 Snap Inc has acquired NextMind, a neurotech startup that is developing a brain-computer interface that Snap can use for its Spectacles AR glasses. NextMind has developed an AR headband that uses sensors to measure the brain's activity using machine learning tools. More: - The Paris-based neurotech developed a headband that enables gamers to control some functions on the computer with their thoughts, such as aiming a gun in a video game or unlocking a password to a smart device.
- NextMind had launched a pair of headbands for $400, but they were discontinued.
- The startup had raised $4.5M at a $13M valuation to date, according to Pitchbook data.
- Snap Inc plans to incorporate this technology in future AR smart glasses, and the 20 employees will remain in France to work in Snap Labs. Some products that we can expect to see in the future include a camera drone, spectacles, and other potential XR gadgets.
- Snap Inc also acquired WaveOptics last year for $500M, and in January, the company bought Compound Photonics to launch new AR products in the market.
- Elon Musk's Neuralink is also working on brain-computer interface technology that literally implants chips in the human brain.
- Valve is also working on an open-source computer-brain interface project called OpenBCI.
- Facebook, now Meta, also has an interest in this space and bought a company called CTRL-Labs in 2019.
The Verge 
| |
 SuperWorld CEO Hrish Lotlikar explains why users are buying virtual land. The company's metaverse platform is based on real-world maps that enable users to buy plots of digital land. More: - The SuperWorld platform consists of 64.8 billion plots of virtual land, each with a corresponding NFT.
- Each plot of digital land is mapped over the real world. Think of this as a digital twin of the physical locations around the world.
- So your home, store, or business might already be located in the Superworld metaverse.
- To buy a plot of land can cost around 0.1 ether, but what is the purpose of buying a plot of virtual land anyway?
- Users can create, discover, and monetize on this digital property using a mobile app.
- The other feature is Live to Earn, which allows users to create assets and drop them anywhere in the metaverse.
- The company will also launch its own token in the future that will give users voting rights in the SuperWorld app.
- Lotlikar explains: "When you buy a plot of land, you're buying virtual land that occupies the surface of the Earth. We've put that on the blockchain. And so when you're buying this land, it is publicly verifiable that you own that block because it's on the Ethereum blockchain."
Indian Express
| |
 A message from CROWDBOTICS Go from ideas to code ridiculously fast. Crowdbotics is a new way to build software – 3x faster, 3x cheaper, and fully transparent with predictable outcomes. Automatically convert Figma design files into code, get started fast with on-demand developer talent, and manage your app’s build progress from a single dashboard. With Crowdbotics, you can: - Move Faster With Modules: Crowdbotics has an ever-growing library of app modules that allow you to build faster and focus more time and energy on unique features.
- Retain Full Ownership of Code: Crowdbotics allows you to audit, customize, and stay compliant long after you’ve launched your app.
- Access Top Developer Talent: Crowdbotics connects you to a network of managed developer talent to help you build faster.
- Reduce Development Costs: The Crowdbotics platform is more transparent and cost-effective than traditional software development options.
Talk to an expert
| |
Investments in the metaverse have kept growing over the past year. ProShares strategist Simon Hyman believes that the metaverse is a "half a trillion-dollar opportunity" for individuals and institutions. More: - The metaverse as it exists today is an immersive experience and not an interconnected platform, and the ecosystem is already making half a trillion dollars, which is likely to double over the years.
- Areas that will see growth include gaming, social media, and entertainment in the metaverse.
- ProShares launched a metaverse ETF (VERS) earlier this month, which will give people access to investment opportunities in the ecosystem.
- VERS is tracking 40 companies in this space in various industries, including gaming, social media, and more.
- Hyman commented, "It's almost like a timeline of innovation over the years, because companies like Microsoft are there, but so is NVIDIA, and of course Meta, but more recent companies like Roblox and even more recently than that, a company like Unity. So this is an evolving opportunity."
- Like ProShares, Roundhill investments also launched a metaverse ETF a few months ago, which gives investors an opportunity to look at the financial performance of emerging companies in this space.
Yahoo
| |
 XR games has acquired Fierce Kaiju, an indie game developer based around Leeds, U.K. The company is welcoming Fierce Kaiju's VR experience but has not disclosed the amount paid. More: - About Fierce Kaiju: The company was founded in 2014 by Dan Roberts and Paul Colls, who have a strong track record of developing successful games, including Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and Call of Duty.
- Fierce Kaiju worked on several exciting projects for the growing virtual reality market. In 2014 the company developed Viral, which was available on the Oculus Store.
- The full team and IP will join XR Games for continued development of VR and immserive gaming experiences.
- XR Games Founder and CEO Bobby Thandi said: "For our first acquisition, we knew we wanted to bring in a team that shared the same vision as XR Games. The experience that Fierce Kaiju brings from working at places such as Rockstar Games and Activision Blizzard will be invaluable when it comes to supporting XR Games' trajectory."
- About XR Games: A game developer studio with an aim to make fun and award-winning games that can be accessed by everyone and have notable awards and recognition in the gaming industry, including VR Game of the Year Finalist 2021, Top 50 Most Innovative Companies, Best Small Studio 2021, and more.
- The company is growing fast and hiring for several positions, including:
- 3D artists,
- senior producer,
- technical artists,
- marketing executive, and more.
XR Games
| |
Big brands like Gucci, Nike, Vans, Ralph Lauren, and Dyson have leveraged virtual reality technology to create immersive experiences for shoppers. Here is a closer look at why brands are entering the metaverse to reach customers. More: - The Alo Yoga store featured its clothing on the Roblox platform, where users could try on and earn a virtual jacket after they completed a five-day meditation practice.
- Sky Canaves, a senior analyst at Insider Intelligence, explained: "The concept of a virtual store that's just a replica of a real-world store is not terribly exciting because there's no need to be bound by four walls or a specific location in the digital world."
- Once the brand creates the virtual store on the Roblox platform, it gives virtual shoppers a variety of immersive experiences that can be accessed through games, AR/VR platforms, and computer images.
- This enables companies to refine their marketing and advertising strategies and reach a new audience.
- Rec Room also launched a virtual shopping center called the Ink Inc. Shopping Center that allows users to "try before they buy" products using avatars. Users have access to furniture, costumes, plushies, and other digital goods.
CNET
| |
 SportsIcon, an NFT platform, will soon launch The Sports Metaverse in June, allowing fans to engage with their favorite athlete. The platform will allow fans to buy and sell digital assets and purchase unique sports NFTs. More: - The sports metaverse platform will allow fans to trade NFTs and buy virtual land to develop their own sports stadiums.
- The platform will launch its own native token called ICONS, which will give the buyer access to masterclasses offered by Romelu Lukaku, a striker with English Premier League soccer club Chelsea.
- Lukaku said: "In The Sports Metaverse, I'm going to coach you on how I take a penalty – one of the hardest moments in my job."
- Premier League champion Manchester City is also teaming up with Sony to launch a unique sporting experience that will feature immersive experiences and a loyalty program for fans.
- The virtual land sale will be open to the public in June that and give fans exclusive access to the fan cave to display their unique NFTs.
Coin Desk
| |
Quick Hits *This is a sponsored post.
| |
Upcoming events at Inside: - March 24 - From requirement to ROI: how data controls accelerate business agility. (Register Here) *
- March 29 - Venturing in VC - Episode #13 with Eurie Kim (Forerunner Ventures) (Register Here)
- March 31 - How To Build In Web 3.0 (Register Here)
- April 04 - Blockchain and the Law (Register Here)
- April 06 - Entertainment in the Metaverse (Register Here)
- April 07 - Road to Autonomy: Sidewalk Robots with Ali Kashani (Serve Robotics) (Register Here)
- April 14 - Shopping In The Metaverse (Register Here)
- April 28 - Alternative Investments 2: Crypto Safety Standards (Register Here)
- May 12 - Making Metaverse Dating a Reality (Register Here)
- May 19 - Understanding Fractionalization (Register Here)
- June 01 - Selling Consumer Goods in Web3 (Register Here)
*This is a sponsored event listing.
| |
 |  | Gia Mattu is based in Calgary, Alberta. She is an entrepreneur with experience in climate technology, drones, AI, machine learning, and blockchain technology. When she's not working, she loves to hike the Canadian Rockies, try new cuisine, and travel. | | | | Editor | Aaron Crutchfield is based in the high desert of California. Over the last two decades, he has spent time writing and editing at various local newspapers and defense contractors in California. When he's not working, he can often be found looking at the latest memes with his kids or working on his 1962 Ford. | |
Go from ideas to code ridiculously fast with Crowdbotics. | |
Comments
Post a Comment