The XR industry continues to gain momentum as we move into the summer months. The Apple Vision Pro has played a significant role in attracting mainstream attention to XR technology. As the year progresses, industry showcases like Apple’s WWDC and Meta Connect events will provide insight into new trends and shake-ups within the industry. Businesses, vendors, and solution providers are recognizing the value of spatial data in various sectors and use cases. Technologies such as RT3D digital twins and simulation are poised to make a significant impact on the industry.
Unity has introduced Matthew Bromberg as its new CEO and board member, signaling a focus on deploying its engine as an enterprise-grade RT3D design and collaboration platform. His experience in transforming Zynga into a leading mobile game developer and publisher will be instrumental in advancing Unity’s position in the XR space. With Roelof Botha and Jim Whitehurst in key leadership positions, Unity is poised for growth and innovation.
Meta’s recent decision to open up its Meta Horizon OS to third-party developers has sparked debate within the industry. While this move aims to provide a wider range of applications for its Quest products, it deviates from Apple’s closed ecosystem approach. Industry experts, including ex-Meta CTO John Carmack, have expressed concerns over the implications of Meta’s decision. The tension between open and closed ecosystems may impact the future of XR hardware development.
Apple is working on a second update for its Vision Pro spatial computing headset, named ‘visionOS version 1.2’. This update is designed to enhance the performance and communication between the Vision Pro headset and other Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad. The beta build of the update includes improvements to features like FaceTime and stability when accessing App Store review request APIs. These enhancements are expected to optimize cross-compatibility between Apple devices and the Vision Pro headset.
STYLY, an urban AR marketing and entertainment platform, has received significant funding from Mitsubishi Corporation. This funding will enable STYLY to scale its spatial layer platform and create immersive AR campaigns geo-located in real urban environments. By collaborating with Mitsubishi Corporation and targeting its commercial facilities, STYLY aims to accelerate the development of domestic and international real estate and urban projects. The funding will also support STYLY in collaborating with other companies to create innovative media across various sectors.
The XR industry is at a crucial point as it continues to attract mainstream interest and investment from key players like Apple and Unity. The future of XR technology hinges on how industry leaders navigate challenges such as open versus closed ecosystems and the integration of spatial data in various sectors. As the industry evolves, businesses, vendors, and solution providers will play a vital role in shaping the landscape of XR technology and its impact on consumers worldwide. It is important to stay updated on the latest developments and trends in the XR industry to understand how it will impact businesses and consumers in the future.
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