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Tag: Augmented Reality

  • Apple AR/VR Headset Still a Year Away

    Apple AR/VR Headset Still a Year Away

    Despite rumors saying Apple will release its long-rumored AR/VR headset at this year’s WWDC, a new report says it won’t appear until next year.

    Apple has been working on an AR/VR headset for some time, eager to spread its vision of how the metaverse should work. According to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s headset won’t be released until next year.

    It still takes some time before Apple AR/MR headset enters mass production, so I don’t think Apple will release AR/MR headset and rumored realityOS at WWDC this year. Apple’s competitors worldwide can’t wait to see the hardware spec and OS design for Apple’s AR/MR headset. — Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo), May 31, 2022

    I’m sure that if Apple announces AR/MR headset and its OS at WWDC, competitors will immediately kick off copycat projects and happily copy Apple’s excellent ideas, and hit the store shelves before Apple launches in 2023. — Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo), May 31, 2022

    Unlike some some companies, with a focus primarily on VR, Apple believes AR is the key, since it encourages interaction with the physical world. As a result, it’s a safe bet Apple’s headset will offer a unique take, compared to competitors’.

    Earlier reports indicated that Apple’s headset might be released at WWDC 2022. One of the supporting factors was the registration of a trademark for “realityOS” by a shell corporation likely tied to Apple. The trademark is being filed worldwide on June 8, coinciding with WWDC, which begins June 6.

    Despite that clue, Kuo has a well-earned reputation for accuracy, so it’s a safe bet we won’t see the headset this year.

  • realityOS: Apple’s AR/VR Plans Take Shape

    realityOS: Apple’s AR/VR Plans Take Shape

    On the verge of Apple’s WWDC 2022, a new trademark finally offers a glimpse into Apple’s augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) plans.

    First spotted by The Verge journalist Parker Ortolani, a trademark for “realityOS” has been filed by a shell company that has provided no proof of use.

    It cannot be a coincidence that the “realityOS” trademark owned by a company that seemingly doesn’t exist and is specifically for “wearable computer hardware” is being filed around the world on June 8, 2022 — Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani), May 28, 2022

    Apple has been rumored to be working on an AR/VR headset, and it is widely believed the company will be revealing it at WWDC. While “realityOS” has showed up in some of Apple’s source code, the trademark filing indicates it’s more than a codename, and likely the official name Apple will use for the version of iOS that will power its headset.

  • Internet Speeds Will Need a Major Boost for the Metaverse to Be a Reality

    Internet Speeds Will Need a Major Boost for the Metaverse to Be a Reality

    The metaverse — the convergence of virtual, augmented, and in-person reality — may be all the rage, but it needs faster internet speeds to succeed.

    Virtually every major tech company, including Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are racing to stake their claim in the metaverse. Even traditional companies are looking for ways to cash in, with JPMorgan opening a location in the metaverse.

    According to CNBC, however, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says “creating a true sense of presence in virtual worlds delivered to smart glasses and VR headsets will require massive advances in connectivity.”

    Similarly, Dan Rabinovitsj, VP of connectivity at Meta told CNBC that connectivity has been the bottleneck slowing down the development of the metaverse.

    “If you really look at the pace of innovation in the telecom world, compared to other markets, it’s been harder to go faster in this space,” Rabinovitsj said. “One of the things that we’ve tried to change is that trajectory of innovation.”

    Meta’s comments echo ones from Intel, in which that company’s executive identified computation power as another major bottleneck that needs to be addressed before the metaverse can truly thrive.

  • Meta Introduces Personal Boundary Space in Virtual Reality

    Meta Introduces Personal Boundary Space in Virtual Reality

    Meta has announced it is introducing Personal Boundary for virtual reality, in an effort to prevent harassment in the metaverse.

    The tech industry has been working to be more inclusive and protect individuals from harassment in the real world. As the metaverse — the intersection of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and in-person — continues to grow and gain support, companies are looking at how to protect users there too.

    Meta’s solution is Personal Boundary, a feature that will allow users to set a minimum perimeter distance, to keep other avatars from getting too close.

    A Personal Boundary prevents anyone from invading your avatar’s personal space. If someone tries to enter your Personal Boundary, the system will halt their forward movement as they reach the boundary. You won’t feel it—there is no haptic feedback. This builds upon our existing hand harassment measures that were already in place, where an avatar’s hands would disappear if they encroached upon someone’s personal space.

    Meta may be one of the first companies to come up with such a solution, buy they certainly won’t be the last.

  • Mozilla Killing Off Firefox Reality

    Mozilla has announced it is killing off Firefox Reality, the company’s foray into virtual reality.

    Companies large and small are racing to deploy virtual and augmented reality solutions, racing to stake their claim on the metaverse, where in-person, virtual, and augmented reality meet. Mozilla, on the other hand, is killing off its entry in the market, although that doesn’t mean users are without hope.

    Firefox Reality was the first cross-platform browser for mixed reality that was made by a company dedicated to user privacy. Fortunately, Firefox Reality’s innovations will live on in the Wolvic browser, made by Igalia.

    “On mobile or desktop, the web is woven into everything. It’s how we communicate, get information, entertain ourselves, and so much more. In the last few years, XR has really matured. The increase of devices shipping with an immersive OS is incredible. As such, now is an especially critical time to ensure that we establish the web on them in a healthy way,” said Brian Kardell, Developer Advocate at Igalia. “The Firefox Reality project was created with similar aims, to give users some choice and ensure that open and unlimited access to the web remains strong on these devices. These ideas are core to what we do at Igalia, so we’re thrilled to be able to carry the torch forward in leveraging that work to create a new browser, Wolvic. Together, we will help to ensure that the web ecosystem remains healthy.”

    Mozilla emphasizes that it continues to be an incubator for many new technologies, including mixed reality tech. Fortunately, its stewardship of Firefox Reality was enough to help it serve as the basis of an all-new application.

  • Apple Working to Head Off Defections With $180,000 Bonuses

    Apple Working to Head Off Defections With $180,000 Bonuses

    In the battle for top talent, Apple is giving bonuses up to $180,000 to head off any potential defections to Meta.

    Apple and Meta are on track for a collision course in the augmented and virtual reality markets. The two companies have already poached employees from each other, with Meta scoring roughly 100 Apple employees and Apple hiring away Meta’s AR comms chief.

    According to The Boston Globe, Apple is working to stem any further talent losses, giving engineers in hardware, silicon design, and some software and ops groups bonuses consisting of restricted stock.

    The bonuses range from $50,000 to $180,000, and evidently came as a surprise to the engineers. Apple is closing in on $3 trillion in market value, and has reported record quarters despite the pandemic. Investing its cash in its employees and keeping talent in-house is one of the best uses of its massive cash reserves.

  • Intel Exec: Metaverse Will Require ‘1,000x More Computational Efficiency’

    Intel Exec: Metaverse Will Require ‘1,000x More Computational Efficiency’

    Building the metaverse may be all the rage, but at least one Intel exec says computational power must increase significantly to make it a reality.

    “Metaverse” is a term that refers to the convergence of virtual, augmented and in-person reality. The metaverse is widely considered to be the next major step in computing, with Facebook even changing its name to Meta in preparation.

    Unfortunately, Raja Koduri, Senior vice president and General manager of the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group at Intel, says computing is going to have to significantly increase in order to power the metaverse.

    Truly persistent and immersive computing, at scale and accessible by billions of humans in real time, will require even more: a 1,000-times increase in computational efficiency from today’s state of the art.

    Koduri says the same applies to the internet, with improvements needed to handle the additional bandwidth demands of the metaverse.

    We need several orders of magnitude more powerful computing capability, accessible at much lower latencies across a multitude of device form factors. To enable these capabilities at scale, the entire plumbing of the internet will need major upgrades.

    Despite the challenges, Koduri believes the required computing power is within reach.

    This technology that enables immersive virtual worlds to augment the real world opens up so much possibility and it is what keeps me excited to work every day. We believe that the dream of providing a petaflop of compute power and a petabyte of data within a millisecond of every human on the planet is within our reach.

  • Apple’s Upcoming AR Headsets Will Have the Power of an M1 Mac

    Apple’s Upcoming AR Headsets Will Have the Power of an M1 Mac

    Apple’s new augmented reality (AR) headsets will offer M1 Mac-level performance, and is expected to hit the market in late 2022.

    Apple has been rumored to be working on an AR headset for some time, but it appears they’re finally close to hitting the market. Even better, the headsets are expected to offer performance on par with the M1 Mac.

    Noted Apple analysts Ming-Chi Kuo wrote a research report, seen by MacRumors, that details the new device.

    We predict that Apple’s AR headset to be launched in 4Q22 will be equipped with two processors. The higher-end processor will have similar computing power as the M1 for Mac, whereas the lower-end processor will be in charge of sensor-related computing.

    The power management unit (PMU) design of the high-end processor is similar to that of M1 because it has the same level of computing power as M1.

    Kuo also says the new headsets will support virtual reality (VR), in addition to AR.

    Apple’s AR headset requires a separate processor as the computing power of the sensor is significantly higher than that of the iPhone. For example, the AR headset requires at least 6-8 optical modules to simultaneously provide continuous video see-through AR services to users. In comparison, an iPhone requires up to 3 optical modules running simultaneously and does not require continuous computing.

  • Verizon Exclusive Partner of 15 NBA Teams

    Verizon Exclusive Partner of 15 NBA Teams

    Verizon has announced it is the exclusive partner of 15 NBA teams, and now has its Ultra Wideband 5G deployed in 60+ stadiums.

    Ultra Wideband is Verizon’s name for the fastest flavor of 5G, mmWave. It offers speed measured in gigabits, and opens a world of new possibilities. The company is helping NBA teams use the technology to create more immersive experiences for fans in attendance. As one example, fans will be able to point their phones at a player and seen their stats and information on their screens, get shot/miss projections and more.

    Verizon and the NBA teams clearly see such experiences as a key element to luring people back to in-person events.

    “As fans return to live events, the need to reimagine the in-arena experience and operations has accelerated and 5G Ultra Wideband is a critical component,” said Brian Mecum, Vice President of Device Technology for Verizon. “The deployment of 5G in these arenas is the foundation for unlocking future fan experiences and solutions for venue operations.”

    Below is a list of partner teams:

    • Cleveland Cavaliers – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
    • Denver Nuggets – Ball Arena
    • Detroit Pistons – Little Caesars Arena
    • Golden State Warriors – Chase Center
    • LA Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Memphis Grizzlies – FedExForum
    • New York Knicks – Madison Square Garden
    • Oklahoma City Thunder – Chesapeake Energy Arena
    • Phoenix Suns – Phoenix Suns Arena
    • Portland Trail Blazers – Moda Center
    • Sacramento Kings – Golden 1 Center
    • Utah Jazz – Vivint Arena
    • Washington Wizards – Capital One Arena
  • Microsoft Scores $21.9 Billion US Army Contract for Augmented Reality Headsets

    Microsoft Scores $21.9 Billion US Army Contract for Augmented Reality Headsets

    Microsoft may lose out on its $10 billion JEDI contact, but it just scored a $21.9 billion contract to provide the US Army with augmented reality (AR) headsets.

    Unlike virtual reality (VR), which creates a completely immersive environment, AR augments the real world with virtual reality overlays. The US Army wants to use AR headsets to improve battlefield communication and awareness, providing soldiers with important information.

    Microsoft and the US Army will work to quickly move the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program from prototype to production.

    The IVAS headset, based on HoloLens and augmented by Microsoft Azure cloud services, delivers a platform that will keep Soldiers safer and make them more effective. The program delivers enhanced situational awareness, enabling information sharing and decision-making in a variety of scenarios. Microsoft has worked closely with the U.S. Army over the past two years, and together we pioneered Soldier Centered Design to enable rapid prototyping for a product to provide Soldiers with the tools and capabilities necessary to achieve their mission.

    Microsoft’s announcement is the latest example of the many ways VR and AR are poised to revolutionize multiple industries.

  • Apple’s Dan Riccio Reportedly Overseeing VR/AR Headset Development

    Apple’s Dan Riccio Reportedly Overseeing VR/AR Headset Development

    Dan Riccio, Apple former head of hardware, is reportedly heading up the company’s efforts to develop a virtual and augmented reality headset.

    Dan Riccio has been heavily involved in Apple product design and hardware engineering since he joined the company in 1998. He was eventually appointed executive team leader of Hardware Engineering in 2012.

    In January, however, Riccio was moved to a secret project, with John Ternus replacing him as hardware chief. Underscoring the importance of Riccio’s new role, he reports directly to Tim Cook. Some believed his new role might be tied to Project Titan, Apple’s car development efforts.

    According to a new report by Bloomberg, however, it appears Riccio is working on a headset for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR and AR have seen increased usage across a wide range of industries. While gaming is often the first people think of, VR and AR are being used to train personnel, provide therapy, improve remote workplace experiences, expand social networks and more.

    Apple has been a big proponent of AR technology, rolling it out in the iPhone and iPad. If Bloomberg’s reports are true, a dedicated VR/AR headset would represent a significant increase in the company’s investment in the fledgling technology, and could pave the way for more widespread adoption.

  • Nextech AR Integrates Microsoft Azure Across Its Products

    Nextech AR Integrates Microsoft Azure Across Its Products

    Nextech AR has announced it is integrating Microsoft Azure across its virtual experience platforms and applications.

    Nextech AR provides a wide range of augmented reality (AR) and virtual experience technologies (VXT). Augmented reality has become an increasingly important technology, especially for marketers and e-commerce, allowing individuals to visualize how something will look.

    Similarly, VXT has experienced major growth, in large part as a result of the pandemic. Virtual experiences have supplanted in-person meetings for everything from work meetings to major industry conventions.

    Integrating Azure will allow Nextech AR to better scale its offerings, for both virtual and hybrid events.

    “We pride ourselves in offering truly scalable events and services for today’s digital age. With our existing data center, making quick changes to event size and scale was an involved process that required hardware changes and sometimes took weeks,” said Mark Pace, CTO, Virtual Experience Platform at NexTech AR, “By migrating our platforms onto Microsoft Azure, we can scale events at the cloud level, with the push of a button, enabling us to elevate our event and customer experiences simultaneously. Azure is a trusted, industry-leading solution with game-changing potential for the event and experience creation industry. Our customers have come to rely on our growing portfolio of products to provide next-level tools and services which makes cloud-computing integration a perfect addition.”

    “Azure, Microsoft’s cloud and edge computing platform is the gold standard and positions us perfectly for large enterprise customers who are looking for a convenient and reliable cloud-based computing platform. We see this as a major building block which is crucial to our business model as we look to expand the footprint of our virtual events and experiences,” said Evan Gappelberg, CEO of Nextech AR. He continues, “In 2020 we worked with notable organizations including Amazon, Northwell Health, Dell, Bell Canada, Grundfos, UNESCO, Restaurants Canada and Carnegie Mellon University to create virtual experiences and tools. In 2021 we now have the ability to offer Microsoft Azure to new and existing partners which will be instrumental to our growth as we look to build on our new client wins with new product offerings, and first-class customer service.”

    Nextech AR’s announcement is a big win for Microsoft, as it continues to battle for dominance in the cloud market.

  • Verizon and Unity Partner On 5G, MEC and Digital Experiences

    Verizon and Unity Partner On 5G, MEC and Digital Experiences

    Verizon has announced it is partnering with Unity to help drive 5G-powered digital experiences and mobile edge computing (MEC).

    5G is the next generation of wireless technology that promises revolutionary speeds, opening up a whole new world of digital possibilities. Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), gaming, autonomous driving and much more all benefit from the speeds 5G can provide. Edge computing and MEC is another area where 5G can make a big difference, allowing data to be processed faster at or near the point of collection.

    Verizon has been investing heavily in its 5G network. Until recently, it had primarily focused on the fastest variety of 5G, the high-band mmWave, which Verizon calls Ultra Wideband. The company has also spent big at the FCC auction for coveted mid-band spectrum, often considered the sweet spot for 5G, offering a good combination of speed and coverage.

    Unity, on the other hand, is the maker of the popular Unity game engine, as well as the creator of the popular Fortnite game. Unity’s engine is also one of the leading VR platforms. This portfolio makes Unity a natural choice for Verizon to partner with to provide 5G content.

    “We are entering an era of technology-led disruption where 5G and MEC will not only transform the full enterprise lifecycle, it will change the way consumers experience gaming and entertainment,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “Every business is accelerating the shift to digital for their employees, supply chain or end-customer experience. So whether you’re an enterprise reimaging how you do business using predictive real time insights, computer vision, machine learning and artificial intelligence, or a mobile gamer who simply wants to download the hottest new game in seconds and enjoy data intensive, multiplayer games conventionally reserved for consoles, the future is happening right now.”

    “We know the world is demanding high-speed, AAA content, whether it’s an educational augmented reality application or a robot running a simulation of a digital twin,” said Ryan Peterson, VP, Solutions, at Unity. “5G is the key piece for us to facilitate these real-time 3D experiences broadly and to better meet the demands of the real-time economy.”

    This partnership further illustrates the emphasis wireless companies are placing on providing content that aligns with their core business. In October, T-Mobile announced TVision, its foray into streaming TV. Similarly, AT&T has its own streaming service. In an industry known for its churn — where customers switch from one company to another — providing high-quality digital experiences may play a big role in increasing brand loyalty.

     

    Image Credit: Unity & Verizon

  • Verizon 5G Brings the Indy 500 to Fans’ Homes

    Verizon 5G Brings the Indy 500 to Fans’ Homes

    The coronavirus pandemic may be keeping people at home, but Verizon is bringing the Indy 500 right to them.

    Verizon, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and NBC Sports have teamed up to provide a front-row experience to fans. A high-definition, 360-degree camera will be placed in the infield and take advantage of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband service, as well as augmented reality (AR).

    In addition to being streamed via Verizon’s BlueJeans platform, AR will allow fans to watch the race on their smartphones, choosing the perspective that best suits them. They will even be able to tour the garages and see the drivers.

    “Thanks to Verizon, fans around the globe will be given unprecedented digital access to the biggest personalities and the most exciting behind-the-scenes action of this year’s Indianapolis 500,” said Jonathan Gibson, Executive Vice President, Penske Corporation. “From 5G powered Race Day footage to a public drivers meeting on an innovative platform like BlueJeans, we’re excited to team up with Verizon for an epic Race Weekend.”

    This is just the latest example of what can be accomplished when combining 5G with other innovative technologies, such as AR.

  • Magic Leap Snags Microsoft’s Peggy Johnson As CEO

    Magic Leap Snags Microsoft’s Peggy Johnson As CEO

    Spatial computing company Magic Leap has snagged Microsoft executive Peggy Johnson as its new CEO.

    Magic Leap is a well-known company working on revolutionizing the computing industry. The company is considered to be one of the leaders in spatial computing, which includes elements of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. The company claims its wearable, Magic Leap 1, is the most advanced XR device on the market.

    Peggy Johnson brings much to the table for Magic Leap, including over three decades in leadership positions within the tech industry. She previously worked for 24 years at Qualcomm before joining Microsoft in 2014. As executive vice president of business development, she oversaw the LinkedIn acquisition, and has a solid background growing business endeavors.

    “Since its founding in 2011, Magic Leap has pioneered the field of spatial computing, and I have long admired the relentless efforts and accomplishments of this exceptional team. Magic Leap’s technological foundation is undeniable, and there is no question that has the potential to shape the future of XR and computing,” said Ms. Johnson.

    “As CEO, I look forward to strategically building enduring relationships that connect Magic Leap’s game-changing technology and pipeline to the wide-ranging digital needs of enterprises of all sizes and industries,” explained Ms. Johnson. “It is with great pride and sincere appreciation to the Magic Leap Board, Rony and the entire team, as well as to Satya Nadella at Microsoft, that I assume the role of leading this visionary business into the future.”

    Ms. Johnson will likely be a big asset as Magic Leap continues to compete in what is becoming a highly competitive field.

    Image Credit: Magic Leap

  • Schneider Electric Unveils Rack Mounted Cooling Solution

    Schneider Electric Unveils Rack Mounted Cooling Solution

    Schneider Electric has announced the release of the Uniflair Rack Mounted Cooling Solution, specifically aimed at edge computing and micro data centers.

    The solution is aimed at freeing up floor space by using the bottom of an IT rack. This makes it ideal for applications, such as on-premise processing, where space is at a premium.

    “Simply put, our new vendor-neutral, rack mounted cooling solution is right-sized for edge micro data centers and provides the right answer for cooling today’s critical edge technology,” said Maurizio Frizziero, Director of Cooling, Schneider Electric. “It offers more cooling in less space and simplifies management and maintenance, making it ideal for industries like retail, finance, health care, light manufacturing, and education.”

    As 5G technology boosts edge computing, on or near-premise data processing will become far more important for a variety of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, self-driving cars and more. Solutions such as Uniflair will become an increasingly critical component, helping ensure the success of those technologies.

  • Sherwood Forest to Become First 5G Connected Forest

    Sherwood Forest to Become First 5G Connected Forest

    Robin Hood is about to come to life as Sherwood Forest becomes the world’s first 5G Connected Forest.

    A £10m project has been approved to use a combination of 5G, virtual and augmented reality to create an immersive experience in Sherwood Forest. The investment consists of £5 million from the government, matched by a consortium led by Nottinghamshire County Council.

    The technology will be used for both tourism and environmental needs, with Robin Hood brought “to life at the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre via an incredible 3D/4D virtual reality experience.” Meanwhile, the technology will also be used to power robots and drones to help monitor the health of the forest while minimizing environmental impact.

    “Nottinghamshire is once again at the forefront of latest technology, bringing together some of the best academic minds, 3D creators and experts in 5G,” said Nottinghamshire County Council leader, Councillor Kay Cutts.

    “This will be the world’s first testing, of 5G, in a forest. It will bring the stories associated with Robin Hood and our ancient woodland to life in a new way.

    “Together with our partners, we will create a virtual reality experience for visitors to Sherwood Forest to attract even more families and visitors to Nottinghamshire from across the UK and overseas, bringing benefits to local businesses and our economy.”

    While the concept is interesting, this announcement seems to fit into the “just because it can be done, doesn’t mean it should be” category. In an era when experts are encouraging people to unplug and enjoy nature, it seems odd to be going to this length to wire nature. There’s something equally disturbing about seeing children in the forest with VR gear strapped to their heads.

    The opening statement of the Nottinghamshire County Council’s announcement says “visitors to the Sherwood Forest Country Park will be able to get a 3D experience of the forest like never before.”

    This writer, for one, has always been under the impression that “a 3D experience of the forest” could be achieved by simply taking a walk in one.

  • Ericsson Researchers Set New 5G Speed Record

    Ericsson Researchers Set New 5G Speed Record

    Ericsson researchers have set a new record for mmWave 5G, hitting 4.3Gbps download speeds.

    mmWave is the fastest variety of 5G, and offers revolutionary speeds compared to 4G. Speeds are so fast that experts have long said it could disrupt entire industries, making things possible that could never be done with previous technology. Artificial intelligence, autonomous cars, mobile gaming, virtual and augmented reality are just a few of the industries 5G stands to have a major impact on.

    Ericsson’s researchers have just displayed some of that promise, achieving a whopping 4.3Gbps downlink with mmWave 5G.

    “This is a fantastic achievement,” said Per Narvinger, Head of Product Area Networks. “To put 4.3Gbps in context, that is the equivalent of downloading one hour of ultra-high-definition, or 4K, content from a streaming service in just 14 seconds. Ericsson is taking the next steps in ensuring service providers can deliver the best capacity and data rates over millimeter wave 5G. The 8CC aggregation solution we have successfully tested will enable not only higher speeds but also large-scale 5G deployments and new business opportunities.”

    In the U.S., T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T have all deployed mmWave 5G in parts of the country, although rollout is slow as a result of the frequency’s extremely short range. This has led T-Mobile and AT&T to complement their mmWave service with low-band 5G, which has far better range and coverage but offers speeds similar to 4G.

    Ericsson’s announcement also lends weight to CEO Borje Ekholm’s recent comments that his company is at the forefront of 5G, both in terms of technology and scalability. In that interview, he said: “I find it’s a bit difficult to say that we’re behind when I see no one ahead of us.”

    When it comes to download speeds—he’s right.

  • Optus Demos 5G Mixed Reality Sports Streaming

    Optus Demos 5G Mixed Reality Sports Streaming

    Watching sports may never be the same if a demo by telecommunications company Optus is any indication.

    ZDNet is reporting on a demonstration Optus put on at its headquarters in Sydney, in partnership with mixed reality firm Unbnd, combining the power of mixed reality and 5G. Mixed reality (MR) is the term that covers both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

    According to ZDNet, in the presentation Optus and Unbnd demonstrated “a 360-degree ‘virtual theatre’ that allows viewers to experience National Basketball Association (NBA) content in either 2D or 3D, such as live games and replays, while also providing access to additional mixed reality information like scores and statistics, as well as the ability to buy NBA products such as basketball jerseys.”

    The technology could eventually allow viewers to watch and essentially ‘participate’ in sports that would otherwise be too dangerous for the average person. As an example, according to ZDNet, the demo “showcased an immersive sportscar racing experience which was streamed to a 5G-capable handset. In that mixed-reality experience, viewers could see three 4K video streams concurrently — ranging from driver POV streams to the main race coverage — in addition to real-time statistics such as the positions of race cars on the track map and the speed of each driver that are tracked by Internet of Things sensors.”

    Optus and Unbnd’s demo is an amazing example of what’s yet to come as 5G is paired with other revolutionary technologies, such as MR.

  • Apple’s Tim Cook Sees Bright Future For AR

    Apple’s Tim Cook Sees Bright Future For AR

    At an event in Ireland, where he was presented with an award to recognize “the company’s contribution to FDI in Ireland,” CEO Tim Cook took the opportunity to share his vision of augmented reality’s (AR) future, according to Silicon Republic.

    “I’m excited about AR,” said Cook. “My view is it’s the next big thing, and it will pervade our entire lives.”

    One significant area where AR differs from virtual reality (VR) is the potential for human interaction. VR tends to segregate individuals in their own virtual environment. Any interaction with other humans depends on them having access to VR equipment and being part of the same virtual environment. AR, on the other hand, is not as exclusionary.

    “I think it’s something that doesn’t isolate people,” Cook continued. “We can use it to enhance our discussion, not substitute it for human connection, which I’ve always deeply worried about in some of the other technologies.”

    Cook also sees the technology being used to help people perform hands-on tasks, especially ones they may not be familiar with. He used the example of changing the oil on a vehicle as the kind of task AR could help with.

    Apple has made no secret of their faith in AR, even over its more buzz-generating sibling VR. The company has integrated AR into its visitor experience at the Apple Park, and both iPhones and iPads currently support AR. Cook’s comments give a small glimpse into why the company is so bullish about the tech.

  • Move Over Self-Driving Cars: Self-Sailing Ships Are Here

    Move Over Self-Driving Cars: Self-Sailing Ships Are Here

    ZDNet is reporting that Samsung Heavy Industries and SK Telecom “have developed a 5G-based autonomous navigation platform that will allow ships to move to set destinations on their own.”

    The first trial involved a 3.3 meter long ship outfitted with a Samsung lidar sensor connected to SK Telecom’s 5G network. A destination was set 250 kilometers away.

    “The ship safely sailed to the destination and avoided obstacles, SK Telecom said. They were also able to control and monitor the ship from the centre through using the telco’s 5G network.”

    According to ZDNet’s report, this is just the beginning for the two companies. They plan on developing 5G smart yards that can be used to help pilot ships close to shore, reducing the risk of human error. They also plan on expanding the technology to be able to remotely monitor and operate heavy equipment. The two companies are also working on augmented reality (AR) equipment that will provide a way of monitoring the inside of shipping containers.

    Samsung and SK Telecom are providing yet another example of the possibilities 5G are opening across a range of industries.