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| Hey Insiders —
🗞️ Today's issue features Apple CEO Tim Cook confirming the Apple Vision Pro scheduled for an early 2024 release, a dive into the leading female eSports players in the U.S., Microsoft advances its $22B HoloLens IVAS contract, and much more.
⏬ Scroll down for some Quick Hits and our Upcoming Events section.
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| 1 | | Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that the Apple Vision Pro, the company's inaugural spatial computing device, is scheduled for an early 2024 release. The announcement was part of the September "Wonderlust" event, featuring new Apple Watch and iPhone 15 models. More: - Apple first introduced the Vision Pro platform in June, signaling its entry into the spatial computing market.
- The device will operate on VisionOS, a specialized operating system developed by Apple for spatial computing.
- Since its introduction, Apple has released several developer betas of visionOS to fine-tune the platform.
- VisionOS will include an App Store, expanding the ecosystem for Apple's new device.
- By default, apps developed for iPhone and iPad will be automatically published to the App Store on Apple Vision Pro.
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What the numbers say: As of February 2023, Katherine Gunn, who goes by the alias Mystik, stood as the top-earning female eSports competitor in the U.S. and was globally ranked third. Financial estimates indicate that she garnered approximately $122,550 from participating in seven eSports events, primarily in Call of Duty. Nina Qual trailed behind her, securing the second spot in the U.S. with an estimated income of $91,000, and was globally ranked sixth.
Relevance: For more than a year, some esports organizations have had all-female teams, yet a significant disparity persists between the number of professional female and male players, as well as in the prize money they receive. A January study by Best Online Casinos reveals that in the U.S., female pros earn just $3.42 for every $100 male players make, and all of the world's top 400 highest-earning esports players are men. | | | |
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| 3 | | Microsoft has completed a hardware trial period with the U.S. Army for its HoloLens Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), thereby securing the continuation of a $22B contract. The company also aims to secure an additional $165M in 2024, specifically for developing IVAS version 1.2. More: - The U.S. Army's Assistant Secretary approved Microsoft's request for a phase two development period for the IVAS device following governmental blockades earlier this year.
- The latest version, IVAS v1.2, incorporates multiple features such as tactical heads-up displays, thermal vision, night vision, and passive targeting to assist soldiers in the field.
- Microsoft has set a target for potential field usage of the IVAS system by the year 2025.
- The U.S. Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee slashed around $350M from the Army's initial $400M procurement request in August 2022, leading to a reduced testing period for IVAS v1.2.
- IVAS v1.2 is designed to come with an integrated digital storefront, allowing soldiers to access mixed-reality applications tailored for specific military field use cases.
Zoom Out: - Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress had blocked a contract that would have facilitated the distribution of roughly 121,000 IVAS devices, citing negative feedback during testing programs.
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| 4 | | The U.K. Ministry of Defense has awarded BAE Systems a £40M ($50M) contract for Striker II Helmet Mounted Displays for Typhoon fighter jet pilots. The new helmets feature night-vision and AR capabilities. More: - The new Striker II will replace the older Striker I, which lacked both night-vision and full-color display features.
- The Striker II helmet projects vital flight data directly onto the pilot's visor.
- The U.K. has been operating 137 Typhoon jets since 2003.
- The helmets are designed to be adaptable to the evolving demands of modern battlespaces, as highlighted by the Defense Minister.
- The integrated night vision in Striker II eliminates the need for pilots to use separate goggles during nocturnal missions.
- The helmet is expected to have a 20-25-year lifespan, while the exact cost hasn't been disclosed.
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| 5 | | Apple's iPhone 15 Pro will feature the ability to capture 3D "spatial videos," designed to be viewed on the new Apple Vision Pro MR headset. This new feature aims to revolutionize how memories are captured and relived. More: - The spatial videos utilize ultrawide and main cameras to create a 3D experience.
- Apple aims to make it easier for users to capture special moments without needing a separate device.
- Anyone with an Apple Vision Pro headset can share and relive these spatial videos.
- Apple has not yet released in-depth technical details about the spatial video recording process.
- The spatial video feature is expected to become available later this year.
- The iPhone 15 Pro costs $999 and features a titanium body with a USB-C port.
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| 6 | | The Grand Slam tennis tournaments have collaborated to introduce the Cross Court Challenge, a unique metaverse experience on Roblox that aims to engage fans in immersive tennis activities. AO Adventure, representing the Australian Open, and Champions of the Court for the U.S. Open serve as the platforms for these interactive experiences. More: - AO Adventure has garnered over 12 million sessions since its launch in January and continues to attract an average of 17,000 visits daily.
- The U.S. Open's Champions of the Court experience allows fans to play matches and go on treasure hunts with avatars of tennis stars Coco Gauff and Billie Jean King.
- To complete the Cross Court Challenge and earn a wearable aura, users must defeat Coco Gauff in three matches and win three doubles matches with another real user.
- Tennis Australia's Senior Manager, Ridley Plummer, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing its role in shaping the future of tennis and attracting a new generation of fans.
- AO Adventure will soon introduce a new mini-game called Tennis Ball Rain, where users compete to collect raining tennis balls.
Zoom Out: - A 2022 study from the journal Interactive Learning Environments called Roblox, "one of the most famous platforms of the Metaverse," which researchers defined as "a sustainable and shared 3-D virtual space."
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| 7 | | QUICK HITS - How much should you pay influencers in Q4? Get the benchmarks in this blog.*
- Based on leaked code, Valve is reportedly preparing to unveil a new Steam Machine to make wireless VR more affordable for entry-level users.
- Meta is launching a new initiative involving 15 U.S. universities that leverages metaverse technologies to offer teachers innovative ways to engage and inspire students.
- The Colorado State Patrol Academy has incorporated VR technology, including goggles and body-worn sensors, to enhance the training experience for cadets.
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*This is a sponsored post. | | | |
| Upcoming Events | | SEP
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