Snap OS debuts with developer-friendly Spectacles 5 AR glasses

Snap's Spectacles 5 AR glasses which were launched alongside Snap OS and Lens Studio for software developers.

Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has today announced the fifth generation of its ‘Spectacles’ AR glasses. These new see-through, standalone AR glasses are designed to enable users to interact with ‘Lenses’ and experience the world in novel ways alongside friends.

The latest iteration of Spectacles is powered by Snap OS, an operating system crafted to enhance natural interactions with the world. The glasses are now available through Snap's Spectacles Developer...

18 September 2024 | Developer

Unity launches XR app building tools for Apple’s Vision Pro

Unity has officially launched tools for visionOS, Apple's new operating system for its Vision Pro spatial computing headset. The support will allow developers to use Unity's development tools and workflow to build immersive experiences for the Vision Pro.

The announcement comes ahead of the Vision Pro headset's launch on 2 February 2024. Unity's templates, samples and resources will help developers tap into the headset's capabilities using Unity's PolySpatial technology to...

1 February 2024 | Development Tools

Apple releases Xcode 15.2 with Vision Pro support

Apple has released Xcode 15.2, a major update that paves the way for the upcoming Vision Pro headset set to hit the shelves on 2 February.

The new Xcode version introduces support for the Vision Pro headset through the integration of the visionOS SDK, opening up opportunities for developers to craft immersive visionOS apps tailored for this cutting-edge device.

With a focus on refining the visionOS experience, Apple's release notes indicate that Xcode 15.2 incorporates...

9 January 2024 | App Stores

AOUSD unveils roadmap towards OpenUSD standardisation

The Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) has unveiled a roadmap outlining its journey towards establishing OpenUSD (Universal Scene Description) as an international standard.

AOUSD's two-year roadmap is a strategic plan to make OpenUSD an international standard for interoperability in describing 3D scenes and environments.

The Core Specification working group, a key component of this roadmap, will lay the foundation for OpenUSD by defining the structure and interpretation of...

13 December 2023 | Gaming

Apple begins Vision Pro staff training ahead of launch

In the countdown to the release of its highly anticipated Vision Pro, Apple has begun training its staff on the $3,499 mixed-reality headset.

Unveiled in June, the Vision Pro marks Apple’s first major new product line for nearly a decade. According to a Bloomberg report by Apple tipster Mark, seminars for Apple Store staff are slated to commence in January.

Each store in the US is reportedly sending "a few" members for a two-day training session at Apple's Cupertino,...

11 December 2023 | Metaverse

Niantic 8th Wall enhances WebAR with powerful GenAI modules

Niantic 8th Wall is enhancing its WebAR platform with generative AI (GenAI) modules to revolutionise augmented reality experiences.

The fusion of technologies promises to offer developers, brands, and agencies more creative potential and improve users’ augmented reality experiences.

Over the past few months, 8th Wall developers have harnessed the power of GenAI, integrating various cutting-edge GenAI technologies into the WebAR platform.

Current integrations...

1 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Inworld and its AI NPCs are now valued at $500M

Inworld, a trailblazing company at the forefront of AI and gaming, has just closed a fundraising round where it raised a further $50 million.

This latest capital infusion – backed by prominent investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, Stanford University, First Spark Ventures, Samsung Next, LG Technology Ventures, and existing investors like Microsoft’s M12 fund and Intel Capital – brings Inworld's total funding to over $120 million since its inception in...

3 August 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Industry giants form AOUSD to standardise 3D ecosystem

Industry leaders Pixar, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and NVIDIA – in partnership with the Joint Development Foundation (JDF) – have announced the formation of the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD).

The main objective of AOUSD is to promote the standardisation, development, evolution, and growth of Pixar’s Universal Scene Description (USD) technology, thereby advancing the capabilities of Open Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD).

OpenUSD, originally created by Pixar...

2 August 2023 | Developer

Samsung prepares to announce its Vision Pro rival

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm are gearing up for an exciting announcement following their strategic partnership to build next-generation AR/VR products.

During the summer Unpacked event in Seoul, Samsung's president of mobile experience, TM Roh, assured journalists that the plan for a new XR headset and ecosystem is on track and that an official announcement is imminent.

The partnership was first announced six months ago at Samsung's Unpacked event in February in San...

1 August 2023 | Metaverse

Developers will be able to apply for Vision Pro dev kits

Apple is gearing up for its next big leap into the world of spatial computing with the introduction of the Vision Pro. Developers eagerly awaiting their opportunity to prepare apps for the device will be able to apply for dev kits.

Vision Pro is Apple’s first leap into spatial computing. However, without access to the hardware, developers face significant challenges in building and testing their applications for the platform. 

While specific details about the...

6 June 2023 | Developer