Executive summary
Welcome to your weekly briefing on the metaverse and spatial computing. Here are your snippets to sound smarter in meetings this week:
Headline: Apple Vision Pro will not have dedicated YouTube or Netflix apps (analysis below).
Also, pre-orders for the headset sold out.
Interesting read: Why VR/AR companies hit the Seed Stage problem.
Candidates board: Two new additions to the candidates board, all looking for new roles.
Other stories: Interpol released a report on metaverse-related crimes, the US Space Force signed a $19.8m contract with Microsoft to develop an immersive training environment, and Magic Leap raised over $500m from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (more stories below).
I’m nearly four years late to Ted Lasso, but I am LOVING it so far. One line I chimed with: “You could fill two internets with what I don’t know about football.”
Analysis
Apple Vision Pro will not have dedicated YouTube or Netflix apps.
“YouTube users will be able to use YouTube in Safari on the Vision Pro,” according to a YouTube spokesperson.
Is this bad? It’s not the brightest sign. Early buy-in from companies is typically important for the success of a new platform. If companies are not bought in from an early stage, then it’s a steeper uphill climb to get new users. See how much the Wii U struggled when not all developers made games for the system.
On the other hand, does YouTube need a dedicated app? If users are using Safari, then it is ok to open a new window and play some YouTube. I do not use a cinematic mode for watching it on my own VR headsets.
On the OTHER other hand, Netflix is a sore loss. The Apple Vision Pro could be a great media consumption device (sans the two-hour battery life), so losing a main streaming partner could damage its potential impact.
Other notable stories
Got any stories? Let me know at tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com.
The European Parliament approved two reports on immersive technologies.
hundo was announced as an associated organisation for Coldplay’s “Music Of The Spheres” World Tour.
Interpol released a report on metaverse-related crimes.
Magic Leap raised over $500m from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Osso VR announced that Osso Academy, the company’s graduate medical education training offering, added five new modules to its medical training library.
RAF improves helicopter training with VR.
Upland Metaverse generated $13.5m in 2023 from property sales and gameplay.
The US Space Force signed a $19.8m contract with Microsoft to develop an immersive training environment.
Help corner
If you have a problem that you think could be solved by another reader of The Immersive Wire and would like to be connected, let me know at tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com.
Note: The Immersive Wire is run by Tom Ffiske, who also works within Accenture’s metaverse group. The contents of the newsletter should not be regarded as Accenture’s views.
