The Immersive Wire - 7 November 2021 (Sunday edition)

By Tom FfiskeCurated VR/AR analysis every Wednesday and Sunday

// 7 November 2021

Eternals was pretty boring; a slow build-up that leads to a flaccid finish.

IMVERSE Holo software for LIVE volumetric video capture

MAIN STORYMultiple definitions of the metaverse

The most unique element of the metaverse is that it has more definitions than anything else, yet it is still incredibly vague and opaque. The more multiple entities try to define it, the less concrete and based in reality it is. It makes sense, considering how new it is and how pioneering companies are still exploring it themselves, but it is only confusing a populace who are still getting used to the new term. What's even less helpful is that Microsoft and Meta both have different definitions. While Meta is focusing on the social element (shocker), Microsoft is focusing on the business-to-business aspect. Both directions make sense; one wants people to connect people together more effectively, while the other wants workers to collaborate effectively to reach their productive potential. As Microsoft's 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.'Two different definitions are fine for an early stage of technology development. While the future is fuzzy and ill-defined, it makes sense for multiple actors to have a gander at what it will bring - and have a first-mover's advantage on its services. But the clatter of press releases and videos will confuse the public's thoughts on what the metaverse actually is, littering the sea of innovations with murky waters.The cultural significance of one definition by a singular company is difficult to pin down. Perhaps it would be innocuous, a bragging point that fills one PowerPoint slide a few decades from now. But the discussions are worth having. We now have one company so intertwined with the metaverse that they are called Meta, and a slew of start-ups and large-scale organisations pitching their points into the fray. Who can predict the cultural benefits of one company successfully leading the way? We won't know the significance or value of the discussions until we are sipping cocktails in the virtual Maldives. But by the time the dust settles, and the metaverse has an actual shape, then the debate will be over.

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The aLIVE METAverse is here!

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Q&ABuilding out WebXR

Trevor Flowers, Principal at Transmutable

What is your background?I generally focus on how we become a more reasonable and competent species. My education and career has been a somewhat random walk through computer science, design, and the business of invention with stints in industrial research labs like Xerox PARC, tech startups like Be (maker of BeOS), exploration teams like Mozilla MR, standards efforts like the WebXR Device API, and within my own companies like Transmutable.What are you working on, and what’s a key learning that you’ve had from it? Despite continuing to work on projects like the recent WebXR Developer Summit, the Immersive Web Weekly, the Transmutable Swan, and manufacturing innovation for trustworthy wearable hardware, I’m actually on sabbatical! This is my best attempt at a resting state, if you can believe it.Like many people, the current global pandemic has thrown me for a loop and so it seems like a good time to pause and revisit old assumptions. My understanding of humanity has been changed by seeing so many of us choose to deny scientific consensus and purposefully threaten the health of others. We’re clinging to the thinnest of comforts regardless of their global consequences and it’s a fragile situation. I’m still knitting that information into my worldview and honestly, I’m not sure what’s next for me.It’s uncomfortable to be quiet and listen to my heart but it’s the only way I know how to take the next step.If you had to give one piece of advice, what would you give? I have been incredibly lucky to work with whole-hearted people on positive projects. Almost all of that has been situational and out of my control with tiny nudges coming from my effort. If I have any advice it’s to keep in mind that everyone (including you!) is working with simplified and inconsistent models of the dynamic and chaotic churn of reality. Keep an eye out for systems that help our finite minds and cultures become more reasonable and competent.If you want to know more about Trevor Flowers, then click here to find out more.

Jobs boardDIGITAL 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. SENIOR WEBXR ENGINEER, US. Build a human-centric metaverse with a stellar team at www.urnowhere.com. Full-Time Position, Fully Remote Team, Core hours (10AM-5PM EST). NOWHERE aims to revolutionize gathering with patent-pending video presence technology that allows serendipitous social mingling between conversations with friends or colleagues at conferences, meetings, or parties all within dynamic web environments. Nowhere combines expertise from veteran founders, experience experts, engineers, game designers, theatre-makers, VFX artists from Windmill Factory to build a healthier digital future. Please share with anyone you think might be interested. JOIN NOWHERE.FULL STACK DEVELOPER, remote position. Looking for a competent Software Engineer with 4+ years of industry experience to join our dedicated Web development team. This talented individual must have a vision and drive and must not be afraid to back big ideas. Click here for more. SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER (Node.js), remote position. Looking for a competent Senior Software Engineer with 5+ years of industry experience to join our dedicated Web development team. This talented individual must have a vision and drive and must not be afraid to back big ideas. Click here for more. SENIOR DEVELOPER (VUE.JS), remote Position. Looking for an experienced JavaScript developer who is highly skilled with Vue.js. You will be joining our Web development team to develop and enhance customer facing Web Applications, where you will be responsible for following best practices to produce modular and maintainable code. Click here for more. QA LEAD, remote positions available. Looking for a competent QA Lead with 2+ years of industry experience to join our dedicated QA Team in Waterford. This talented individual must have a vision and drive and must not be afraid to back big ideas. Click here for more. SENIOR UNITY GAME DEVELOPER, remote position. Looking for a competent Senior Unity Developer to join our team with 5+ years industry experience. The talented individual must have vision and drive and must not be afraid to back big ideas. Click here for more.  SENIOR PRODUCT OWNER, remote position. Looking for a competent Product Owner. This talented individual must have a vision and drive and must not be afraid to back big ideas. Click here for more. UI DESIGNER, remote position. Looking for a competent UI Designer. This talented individual must have a vision and drive and must not be afraid to back big ideas. Click here for more. UX DESIGNER, remote position. Are you looking for a unique challenge working in virtual & augmented reality with a bleeding-edge technology company? Then read on. 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. Click here for more. SENIOR UNITY DEVELOPER, UK. As a growing and exciting business, we are looking for full-time talented multi-disciplinary Unity developers to join our expert team in central Brighton. Our ideal candidates will have a broad range of technical experience with a proven track record of delivering interactive Virtual & Augmented Reality projects across a range of HMD & mobile hardware. Working as part of our existing team of designers and artists, the roles will primarily involve the delivery of VR/AR projects for our global clients. 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!