The Immersive Wire - 23 March 2022 (News edition)

The Immersive Wire - 23 March 2022 (News edition)

March 23, 2022

By Tom Ffiske

VR/AR and metaverse analysis every Wednesday and Sunday // 23 March 2022

TOP STORIESFunding and spying

Canon says AR (and AI) will be the

  • Not surprising that a camera company investing in AR says that AR is the future of storytelling, but hey ho.

  • But that said, it is worth noting that it is likely that storytelling will become more sophisticated and interesting over time. It is a matter of tools, which Canon is providing.

 Qualcomm Announces $100m

  • As reported on UploadVR, the company plans to invest up to $100m in studios working on gaming, health, media, entertainment, education and enterprise applications for headsets, as well as those working on “associated core augmented reality and related artificial intelligence technologies.”

  • If you're developing a metaverse-related technology, this may be your ticket in.

 Rokid closes $160m in

  • China is a market I follow closely, so it's important to follow the successes where they are. Rokid is one example, raising a huge amount as part of their growth.

  • The AR headset maker is exploring only enterprise use-cases, a lucrative area with plenty of room for growth.

  • One wonders if they will expand into Europe and beyond - but in any case, one to follow as closely as Pico.

Black Public Media plans to award $75K to creative technologists at PitchBLACK Forum, their long-running pitch competition. The winner will receive a $50K USD grant for their tech project, and the runner-up will receive $25K.

Five filmmakers and artists are scheduled to pitch at the live, online event, which takes place on April 27, 2022. Additional makers may be added to the lineup. Filmmakers from Brazil, Canada and the U.S. will pitch e-fabric, projection, and 360VR projects.

OTHER STORIESFunding and milestones

Got any stories? Let me know at tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com.

  • Ally launched a immersive Snapchat AR experience called the MILESTONE ARCHIVES.

  • Arvizio announced a suite of capabilities for the use of AR workflow automation for medical organisations.

  • BrandXR is one of eight businesses to participate in the seventh cohort of Morgan Stanley's Multicultural Innovation Lab.

  • Didimo offers the capabilities of creating bodies as part of its services.

    • Also, they announced that is teaming up with UKIE, the trade association for the United Kingdom’s games and interactive entertainment industry.

  • Inspired Education Group announced today its impending launch of a metaverse school for students around the world with US partner, VictoryXR.

  • Luxexcel and Lumus have co-developed a demonstrator of an AR prescription lens solution that enables OEMs to address users’ prescription requirements in their smart eyewear products.

  • Movella’s Xsens announced the latest MVN update, accelerating workflows worldwide by bringing industry-leading HD Reprocessing motion capture data to users faster.

  • PatchWorld, a VR music app, will launch this summer on Meta Quest 2.

  • RETìníZE closed a £2m seed round led by Sure Valley Ventures.

  • Tentacular will arrive on 24 March for Meta Quest and SteamVR.

  • Tilt Five announced a content partnership with Asmodee Digital, the international publisher and distributor of video games, subsidiary of the Asmodee Group.

  • Tommy Hilfiger is set to take part in Metaverse Fashion Week in partnership with Boson Protocol.

  • Vermillion is releasing on the Meta Quest Store this Thursday.

  • VRtuoso is now ARuVR.

  • XR Games announced the acquisition of VR pioneers Fierce Kaiju for an undisclosed sum.

  • YAHAHA announced it will launch in Early Alpha at the end of this month.

Jobs boardDISTRIBUTION AND TOURING PRODUCER. Marshmallow Laser Feast is looking for someone to join our team as a Distribution & Touring Producer. You will have a desire to work at the bleeding edge of immersive storytelling and help shape how that work is distributed globally. We see the development and distribution of MLF’s own work as key to the future success of the business, a key revenue stream and integral in building global brand awareness. This new role will be a vital part of the core team that formulates and realises this ambitious vision. Learn more. Find more roles here.

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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!