The Immersive Wire - 2 January 2022 (Sunday edition)

By Tom FfiskeVR/AR and metaverse analysis every Wednesday and Sunday 

// 2 January 2022

Happy new year! In Austria, they melt wax and interpret the future by observing its melted shape. By the looks of it, mine will be a bubbly mess.

Invest to own a part of the future of exercise in the Metaverse

MAIN STORYNew years predictions

Happy new year! As we enter the new year, it only makes sense to make some predictions for 2022, and then laugh at them when 2023 comes around the corner. My predictions for the year, from the safest to the most risky: SAFE PREDICTION: Enterprise VR will be the most stable and growing area. While consumer VR will continue to see a consistent uptick in interest - particularly with the bounce of Meta Quest headsets bought over Christmas - the most profitable area will still be enterprise applications and training. As a relatively developed area linked to wealthy customers, it will continue its safe trajectory. LESS SAFE BUT STILL STABLE: AR creatives will continue to flourish and their value will increase. More and more agencies are tapping into an array of AR-related skills as part of their work campaigns. The applications range from OOH scans where projects leap from boards to posters in warehouses for training. As agencies are still experimenting with the medium, we will see a consistent rise in interest for high-quality creatives, and it will likely not die down. MID-TIER RISKY PREDICTION: Metaverse discussions will move away from fluff and more towards nuance. I admit this is more hope rather than a prediction, but I hope that discussions will ebb towards an actual focus on how the metaverse is being built by companies, and a collaborative focus on next steps. Less faff, more facts. MID-TIER RISKY PREDICTION: A new competitor will release a consumer VR headset which is almost on par with Meta when it comes to price. The market is incredibly price-elastic, and the key competitive differentiator for shoppers is price (rather than quality or content). In 2022 we may see a headset that comes close to Meta's costs - though not quite reach it due to the sheer subsidies that Meta provides their own platform's development. Predictions continue after the sponsored message. 

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TOP STORIES (cont.) 

Some more predictions to shoot my foot with later in the year 

RISKY PREDICTION: We will see an AR application on par with Niantic's ventures. We are seeing a drastic proliferation of geo-AR applications which use the real world. While Pokemon Go was a mainstay for so long,  a mass of developers have been experimenting with their own creations as well - many of which could cut through as they bubble up from the dark. With the developer tools out there, such as Lightship, we may see an incredible piece of activity rise up in 2022. The game will be linked to a major IP, rather than an original work. RISKY PREDICTION: No consumer AR glasses will sell well. While we will see a few releases in 2022, some delayed due to ongoing supply-chain issues, none will sell well and sit in a first-generation slump. That is not to say they won't be good; many would be incredible and visionary. But due to lack of content, high, prices, and no obvious utility for families, it will be regulated to the wealthy first-adopters of tech. HYPER-RISKY PREDICTION: A China-based company will launch a VR headset and attempt to reach the US audience. VR is currently strongest in the US, while China is a very different market with differing needs and desires. A major company will attempt to expand in the US, but may find challenges as it does not mesh with US tastes. Thanks all for reading! If you find any disagreeable, feel free to hit me up via email and let's chat. 

Jobs boardSENIOR COMPUTER SCIENCE and SOFTWARE DEVELOPER (3D, Linear Algebra, C++). We are looking for a unicorn computer scientist from anywhere in the world who can help build the core rendering technology that will serve creators to build custom products in training, marketing, sales, retail and learning in photorealistic, real-time 3D delivered on any device in a browser. Working with our Head of R&D, you will be responsible for creating and implementing new 3D graphics solutions to push the limits of our technology stack.  Solid understanding of Real-time 3D libraries (OpenGL, Vulkan), Linear Algebra, C++ and 3D rendering and game engine technologies. To apply, contact info (at) metavrse (dot) com. XR SOFTWARE ENGINEER NETWORKING, Wikitude, a Qualcomm company. Qualcomm is a company of inventors that unlocked 5G ushering in an age of rapid acceleration in connectivity. Under this dynamic umbrella, Wikitude, a Qualcomm company, shapes the future of augmented reality by empowering businesses and developers. We are looking for an experienced XR Software Engineer Networking to drive the architecture, development, and deployment of core parts of our XR toolkit. A successful candidate has extensive experience in multiplayer streaming and can apply it to XR experiences. Do you have a solid technical background, a passion for the XR industry, and enjoy working with engineering teams? Apply hereXR CONTENT DIRECTOR, Pixo VR. The VR marketplace is exploding, and PIXO is leading the way in on-demand generation and adoption in our industry. With our groundbreaking PIXO ApexTM platform, we provide comprehensive, end-to-end VR content, distribution, and management solutions for enterprise. PIXO VR is searching for an XR Content Director to join our team. Reporting to the COO, the Content Director will manage the overall production, procurement and growth strategy for our XR content library. Working with a team of offshore and onshore designers, engineers, artists, marketers, and 3rd party content developers, the Content Director will ensure PIXO is delivering an exceptional content experience to all our end users. Check out further details here. SDK TECHNICAL ENGINEER, Pico Interactive Europe. As SDK Technical Engineer you will be responsible for investigating/troubleshooting issues reported, and collecting/consolidating customer requirements back to the Beijing DevSupport team. Through this role you will be the technical liaison between Pico Interactive Europe customers and Pico product teams to ensure Europe region's commercial success. In Europe, Pico is one of the premier enterprise hardware companies in the rapidly growing VR market. Click here for more.TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER, Pico Interactive Europe. As Technical Project Manager you will be responsible for evaluating improvements to the devices, services, logistics, and operations to continue the high growth business of Pico Interactive Europe. In Europe, Pico is one of the premier enterprise hardware companies in the rapidly growing VR market. The Pico Europe business is responsible for all business opportunities in Europe, Israel, Russian Federation and India. Click here for more. DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER. ArborXR is device management for AR & VR devices. We power some of the largest headset deployments in the world with Fortune 500, ISVs and companies around the world. Looking for someone with experience in the B2B SAAS marketing space who would enjoy working with a fully remote team based in the US, Canada and Europe. Would join a quickly growing marketing team with a hot product that is selling rapidly. Click here for more. WEB-AR DEVELOPER wanted to work with veteran AR agency. Experience in JavaScript, Three.js, A-Frame, and 8th Wall preferred. Ideal candidate thrives working remotely. Includes competitive salary and full benefits. To apply, send resume to [email protected].INTERNSHIP, US. The intern will be primarily focused on developing proficiency in the use and application of tools designed for experiences in VR/AR headsets. GRIP-IE interns will assist the Get Real management team and clients in the design, development, and implementation of features within both internal and partner platforms. Interns will follow industry best practices including continuous improvement through code reviews of existing and new code. GRIP-IE interns will also be responsible for managing communication with software vendors on a variety of topics including bug identification, feature requests, troubleshooting, and documentation materials. Click here for more. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, UK. Here at CIRCUS (an award-winning creative agency, specialists of Virtual Brand Experiences) we're on the lookout for an enthusiastic B2B Business Development Manager on a part-time, remote basis. If this sounds of interest and you love all things virtual, we'd love to tell you more. Click here for more. Display your vacancy in front of thousands of talented VR/AR professionals in just a few clicks. Click here for more info.

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That's all for this week! Want to have a chat, let me know about a news story, or talk business? Either reply to this email, or contact tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com. Have an excellent day!