iOS Archives - VR World

Apple, Augmented Reality (AR), iOS, Mobile, News, OSx, Smartphones, Virtual Reality (VR), VR World

Meet USDZ, an AR file format from Apple and Pixar

As part of Apple’s recent ARKit 2.0 announcements, Apple also debuted USDZ, a new file format from their partnership with Pixar. We’ll dive into this below. What is USDZ? This file format is described as a “zero compression, unencrypted zip archive” by Pixar. It’s made to work with a USD runtime and doesn’t require unpacking on the user’s end. As a new file format from Apple and Pixar, it’s designed expressly for managing 3D objects in Augmented Reality. There’s a number of more features than that, but that dives into jargon-y territory we’d like to stay out of. For now, we’ll just explain what it

Android, Augmented Reality (AR), iOS, Mobile, News, Software Programs, VR World

How Ubiquity6 is changing AR apps

A common challenge for VR/AR apps is social features, but Ubiquity6 is changing that in a big way. Progress has been made prior, to be clear. VR has gotten applications like VRChat, while AR games like Pokemon Go benefit from encouraging an outdoors, real-life MMO gaming experience. The big difference is that, until now, neither AR or VR apps have effectively managed to pull off the same kind of social experience as this. What is Ubiquity6? Ubiquity6 is an AR app that maintains consistent AR environments across multiple devices. Most AR experiences are tied to a single device, so nobody will see the same thing

AMD, Apple, Augmented Reality (AR), Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Gaming, Hardware, iOS, Microsoft, Mixed Reality (MR), Mobile, Mobile Computing, Nvidia, Operating Systems, Reviews, Smart Home, Smartphones, Virtual Reality (VR), VR World, Windows

VRWorld: Our Most Popular Stories of 2017

While we have recently covered our choices for the Top 10 VR/AR Stories of 2017, and while some of those stories happened to also be among the most popular amongst our readers last year, there were also a number of additional stories that proved popular. In this piece, we take at the top ten stories — based on reader popularity — in 2017. #10: Bethesda’s VR World: DOOM VFR, Fallout 4 VR and Skyrim PSVR This summertime article addressed how AAA game developer Bethesda was poised to bring a dramatic improvement to VR gaming with the then-pending releases of Doom VFR, Fallout 4 VR and

Augmented Reality (AR), Gaming, iOS, Mobile, News, VR World

Augmented Reality FPS WAR of the AI releases on iOS

Trailblazing VR is a startup company focused on pushing forward women in the VR/AR development. Their first game is War of the AI, developed using Apple’s ARKit tools (like the LEGO game we covered a while back) and available for free on iOS. While War of the AI has a somewhat ‘dull’ name, what it does – is quite impressive. War of the AI is a first-person shooter that’s playable in augmented reality, which has been done before (with the help of peripherals, e.g. Father.io), but not quite like this. War of the AI doesn’t require any extra peripherals, and utilizing ARKit’s features, enables a full

Android, Augmented Reality (AR), iOS, Mobile, News, OSx, Smartphones, Social Media, Tablets, VR World, Windows

Lens Studio lets anyone create AR effects for Snapchat

Snap, the company behind prominent messaging app Snapchat, has released Lens Studio, a software for producing augmented reality effects for still photos and videos. What used to be an in-house application is now in the hands of all who want to dabble in creating their own AR experiences for use in Snapchat. Lens Studio is Snap’s second app, and it’s available on Mac OS X and Windows. The release of this design platform is actually the most recent in a series of similar stories: Facebook opened its AR platform earlier this week, as well as Amazon earlier this month. With Lens Studio opening up to advertisers

Augmented Reality (AR), Gaming, iOS, Mobile, News, Smartphones, VR World

LEGO AR-Studio Brings Lego To Augmented Reality

LEGO AR-Studio is pretty great. There’s a bunch of reasons for this, but in light of fiascos like Battlefront II, AR-Studio successfully provides a kid-friendly experience for free, without any predatory microtransactions. That alone should earn it applause, especially when compared to the countless Android/iOS titles that exist almost solely to separate you from your hard-earned money, one dollar at a time. LEGO AR-Studio, in addition to having a good businesLs model, also seems like a genuinely fun game. It offers six popular virtual LEGO sets for people to play within Augmented Reality, and goes the extra mile by offering a variety of scripts and animations

Android, iOS, Mobile, News, Virtual Reality (VR)

Axonom brings CPQ-VR solution to mobile

Axonom, a provider of software that combines Configure Price Quote (CPQ) technology with VR, yesterday announced the release of their Powertrak VR Design Viewer for smartphones. The newly-released Powertrak VR Design Viewer builds upon Axonom’s foundation in non-mobile VR solutions for product configuration, configured product visualization, and room planning. “VR hardware tethered to a machine, like the HTC Vive, is very effective on the trade show floor but mobile VR can be used both on-site and shared to decision makers off-site,” said Mike Belongie, COO at Axonom. “It’s the most economical and compelling way to distribute immersive 3D product designs and floor space planning layouts

Android, Augmented Reality (AR), iOS, Mobile, News, Smartphones, Tablets, Virtual Reality (VR)

Mozilla Announces Mixed Reality Development Program

Mozilla unveiled a new development program and team that will build upon their existing work to bring VR and AR technologies to the web. The program will focus on the integration of devices, headsets, frameworks and toolsets to increase flexibility in VR/AR web development. The organization indicated that although they have been working in this space for over a year, this new team was formalized only in recent weeks. In their announcement, the organization pointed out that although there have been substantial developments this year in bringing VR/AR technologies to the web, there are still gaps in terms of cross-platform compatibility. Mozilla indicates their new

Android, Entertainment, iOS, News, Toys, Virtual Reality (VR), VR World

Book publisher launches traditional book-VR combo for kids

Hollywood, California-based book publisher Quantum Storey announced this week that it has launched the world’s first virtual reality book series for children. Aimed at younger kids, their “Operation YOU” series combines traditional printed books with virtual reality. The books include access to a companion Android and iOS app, as well as Google Cardboard goggles. The first title in the series, which is now available exclusively at Walmart, is entitled “Morning Nightmare.” It confronts the challenges children experience boarding school busses. According to the company, the VR app places children in the book’s environment in the first person, virtually transforming them into the book’s main character.

Apple, Augmented Reality (AR), Business, Companies, Entertainment, iOS, News

Vogue and Apple Creating AR Fashion for iPhoneX

American Vogue has partnered with Apple to create an augmented reality-powered iPhone feature, available exclusively on the newly launched iPhone X on December 1. “The Vogue Effect” iMessage extension uses the front-facing camera’s Face ID to create a multi-dimensional filter like those on Snapchat and Instagram. iPhone X users need to download Vogue’s app in order to access the filters, but it can be applied directly via iMessage once installed. Arlie Sisson, vice president of emerging products at Condé Nast said: “This is experimentation, leveraging technology and pushing our creativity in new ways.It’s unexpected, but it makes sense because [leading] is what we do best.” Vogue

Augmented Reality (AR), Business, Companies, iOS, News, Operating Systems, press releases, Smartphones, VR World

Overstock updated iOS app for AR

American internet retailer Overstock.com Inc. updated its iOS app on Tuesday to enable shoppers to view thousands of products in augmented reality. The new functionality makes use of ARKit, a new Apple Inc. tool that aims to simplify the process for developers to add augmented reality capabilities to their apps. “Augmented reality is changing the way people shop for furniture and home goods forever,” said Overstock.com President Saum Noursalehi. “Shoppers no longer have to guess how a piece of furniture will fit in their room, or if a pattern will match their existing design style. Instead, they can use their phones to see the exact

Apple, Augmented Reality (AR), Breaking, Business, Event, Google, Hardware, iOS, Mobile, News, Smartphones

Apple iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X will Boost AR Market

At the very first event in Steve Jobs Theater at its new headquarters, Apple Inc. announced a series of devices, including the new smartwatch “Watch Series 3”, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (realistically, these are iPhone 7S and 7S Plus) refreshments, and the king of the event – a $1000 iPhone X (pronounced ten), with X marking 10th anniversary since iPhone 2G came to market. All three phones are powered by a powerful A11 Bionic SoC processor, bringing a set of next-generation features to all three phones, with Augmented Reality and FaceID perhaps being the most impressive ones. Augmented Reality, in that way, superimposes digital

Apple, Augmented Reality (AR), Breaking, Business, Education, Entertainment, Hardware, iOS, Mobile, News, Smartphones, startups, VR World, Wearables

Mira Launches Prism AR Headset for Apple, Can it Break into Mainstream?

The race to be the key Augmented Reality company is on. While some companies are promising the world, some are working in secret to address as much population as possible, and make the experience interactive and appealing to the masses. Mira, an AR startup from Los Angeles completed its seed round and announced pre-orders for its Prism AR headset for palatable $99. What could make the difference for the Prism AR headset is its software platform: unlike numerous Android-powered devices, Mira is focusing solely on Apple iOS devices, and interactive element between persons wearing Prism AR headset and users that can see the AR content through

Android, Audio/Video, Breaking, Hardware, iOS, Mobile, Reviews, Software Programs, Virtual Reality (VR), VR World

Xiaomi Mijia MI SPHERE 360 Camera Review

Xiaomi is slowly opening itself and their products to the west. The Chinese smartphone giant is expanding its availability on global markets thanks to its e-tailers. One of their leading partners is turning out to be GearBest, who recently sent us the Xiaomi Mijia MI SPHERE 360 Camera. I took the camera to the city of Varazdin in Croatia and checked the real world performance. Given the price of mere $255, can Xiaomi’s 360 degree camera offer the ultimate price / performance ratio? First off, I have to admit that setting the camera was a real pain in the behind, trying to figure out how to install phone

Apple, Breaking, Business, Entertainment, Gaming, iOS, OSx, Virtual Reality (VR)

Apple Macs and Virtual Reality could have a Happy Ending

It’s the gaming revolution that had everyone talking in 2016, but are we really moving towards a virtual reality (VR) world? Well, according to research from Deloitte, VR is now a “billion dollar niche“. Reviewing the state of the market and making predictions on its potential progress back in 2016, the accounting and professional services firm calculated that hardware sales of $700 million would be bolstered by $300 million in content sales. As impressive as this and similar assessments have been, VR isn’t quite the full package. As is often the case, Apple users have been forced to watch from the outside in recent months.

Android, Augmented Reality (AR), Breaking, Business, iOS, News, Software Programs, startups, VR World

iStaging AR App Changes the Way You Shop

In today’s world, where everything can be ordered online, more and more people are starting to get skeptical about what will arrive once the package arrives at their doorstep. We order things from eBay, Amazon, Gearbest and a bunch of other sites and take a risk that the object of purchase will not be what you hoped for. This concern is spreading especially through online ordering of bulkier items, such as furniture. iStaging is a VR/AR app that positions furniture in the real world environment, enabling perspective correct positioning. This Android and iOS app can help you to show you how furniture looks in real life

Analysis, Android, Apple, Back to School, Business, Companies, Exclusive, iOS, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Opinion, OSx, Software Programs, Windows, Windows Phone

Will “Windows as a Service” Model be successful for Microsoft?

Ever since Microsoft came out with the Windows 10, Redmond has been positioning this Operating System (OS) as the final direct release, with all the future versions being built off this foundation. Microsoft is trying to capture back market share which PCs have lost to mobile computing. Microsoft allowed for program compatibility and ecosystem support blunders with Windows 7 Mobile, Windows 8 Mobile, Windows 8 x86, and Windows 8 ARM (RT). The company let its Windows ecosystem to become fragmented, removed backwards compatibility, and many of its consumer developers moved away from Microsoft to focus on iOS and Android OS created by Apple and Google

Android, Business, Cloud Computing, Facebook, Google, Internet, iOS, Mobile, Mobile Computing, Social Media, Software Programs, startups, Virtual Reality (VR), VR World

Instagram’s Kevin Systrom Talks Virtual Reality

Kevin Systrom, co-founder and CEO of Instagram recently talked about Virtual Reality and working with Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook in Bloomberg’s Studio 1.0. Instagram story started on Stanford University where Systrom was studying, and Facebook gave him an job offer. Kevin didn’t want to drop out of school, so he passed on the opportunity. During the college years, he got his first taste of the startup world after being chosen as one of twelve students to participate in the prestigious Mayfield Fellows Program. The fellowship led to his internship at Odeo, the company that eventually gave rise to Twitter. After graduating Stanford, he joined Google as an ‘Associate

Android, Companies, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, Mobile, Operating Systems, Smartphones, Uber

Once Again, Uber Delivers: Family Profiles Introduced

It seems that these days, Uber is rocking it out! The well-known transportation service recently introduced UberEats, an app that allows you to order a takeaway the same way as ordering yourself a ride. Now, they’ve introduced ‘Family Profiles’. So, what exactly does this mean? First, with this option you allow your friends and/or family, to share one payment method for Uber overall. One feature passengers have frequently requested is an easy way to pay for family and friends. That’s why Uber announced Family Profiles, a new feature launched in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix that lets up to 10 riders safely and easily share one

Android, Apple, Breaking, Business, Companies, iOS, Mobile, Smartphones, Software Programs, startups, Uber, VR World

Uber Will Now Deliver Food Straight To Your Door

You use Uber? Then you’re gonna love this: “We’ve been cooking up something new. An app that makes getting great food from hundreds of restaurants as easy as requesting a ride.” – the official announcement of ordering a meal – with Uber. The newly introduced app allows users to order takeaway food from favorite restaurants. But with a twist. You are still able to order food in a similar format, but this time you can order a meal and have it delivered onto longer distances – and with a dedicated app to serve all your ordering needs. The new UberEATS app is now available on iOS