🥽 No Interest In Vision Pro Dev Labs

Good morning folks!

Did you hear that the PSVR-2 racing game Grand Turismo now lets you drive an ambulance? That’s right. You can now kill a hundred people on the road just to save that one patient…just like in GTA. I personally think that this weird addition of a Toyota Ambulance Himedic '21 to the game is a marketing ploy to generate buzz around the Grand Turismo movie, releasing later this month.

Headlines for people in a hurry:

• 🍎 Surprisingly Low Interest In Vision Pro Developer Labs

• 🤖 Verizon & Met Museum Launch AR App For Roblox

• 🥽 Horizon Worlds and Xtadium bring UFC to Quest

• 📰 Tim Cook Says He Uses Vision Pro Daily

Read time: 3 minutes

TOP STORIES

APPLE VISION PRO

Limited Interest In Developer Labs. Devs Not Seeing The Vision?

Apple's Vision Pro is all set to revolutionize the mixed reality world, but it seems the developer community is not quite sharing the excitement. According to a Bloomberg report, the opening of physical "Developer Labs" for the Apple Vision Pro in cities like Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo has attracted only a handful of attendees. These labs were designed to allow developers to try out their applications on the real hardware of the Apple Vision Pro, with on-site support from Apple engineers.

Participants were taken aback by how few people attended, with the event consisting largely of Apple engineers assisting with code troubleshooting. Some developers even complained about the lack of sessions on the US East Coast, hinting that there might have been more interest outside Silicon Valley. Despite the stringent security measures to prevent leaks, the labs were almost without developers.

The $3,499 mixed reality headset is undoubtedly a marvel of technology, but the lukewarm response to the Developer Labs raises questions. Is the price tag too steep? Are developers hesitant to invest in a new platform? Or is it just a matter of logistics and location? I don’t know, but my two cents is if you were planning on selling your kidney to get the Vision Pro, it might be wise to postpone your surgery.

META QUEST

Get Ready to Rumble! Horizon Worlds and Xtadium Bring the UFC to Meta Quest

UFC fans, get ready to step into the ring! Since last year, UFC has been available for Meta Quest, and now, more broadcasts and a UFC world in Horizon Worlds are in the works.

Starting in November 2023, UFC will be a permanent part of Horizon Worlds, with regular VR streams planned. Want to watch with friends? Horizon Worlds lets you interact with other fans, play games, and even win exclusive rewards. Just remember, no virtual punches at the screen, please!

This collaboration between Horizon Worlds and Xtadium is a significant step in bringing sports entertainment into the virtual realm. It's not just about watching; it's about experiencing the UFC like never before. So, grab your Meta Quest and get ready to feel the adrenaline of the UFC, right in your living room!

VISION PRO

Apple CEO Tim Cook Says He's Using Vision Pro Daily

Apple Vision Pro’s No. 1 Fan? It’s Tim Cook himself. During a recent earnings call, Cook revealed he's using Vision Pro daily, calling it "a marvel of engineering." While he's keeping tight-lipped about revenue projections, his excitement is palpable.

Developers, press, analysts – everyone's blown away by the demos. Set to launch early next year, Vision Pro is shaping up to be the real deal. But will it be the next iPhone moment in tech? Only time will tell, but Cook's daily use is a promising sign. He's not just promoting the product; he's living it, and that speaks volumes about Vision Pro's potential.

If all this goes well, it’ll be the product that’ll be associated with Tim Cook’s legacy, just like the iPhone is for Steve Jobs. With Cook's endorsement and the buzz around the demos, Vision Pro is setting the stage for a new era in personal computing.

NEWS FLASH

AUGMENTED REALITY

Verizon & Metropolitan Museum of Art Launch AR App For Roblox

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Verizon have launched "Replica," a unique augmented reality (AR) experience that integrates with Roblox. Available for free on iOS and Android devices, the Replica app allows visitors to scan artwork at the Museum and digitally collect unique pieces inspired by The Met's collection for their Roblox avatar.

The 37 selected artworks are drawn from various galleries, including pieces like Van Gogh's Self-Portrait and Armor of Henry II, King of France. Inside the app, visitors follow clues leading to galleries, and after scanning the artworks, the objects transform into collectible replicas for the Roblox platform

• Border Bots VR: In a light-hearted take on a robotic dystopia, "Border Bots VR" puts players in the role of a human border agent, ensuring robots have the necessary clearance before entering the city. Developed by vTime Games and published by Team17, the game involves analyzing documents for discrepancies and using gadgets like a 3D printer, barcode scanner, and contraband detector. The game is "coming soon" to Quest 2, SteamVR, and PSVR 2.

• I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine: Schell Games has announced the release dates for "I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine," with the Quest version launching on August 17th and the PC VR version coming in September. The third entry in the series continues the escape room-style puzzles, challenging players to outwit deadly traps and defeat the villainous Dr. Zor and his rogue accomplice, Dr. Roxanne Prism. Pre-orders are available on the Meta Quest Store with a 10% discount.

• Pistol Whip's Early 2024 Roadmap: Cloudhead Games has revealed the early 2024 roadmap for "Pistol Whip," highlighting new content and features. The roadmap includes new scenes, modifiers, and a collaboration with popular VR rhythm game "Synth Riders.

UNREAL MONEY

FUNDING REPORT

Hologate Raises $9M In Series A

Hologate, a Munich-based company providing infrastructure for VR arcades and immersive enterprise solutions, has secured €8.3 million (approximately $9.1 million) in a Series A investment round.

Founded in 2013, Hologate's location-based VR network spans 42 countries with over 450 locations, offering experiences like Ghostbusters VR Academy, and has reached more than 18 million people.

In 2020, the company introduced a new division called HGXR, developing immersive training and simulation solutions for clients such as the German Army, police, and the Fraunhofer Institute. The investment round was led by Bolero Holdings and Vester Partners, with participation from Cherry Ventures.

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