Facebook says farewell to the Oculus Go and goes all-in on 6DOF products

Facebook has announced it is discontinuing the Oculus Go, its least expensive VR headset, to go all-in on Quest as part of the 'next chapter' of virtual reality.

An update on the Oculus blog spoke of a 'fond farewell' to Go, which will end sales this year, though the devices have been out of stock for some time. The primary reason for its demise, according to the blog, is user demand for more sophisticateed 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) products.

"Just past the one-year...

24 June 2020 | Developers

Mojo Vision announces breakthrough in ‘invisible computing’ smart contact lenses

California-based startup Mojo Vision is developing a smart contact lens that will have an inbuilt display in what the company is describing as ‘the world’s first true smart contact lens.’

The Mojo Lens provides users with an eyes-up experience known as invisible computing whereby the information is accessed without looking down at a screen or losing focus on surrounding objects.

The invisible computing platform, which allows information to be prompt,...

20 January 2020 | AR

Solving the two biggest problems in AR could lead to a $10 billion increase in value by 2026

Augmented reality (AR) can be seen as a major trend – indeed, its potential is set to outstrip that of virtual reality (VR). But a technical challenge lies ahead.

According to a new whitepaper from Adlens, a provider of adaptive focus lens technologies, alongside analyst Greenlight Insights, solving the two key issues plaguing augmented reality could unlock an incremental $10 billion in addressable market value by 2026.

These issues are focal rivalry and...

9 October 2019 | AR

WaveOptics closes series C funding round at $39 million after additional investment

Here is proof the virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) market is thriving: WaveOptics, a UK-based designer of optical components for augmented reality devices, has announced an additional $13 million (£10m) in funding to close an oversubscribed series C funding round at $39m.

The company aims to solve three primary problems associated with AR wearables; design, cost, and optical performance. The company has a research and development arm, focuses on the optical challenges...

10 September 2019 | Applications

Qualcomm launches reference design for Snapdragon Smart Viewer

Qualcomm Technologies has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Smart Viewer Reference Design, which is a VR form factor built together with Goertek on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 Platform. The Reference Design, launched at the Augmented World Expo 2019 in California, helps in decreasing the time taken in product development of both AR and VR smart viewers.

Hugo Swart, head of XR at Qualcomm, said: “The Snapdragon Smart Viewer Reference Design takes advantage of the XR1...

30 May 2019 | Applications

Nintendo to launch Labo kit for simple and shareable VR experience

Nintendo’s gaming and construction toy platform, Nintendo Labo, will be launching the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit next month.

The Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, which is the fourth kit in the Nintendo Labo series, aims to create a simple and shareable VR experience for users. It provides tools that allow them to make DIY cardboard creations, called Toy-Con. This allows them to play a variety of games and discover how Nintendo Switch technology brings it all to life. 

The VR Kit...

11 March 2019 | Brands

Canadian VR developer Dark Slope accrues more than £1.17 million in seed funding round

Toronto-based VR and AR developer Dark Slope recently closed a seed-funding round in which it accrued more than £1.17 million.

These funds will be utilised to increase the company headcount and develop the company’s free roam technology and its enterprise product line, along with supporting the release of future VR and AR experiences. The company also announced the launch of its first product, the Scarygirl Mission Maybee, which is developed from the scratch for...

14 February 2019 | AR

Vuzix and ST Engineering introduce AI biometric-powered smartglasses platform

US tech firm Vuzix and Singaporean integrated engineering group ST Engineering have introduced an AI biometric-powered smartglasses platform that will enhance productivity of enterprise customers and increase global public safety against the backdrop of rising urbanisation.

The AI biometric-enabled platform, which the companies claim is the world’s first, has been developed as a PaaS (platform as a service) by ST Engineering’s electronics unit. It is a new pay-per-use...

11 January 2019 | Developers

Phiar raises $3 million to develop computer vision and deep learning navigation app

Machine learning and augmented reality provider Phiar has announced a seed funding round of $3 million to develop a computer vision and deep learning navigation app for smartphones, to be launched in app stores in mid-2019. Unlike traditional GPS apps, the Phiar app displays the driver’s real-world surroundings augmented with an easy to follow painted path.

The seed round, co-led by the Venture Reality Fund and Norwest Venture Partners, saw participation from Anorak Ventures,...

6 December 2018 | AR

Google launches Chrome browser on VR Daydream headsets

Google has announced that Chrome, the world’s most popular browser used by 44.5% of users, is now available on its VR (virtual reality) Daydream headsets.

Announced on its blog yesterday, the search and tech giant said users of Google Daydream View and Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream can now launch Chrome directly from their homepage and interact with any webpage while in VR.

Google promises that “all the features you love” on its browser will be accessible,...

31 July 2018 | Developers