Collaboration is key not just in life but also within the emerging immersive marketplace. As the ever-growing technology space finds its footing in enterprise and for consumers, industry leaders are ensuring that the market stands upon a strong foundation of industry-wide collaboration and rich design tools.
This week, Apple dropped VisionOS, a set of XR design tools to entice immersive content creators to start designing for its upcoming headset before its release.
On the other hand, Unity is introducing tools that leverage AI to simplify XR content creation processes. Additionally, Meta is introducing a new payment scheme to bring more eyes towards the Quest portfolio ahead of the line-up’s third iteration.
Unity Muse, Sentis to Tap AI-Powered Content Creation
This week, two AI tools, Unity Muse and Sentis, were released to assist creatives in designing immersive worlds and XR content.
Of its debuted tools, Unity Muse offers an extensive service which leverages AI-backed assistance features for people creating immersive content.
For the enterprise, Unity Muse will accelerate content creation for RT3D applications across video games, digital twins, and other assets. This aims to create assets with unlimited potential in the platform’s native Unity Editor. Users can provide natural text prompts and sketches to input data on the forum.
Unity Sentis also provides assistance through embeddable neural networks across content creation builds that lead to exceptional RT3D XR experiences. Developers can embed Sentis-powered AI models on Unity Runtime to create games, applications, and other digital tools to boost gameplay and features.
The cross-platform tool allows developers to develop gaming solutions with zero latency and costs. Users can also port across mobile phones, PCs, and gaming consoles such as the Sony PlayStation, Microsoft XBOX, and Nintendo Switch.
Unity is offering the solutions in a closed beta, with opportunities to provide feedback. According to Unithy, the integrated AI tools could increase productivity, offer cutting-edge in-game features, and boost player experiences with behavioural interactions.
Meta Quest to Adopt Subscription Service
Meta has announced a new subscription service called Quest+. The service will give Quest 2 and Pro owners access to two gaming titles per month for $7.99. This is similar to other subscription services offered by gaming companies, such as PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass.
Quest+ will debut on July 3, and the first two games that will be available are Pixel Ripped 1995 and Pistol Whip. In August, Meta will add Walkabout Mini Golf and Mothergunship: Forge to the service.
The announcement of Quest+ comes at a time when Meta is facing financial challenges. The company’s Reality Labs division, which is responsible for developing VR and AR products, has been losing money. In early 2023, Meta laid off thousands of employees from Reality Labs in an effort to reduce costs.
Lamina1 Partnership to Build Open Metaverse
This week, LAMINA1 teamed up with the open metaverse platform Croquet, immersive technology solution provider Mira, and others, to introduce Layer-1 blockchain technologies on the metaverse.
LAMINA1 also has a world-renowned team, including Co-Founder Neal Stephenson, who first coined the term ‘metaverse’ in his book Snow Crash. The firm aims to leverage its experience to secure collaboration efforts for building metaverse services.
The firms launched the LAMINA1 Testnet in January 2023, with further plans to release a Beta this summer.
XR Today spoke with Rebecca Barkin, Chief Executive, LAMINA1, who said:
Our community of nearly 45,000 metaverse builders and our early access partners have been instrumental in providing valuable insight into the core features and UX that will make LAMINA1 stand out.
Through our network of recently-announced partners like HTC VIVE, Qualcomm, Croquet, Mira, Interverse, Amber Studios, and beyond, we are also building the foundation of a next-generation infrastructure, content ecosystem, and the necessary creator tooling required to bring the future open metaverse to life.
Barkin also added that LAMINA1 is a “fiercely passionate collective advocating for a more open, immersive world where individuals — both creatives and consumers — can enjoy both privacy and prosperity as they move through it.”
Apple Launches Vision Pro SDK, but What Do Audiences Think?
Apple has launched its VisionOS software development kit (SDK), which will power its upcoming Vision Pro MR headset. With its debut, the firm enables international developers to practise content development for the device before its US release.
The firm designed VisionOS to provide a foundation for developers to create immersive applications for various enterprise purposes, starting with first-party Apple service and supporting third-party applications and ports.
VisionOS includes three key development concepts: Windows, Volumes, and Spaces. Windows represent the 2D user interface, while volumes are RT3D immersive experiences. Finally, Spaces are the spatial computing environment in which volumes and applications exist.
Moreover, in a survey conducted by customer intelligence analytics firm StreetBees, 50 percent of questioned individuals aware of the Vision Pro are excited about the device, and a further 27 percent intend to buy it.
On the other hand, 40 percent of those questioned do not intend to purchase Apple’s device. Meanwhile, a further 33 percent are undecided.
