Google tool helps developers create XR experiences

Google has released a tool called Immersive Stream for XR that makes it easier for developers to create mixed-reality experiences.

Earlier this week, the company held an event where it demonstrated a new “immersive view” in Google Maps that uses advances in AI and computer vision to fuse billions of Street View and other images to create a detailed 3D model of locations. Impressively, it even works indoors to allow users to check out a venue like a restaurant before they...

10 February 2023 | Developer

Further details emerge about Apple’s first AR/VR headset

Apple is set to launch its first AR/VR headset this year and we’re starting to get more details about what to expect.

We’ve known for some time that the mixed reality headset is set to pack M2 and H2 chips, adjustable lenses, two 4K displays, a 120-degree field-of-view, and feature more than 10 external and internal cameras to offer a seamless transition between VR and AR.

As expected with such hardware specs, the headset won’t be cheap. Expectations put the cost...

4 January 2023 | App Stores

Apple may unveil its mixed reality headset in January

We could finally see Apple’s much-anticipated mixed reality headset in just a couple of months.

According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is gearing up to unveil the headset early next year. The headset is expected to offer a seamless transition between virtual and augmented reality.

Unlike efforts from Meta, Apple has reportedly designed its mixed reality headset for short stints of communication, content viewing, and gaming. The metaverse is...

15 November 2022 | Gaming

Niantic brings Lightship VPS to the web

Niantic has brought its Lightship VPS (Visual Positioning System) to the web as part of the AR giant’s 8th Wall platform.

Lightship aims to bring Niantic’s vast experience building AR experiences like Ingress and Pokemon Go to third-party developers. The tooling provided by Niantic is helping developers to break down the barriers between the real and virtual worlds.

“At Niantic, we believe that the real-world metaverse should get people exploring and connecting in...

22 September 2022 | Developer

Kuo: Apple will hold its mixed reality headset event in January

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will hold a special event for its mixed reality headset in January.

The analyst says tools for developers will launch “2-4 weeks after the event” and pre-orders will begin in Q2 2023.

https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1534063922852302849

Last month, Kuo warned excited Apple fans not to expect the much-anticipated mixed reality headset at this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Indeed, the headset...

7 June 2022 | iOS

Kuo: Don’t expect Apple’s mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says not to expect Apple’s anticipated mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022.

Kuo’s comment arrives after a trademark filing for ‘RealityOS’ – Apple’s OS for its mixed reality headset – was uncovered. The filing suggests an official announcement of the headset is getting close, but Apple isn’t quite ready for the grand reveal.

https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1531518877498490880

As with any current hardware launch,...

1 June 2022 | iOS

ARCore Geospatial API helps developers build immersive experiences

During I/O 2022, Google launched its ARCore Geospatial API to help developers build more immersive, richer, and more useful experiences.

Augmented reality experiences are beginning to gain traction beyond Pokémon Go. Now there are AR apps for making floorplans, seeing how furnishings will look in your home, understanding the world around you, and even getting real-time information about the night sky.

Google showed off enhancements to its own AR solution, Lens, during...

12 May 2022 | Android

Niantic acquires WebAR experts 8th Wall to expand metaverse platform

Niantic is continuing its evolution from an AR game developer to a complete platform for building metaverse experiences.

Once upon a time, Niantic was an exciting but relatively unknown company behind the pioneering (and highly underrated) AR game Ingress. Niantic then released Pokemon Go and was catapulted into the spotlight.

The hype around Pokemon Go may have faded but Niantic hasn’t stopped working. The company has been using its experience in live, large-scale AR...

11 March 2022 | Development Tools

Apple accidentally confirms ‘realityOS’ for its AR/VR headset

Apple has accidentally confirmed the existence of realityOS, an operating system for its unannounced AR/VR headset.

In open-source code pushed to GitHub by Apple this morning… well, just take a look:

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1491266972226490368

The company is said to have been working on an AR/VR headset for many years. The headset is said to offer an innovative experience with “seamless” switching between AR and VR modes.

All the...

9 February 2022 | Platforms

Kuo: Apple’s AR headset to have ‘significantly higher’ computing power than iPhone

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the expected Apple AR headset will have “significantly higher” computing power than iPhone.

In a research note for investors, Kuo wrote: “Our latest survey indicates that each Apple AR/MR headset will adopt two CPUs made of 4nm and 5nm... which is higher than our previous estimation and market consensus of one."

The computing power of the device will mean that it will use the same 96W charger used for the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The...

11 January 2022 | Gaming