The Immersive Wire - 9 March 2022 (News edition)

By Tom Ffiske

VR/AR and metaverse analysis every Wednesday and Sunday // 9 March 2022

Black Public Media funds and supports Black creative technologists

TOP STORIESHopping on trends like a surfboard crashing into a wave

Google Trends is finding that interest in the metaverse as a term is cooling off.

• Not a surprise, but let's break down the data a little more. What it tells us is that there are less people are hearing about the term and googling items in relation to it. This may mean is that we are transitioning from the surface-level exploration of the metaverse, to a more in-depth phase where the inputs are more complex and drive into greater detail on the topic.

• For companies, it is an opportunity to optimise for long-tail keywords. Identify a phrase that potential customers will be using, and optimise an article for it as much as possible. The volume may be lower, but it is more likely to convert into a new customer in the long-term.

• I say this because companies may be tempted to write articles like 'what is the metaverse.' I would not, because while the volume may be higher, it will be highly competitive and is less likely to convert for your business. Do your research on search intention, and your immersive-related business may soar.

SXSW will have a lot of metaverse-related hype.

• Again this is not a surprise, but I also expect to see a lot of gimmicks as well.

• I am looking for the projects and experiences that have true resonance and actual engagement, and with the hype around SXSW, I hope to see some great projects out of the event.

The BPMplus Initiative aims to increase the participation of Black filmmakers and artists working in XR, AI, 3D, and other forms of emerging-tech storytelling. BPMplus programs include: Immersive Day at PitchBlack 2022, the MIT & Black Public Media Visiting Artists Program, the Nonso Christian Ugbode Fellowship, XR mixers and classes, BPMplus Fellowships, and Pop-up XR Theaters.Learn more about BPMplus here.

OTHER STORIESWhat else is happening?

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

• Dispelix and AAC Technologies Holdings announced a strategic partnership.

• Dokidoki is developing an 'audio metaverse' platform called the Cubemint, designed for the visually impaired.

  • I am not sure what an audio metaverse is either, but it's one application I fully support.

• ENGAGE XR revenue are up 68%, as VR demand increases.

• Exeter Library launched an AR experience in collaboration with James Bond author Kim Sherwood.

  • I have a soft spot for this as I attended the university some time ago.

• Liteboxer VR, a virtual fitness app, launched in the Quest Store.

• Magnopus won an award for Best Use of AR, given to Expo Dubai Xplorer.

• Movella’s Xsens released an update to their MVN offerings.

• Muse launched a VR Software Development Kit (SDK) and new EEG headband, designed for VR headsets.

• NextTech AR launched their human hologram creator app, Aritize Holograms.

• OliveX announced a partnership with TRAX to provide a range of experiences.

• StoryFutures Academy announced that four immersive media prototypes, developed as part of the UK-Canada Immersive Exchange, will have their first public preview at SXSW.

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. RENDERING AND C++ ENGINEER, 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 the XR Software Engineer Design to design, test, and implement core parts of the Wikitude XR toolkit – particularly rendering pipelines for XR systems. Do you have a high affinity for real-time rendering pipelines and optimizing code to fit 16ms (or less)? Learn more and apply! SENIOR 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.  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!