The Immersive Wire - 3 November 2021 (News edition)

By Tom FfiskeCurated VR/AR analysis every Wednesday and Sunday 

// 3 November 2021

Finished reading Circe; the writing was better than Song of Achilles, though the last part felt slower. Still a fantastic read.

IMVERSE Holo software for LIVE volumetric video capture

TOP STORIESMicrosoft's definition of the metaverse

Microsoft is exploring its own version of the metaverse, with new integrations with Microsoft Teams.

• The announcement provides further evidence that there are different interpretations of the metaverse. While Meta is doubling down on the social element, Microsoft is dressing up in a suit and exploring the business potential of the space. It may well be that we are seeing two smaller versions of the metaverse. A 'true' macro-metaverse would be one where both companies operate within a singular space, or there are two separate spaces that are interoperable with one another. But for now, it's as divided as Halo on Xbox and Fortnite on PS5. 

• As their official blog mentions, 'the metaverse can help people meet up in a digital environment, make meetings more comfortable with the use of avatars and facilitate creative collaboration from all around the world.'

• It's worth mentioning that the blog also mentions that there will be multiple metaverses, rather than a monolithic macro-metaverse. This may disappoint some people, but it is reasonable to expect multiple competing versions to exist in the future, in much the same way that there are multiple competing social media companies today. It is also more likely, in my view. 

• Mesh will work with Microsoft Teams, so users will be able to roam about and interact with digital avatars, with the benefit of spatial audio. Think of it like business Runescape, where people can hop into a meeting and converse while roaming around a virtual world. 

• The suite of releases will come next year. 

The aLIVE METAverse is here!

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OTHER NEWSAdditional stories across the industry

Want to have your story appear here? If you want to be featured, email me at tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com or reply to this newsletter.

• BFI launched Green Light, an exhibit focusing on Climate Change. 

  • Attending the event, we saw 21-22 China, a soaring outlook on how the country's landscape has changed from vistas to skyscrapers. Another was Genesis, which showed a virtual timeline of the earth within a singular day - and how we appeared in the most recent portion. Nine Earths showed an audiovisual array of accounts relating to climate change. Finally, What is Left of Reality provided a visual breakdown of how reality is breaking, piece by piece. All were great, and all are worth a see in London this week.

• Flipkart announced a partnership with Snap to expand its augmented reality-led e-commerce experience for millions of its customers across the country.

• Nvidia is banking on the metaverse, thinking it will play to their strengths for building metaverses (software) and graphics cards (hardware). 

• Polygon Studios welcomed Matthew Ball to the advisory team.

• PrecisionOS expanded its network of medical device collaborators with the addition of NuVasive.

• Taqtile announced new enhancements for the Magic Leap wearable computer and RealWear headset. 

• The Sandbox announced it has secured $93m in its Series B fundraising round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, representing the fund’s first investment in crypto assets.

• Tonic Games Australia announced the release of Forest Farm on Steam, Oculus Rift Store, and App Lab on 3 November. 

• Vertigo Games announced that After the Fall is coming to PlayStation VR, PC VR, and Oculus Quest 2 on 9 December. 

Jobs boardNEW - 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. NEW - 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. 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Click here for more.ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN DIGITAL MEDIA, UK. We are looking to appoint a dynamic and adaptable course director for our BA (Hons) in Digital Media to lead and deliver teaching, learning and assessment on the BA Digital Media and steer  its next phase of growth.  As well as a track record of academic leadership you will have extensive practical experience in digital media such as immersive storytelling (AR/VR/XR), modelling and animation, creative media design / production, or web / mobile app design and development. Click here for more.SENIOR IMMERSIVE LEARNING DESIGNER, UK. Make Real is looking to expand our digital learning team with a Senior Immersive Learning Designer. Your role will be to consult with clients in order to create exciting and imaginative design solutions. Your designs will affect behaviour change in order to deliver on specific learning outcomes, while being achievable within a set budget and timeline. 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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!