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| Today's Metaverse brief: - Google's restructuring of its Devices & Services teams will include layoffs in the AR hardware division.
- Siemens has partnered with Sony, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft to develop the industrial metaverse.
- Soundscape's VR music platform, launched at CES 2024, revitalizes the metaverse concept with immersive virtual concerts.
Thank you! Vildana
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| 1 | | Google's restructuring of its Devices & Services teams, which includes Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, will involve layoffs in the AR hardware division. With ongoing initiatives in Lens and Maps and a partnership with Samsung for an Android XR headset, Google remains committed to AR. More: - Previously, Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit operated independently with separate teams for design, hardware engineering, and software.
- The new functional organization model will have a single team for hardware engineering across all Google hardware products.
- Fitbit co-founders James Park, Eric Friedman, and other Fitbit leaders are leaving Google.
- Google's shift from in-house AR hardware development suggests a stronger focus on OEM partnerships.
Zoom Out: - In June, Business Insider suggested that Google was discontinuing Project Iris, its multi-year AR headset initiative.
- In 2020, Google acquired North, a Canadian startup specializing in AR glasses.
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| 2 | | What the numbers say: As of July 2023, the town-themed "RPG Brookhaven" ranked the most popular game on Roblox, attracting nearly 34.44 billion visits. In comparison, the pet simulator game "Adopt Me!" secured the second position with 33.71 billion visits, followed by "Tower of Hell." Relevance: In November 2023, a group of families initiated a class action lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, echoing similar legal actions taken by civil groups against major tech companies. The lawsuit charges Roblox with "negligent misrepresentation and false advertising," alleging that the platform, marketed for children, exposes underage users to inappropriate or explicit content and facilitates inappropriate interactions. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Roblox misleads parents into overspending, citing obscured pricing and the ease with which children can make in-game purchases using the virtual currency "Robux." Impact: Roblox, traditionally seen as a children's gaming platform, has been expanding its appeal to adult gamers through celebrity and brand collaborations. Despite this shift, its user base remains predominantly Gen Z, with over half its 70 million users aged 13+. The platform's popularity is partly due to its customizability, offering millions of games and virtual "experiences" for social interaction. However, it faces criticism for inadequate management of its expansive game library, with concerns raised by Common Sense Media in 2022 about the presence of violence, inappropriate content, and "online daters." | | |
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| 3 | | Siemens has partnered with Sony, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft to develop the industrial metaverse. This initiative, unveiled at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, aims to integrate Siemens' Xcelerator portfolio with Sony's spatial content creation system and Amazon's AI services, enhancing industrial and other user experiences. More: - Siemens' collaboration with Sony includes the XR head-mounted display with 4K OLED microdisplays for interactive 3D object manipulation.
- The Siemens NX Immersive Designer, integrating Siemens' NX software and Sony technology, is expected to launch in 2024.
- Siemens' partnership with Amazon Web Services focuses on building scalable generative AI applications.
- The industrial metaverse concept includes AI, digital twins, cloud, and edge computing to optimize processes and drive sustainable practices.
Zoom Out: - Developing low-code platforms, like Siemens' Mendix, is crucial for democratizing access to metaverse technologies.
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| 4 | | Soundscape's VR music platform, launched at CES 2024, revitalizes the metaverse concept with immersive virtual concerts featuring artists like Deadmau5, Slash, and Evanescence. This platform, built on Unreal Engine 5, offers an interactive audiovisual environment where users can explore and experience performances using personalized avatars. More: - Initially launched in 2017, Soundscape is now updated with enhanced graphics and play mechanics using Unreal Engine 5.
- The platform simulates a virtual music festival, allowing users to interact and experience VR performances.
- Soundscape's audio-reactive AI engine syncs the metaverse's lights and visual effects with user-selected music from streaming services.
- The platform is priced at $39.99 and will be available on Steam for VR and PC starting Jan. 23, 2024.
Zoom Out: - Avenged Sevenfold last month announced their plans to debut a new VR concert in early 2024.
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| 5 | | RealWear has commenced shipping its Navigator Z1 smart glasses, touted as the "world's most advanced" intrinsically safe head-mounted wearable. The device, running on Android 12 OS, is designed for use in hazardous environments and has garnered significant pre-orders globally, particularly from the oil and gas industry. More: - The Navigator Z1 is certified with ATEX and IECEx IS, ensuring its suitability for hazardous zones.
- The device's design allows customization, such as adding an IS-certified thermal camera and swappable battery.
- The Navigator Z1 is part of RealWear's Navigator Series, which includes the Navigator 500 and 520, aimed at hands-free frontline work.
- Launched in 2021, the Navigator 500 was deployed by the NHS for surgical training in October 2023.
Zoom Out: - In April 2023, RealWear announced it would remain private, canceling its public offering plans that had valued the AR company at $376M.
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| 6 | | TripAdvisor is set to launch a metaverse experience, enabling users to virtually explore popular destinations like Paris, Dubai, and New York City before booking their trips. This innovative approach aims to democratize travel by allowing users to "try before they buy," enhancing travel planning and dreaming stages. More: - TripAdvisor's metaverse initiative, developed in partnership with MeetKai, was announced at the CES conference in Las Vegas.
- The experience will feature digital twins of famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the catacombs in Paris.
- The metaverse will potentially include e-commerce, gaming, and social elements, offering a comprehensive digital travel experience.
- The metaverse will be web-based and accessible on various devices, allowing users to create custom avatars for interaction.
Zoom Out: - Other travel companies, like Marriott Bonvoy and Travelzoo, are also exploring metaverse applications in travel.
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- Ahead of Meta's 20th anniversary, founder Mark Zuckerberg has shifted his primary focus to the company's AI initiatives, moving away from the metaverse.
- India's Web3 industry anticipates the Union Budget to be presented on Feb. 1, hoping for fair virtual asset policies, clear regulations, and government support for blockchain projects.
- MESHfair's 2024 Open Call invites 3D, Metaverse, and VR artists to compete.
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| | Vildana Bijedic Freelance | | This newsletter was curated by Vildana. In addition to Inside Daily Brief, she also contributes to Inside Metaverse. She holds an MSc from the London School of Economics (LSE). You can reach her at [email protected] or her social media platforms, Twitter or LinkedIn. | | This newsletter was edited by Aaron Crutchfield |
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