaverse. Users can move their assets and identity seamlessly within the same Metaverse or across various Metaverse environments using cryptocurrencies while working and socializing in the 3D digital environment.

The decentralized and secure nature of blockchain is well-suited for the Metaverse, as it addresses many of the challenges related to ownership, trust, and interoperability in virtual worlds. As the Metaverse continues evolving, blockchain will likely play an increasingly integral role in shaping its economy and infrastructure.

• Edge Computing: The Metaverse relies on real-time interactions between users and their virtual environments and interactions with other users. Edge computing, along with a 5G network, enables responsive, interactive, and synchronized experiences, allowing users to interact with virtual objects, communicate with others, and participate in events in real-time.

Edge computing brings computational resources closer to end-users, reducing the latency between user actions and server responses. It also enables distributed processing of Metaverse environments. Some computational tasks can be offloaded to edge nodes, reducing the burden on central servers and enabling efficient rendering of 3D graphics, simulations, and complex virtual scenarios while maintaining user privacy. This low-latency environment is essential for immersive Metaverse experiences, where slight delays can disrupt the sense of presence and real-time interactions.

Current Status

The huge market potential of the Metaverse has spiked up in 2023, which has motivated many companies like Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia to develop their own Metaverse. Currently, many Metaverse applications are available for use.

• Decentraland is the first online decentralized social platform and is booming rapidly. It features smart contracts, allowing users to trade their land, apparel, characters, etc digitally.
• Another popular Metaverse is Sandbox, which is analogous to Decentraland. Both have similar DAO designs and are based on Ethereum. Sandbox is meant to build smart contracts for virtual land and other assets.
• Bloktopia is another Metaverse example, giving a unique vocational experience as a decentralized VR skyscraper made of 21 floors. Other features include social interactions, e-commerce, and learning.
• One application that touts the incorporation of blockchain is Enjin Coin, based on Ethereum’s blockchain, which allows both gamers and programmers to trade their video game products using both fungible and non-fungible tokens.
• Roblox and Epic games are Metaverses alike in the video gaming world, which offer a virtual space for players to connect and create Metaverse projects and digital assets. This allows users to design their own games easily and provides wonderful VR experiences.
• Efinity is a Metaverse that allows artists to vend their artwork and other assets through blockchain NFTs. Further, digital art can be used in gaming and other VR experiences.
• Metahero is one of the most versatile and popular Metaverses so far, which encompasses 3D scanning and modeling technologies to create an immersive environment filled with realistic 3D avatars and virtual objects. These realistic objects can be used in games, social networking, e-commerce, and all VR activities supported by the Metaverse.

Future

In 2021, more than USD 10 billion were raised by Metaverse-based companies, which was more than twice what was raised in 2020. This value reached more than USD 120 billion in 2022. The latest McKinsey research shows that the Metaverse has the potential to generate up to USD 5 trillion by 2030.

Metaverse concept is evolving rapidly, and developments may have occurred since then. Here are some potential future projections for the Metaverse:

• Greater Adoption: The Metaverse will likely see greater adoption as technology improves and more users become familiar with virtual and augmented reality. This could include individual users and businesses using the Metaverse for various purposes. It could be the next internet!
• Expanding Use Cases: The Metaverse is expected to expand beyond gaming and social interaction to serve a wide range of use cases, including education, healthcare, remote work, shopping, art, entertainment, scientific research, real estate, and more. It could revolutionize how we conduct many aspects of our lives.
• Economic Opportunities: A robust digital economy within the Metaverse is anticipated, including virtual land ownership, trading of virtual assets, and even the emergence of virtual jobs and careers.
• Technological Advancements: Advancements in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies will play a crucial role in shaping the Metaverse. More realistic and immersive experiences are likely to become possible.
• Interoperability: As the Metaverse grows, there may be a push for interoperability between different Metaverse platforms. Just as the internet allows for communication and data exchange between different websites and services, the Metaverse might aim for a similar level of connectivity.
• Privacy and Security: Privacy and security concerns will be significant, especially as users spend more time in the Metaverse and share personal information. Ensuring data security and user safety will be essential.
• Blockchain and Digital Ownership: Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies may play a central role in establishing and verifying ownership of digital assets within the Metaverse, enhancing trust and enabling secure transactions.
• Government Regulations: Governments may begin establishing regulations and standards for the Metaverse, addressing issues such as taxation, copyright, and data protection.
• Content Creation and User-Generated Content: The Metaverse will likely see a continued surge in user-generated content, which will be integral to its growth and development.
• Ethical and Social Issues: As the Metaverse becomes more integrated into daily life, it will give rise to various ethical and social issues, including issues related to addiction, virtual crime, and the blurring of the lines between the physical and digital worlds.
• Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of data centers and energy consumption associated with the Metaverse will be a growing concern. Sustainable practices and green technologies may become more important.
• Inclusive and Accessible Metaverse: Ensuring that the Metaverse is inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds will be a focus area, both in terms of design and regulations.

Conclusion

According to the tech futurist Cathy Hackl, the Metaverse is not about escaping reality; it is rather about embracing and augmenting it with virtual content and experiences that can make things more fulfilling and make us feel more connected to our loved ones, further productive at work, and happier.

It’s important to note that the concept of the Metaverse is evolving rapidly because it allows a lot of freedom to the users to an extent that they would rather feel as the stakeholders than the customers. This characteristic of the Metaverse world will make it desirable for every single smartphone user in the upcoming time.

Featured Image Credit: Provided by the Author; Thank you!

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Meta has temporarily stopped shipping its Elite Strap with Battery for Quest 3 following numerous user complaints about a charging fault. This issue, as per Road to VR reporting, renders the battery ineffective and the strap a mere counterweight.

Earlier this month, reports surfaced about the Elite Strap with Battery’s reliability issues. Priced at $130, this accessory is designed to provide an additional two hours of playtime and enhanced ergonomics compared to the standard strap. However, users found that it failed to charge the Quest 3 headset after a certain period.

Meta Support initially indicated that replacing the faulty units might not resolve the problem, suggesting a potential hardware or firmware issue. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to Road to VR that the pause in sales is due to a firmware-related defect. The company is currently manufacturing new straps without this fault.

Meta is not recalling the device but is instead handling replacements on a case-by-case basis. They are also working with retail partners to restock the new, fault-free units as soon as possible. Major retailers such as Target and Best Buy have temporarily removed the product listings in the interim, while Amazon and Meta’s own website mark it as “out of stock.”

This isn’t the first time Meta has encountered manufacturing issues with its Elite Strap line. The original release for Quest 2 in 2020, including both the Elite Strap and Elite Strap with Battery, faced problems due to design flaws leading to the spontaneous cracking of the device’s plastic struts. Meta had to extend the warranty for these products after resuming sales post a similar pause.

Advice for Quest 3 consumers

For those who have purchased the Elite Strap with Battery for Quest 3, Meta advises contacting their support for troubleshooting or replacement. In the U.S., consumers have a one-year warranty, while in the EU, the warranty extends to two years. It’s important to note that while many users have reported the fault, others have not experienced any issues, indicating the problem might not affect all units.

Meta is actively working to resolve this issue and ensure the reliability of its products, and advises customers to stay informed about the availability of the new, improved straps and to reach out for support if they encounter any problems with their current units.

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