• Immersive Wire
  • Posts
  • The Immersive Wire - 26 January 2022 (News edition)

The Immersive Wire - 26 January 2022 (News edition)

The Immersive Wire - 26 January 2022 (News edition)

January 26, 2022

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

// 26 January 2022

Currently gauging if there is interest in a networking event in London to celebrate the book launch, on 2 February. If you are interested, register your interest here (takes 30 secs to fill). 

 

MAIN STORYTaking a byte out of the NFT pie

VIVEPORT is launching VIVE BYTES, an NFT marketplace

  • My cynicism with NFTs is that they do not adequately contribute to immersive technologies or the metaverse. With the amount of rug pulls and unclear value proposition, I find it interesting that more and more companies are repivoting towards becoming a metaverse play. 

  • HTC also wishes to tap into the trend - with a twist. Joseph Lin, general manager at VIVEPORT, said, “NFTs are changing how we think about identity and ownership, and VIVE BYTES is at the forefront of unlocking the potential of creative works and making digital works more accessible for consumers and creators. Following the launch of the world’s first Cat Art online exhibition with our partners last year, we’re delivering new formats of CAT ART NFTs – enabling visitors to grow and diversify their collection of digital works.”

  • I am curious to see how it integrates as part of wider immersive technologies. If these NFTs translate to ownership across multiple virtual platforms, I can see the strength of it. But as of yet, it is a nice-to-have as opposed to a fully-integrated implementation. We will see. 

 Meta showcased their AI supercomputer that can

  • Some articles wrongly suggest it will power the metaverse. The actual wording is that it will "pave the way toward building technologies for the next major computing platform... where AI-driven applications and products will play an important role." So the wording is more about how it will help create new user experiences, rather than directly support the metaverse itself. Think of it more as a supporter rather than a foundational element. 

  • Still, it shows Meta's commitment to innovating the company. When your work relies on cutting-edge innovation, and compute power is more an edge than ever, then the supercomputer will grant Meta a significant edge. 

The Metaverse: A Professional Guide sorts the sense from the nonsense, giving experts insights and guidance on how to navigate the burgeoning world of immersive technologies. By the end, you will have a firm grasp of the metaverse and all the contingent technologies that link to its foundations.Out 2 February. Keep an eye on this newsletter for exclusive peeks and updates. 

OTHER STORIESDowning Sprite while shooting zombies 

Got a story? Pop me an email at tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com. 

  • China's IP regulator has been denying metaverse patents. 

    • According to an anonymous source cited from the South China Morning Post: "The recent action taken by China’s intellectual property (IP) regulator showed a deliberate strategy to deal with the rush of metaverse-related applications, while preventing trademark squatting and misunderstanding among consumers."

    • An intriguing development that I will follow closely. 

  • Dent Reality rolled out their AR shopping app with M&S. 

  • Google may be building an AR headset.

    • Treat with a pinch of salt. 

  • Holo-Museum is a collection of six museums across four countries, and by using 3D glasses, it can bring immersive content to students.

  • Obsess found that 70% of people who visit a virtual store made purchases.

    • A high number, and another indicator that immersive technologies - like AR - help to move units. 

  • Ready Player Me and PIXELYNX (deadmau5 founded) announced a partnership to bring RPM’s avatars to PIXELYNX.

  • Roblox pays $430,000 annual base salary for some of their roles, a remarkably high sum.

    • If you can code for 'metaverse' applications, you are set. 

  • Sprite partnered with Latto and the Atlanta Hawks to launch a series of immersive, high-tech experiences.

  • UNIT9 launched M.A.D (Metaverse Advisory Dept.) to bring an end-to-end and maker’s perspective to metaverse development. 

  • Varjo announced the addition of cloud streaming to its Varjo Reality Cloud platform.

  • Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is getting a sequel. 

  • The State of the AR/VR survey is now live, powered by SlashData. The survey is a chance to influence the trends of tomorrow and make an impact on the ecosystem. In return, you could enter prize draws to win new AR/VR gear. For every completed response, the State of the AR/VR  survey is donating money on your behalf to a charity of your choice. To help, answer a few questions & win new gear.*

*This is a sponsored item from SlashData. 

Jobs boardSENIOR COMPUTER SCIENCE and SOFTWARE DEVELOPER (3D, Linear Algebra, C++).  MetaVRse is a web-based 3D game engine for building immersive experiences without needing to code.   We are looking for a unicorn computer scientist from anywhere in the world who can help us improve 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. Apply Here.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.

Refer a friend today

Enjoy the newsletter? Consider sharing it around! Just one referral gives you and the referred a free PDF copy of The Immersive Reality Revolution. Just share the link below, and you get the book. 

How to redeem: Copy and paste your personal referral link to others, then receive the PDF when they sign up:

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!